Growing up, my mom always told me to live with no regrets. I lived my life according to that, or so I thought. College brings a lot of new changes and growth. One thing I can say that I’ve learned, for certain, is what the quote “live life to the fullest” truly means.
*Side note: As I write this article, I’m listening to the song Believe, by Secret Nation. If you want to have a little bit of extra fun while reading this, I encourage you to listen to the song as you do so. It gave me an extra boost of confidence and a desire in my heart to create more amazing memories.
When I was young, I was shy. I still consider myself a quiet person, but I’ve broken through my own comfort zone and decided to truly go for what I want in life, and, as this article is titled, live life to the fullest.
Beginning with my goals… Throughout my years of schooling, the word has been drilled into our heads. It’s important to make goals, but I like to envision what they will actually look like, and I encourage you to do the same. After all, your goal is your future. What makes your heart stir? Go for it! If you fail, try again. Life is about experiencing moments and learning from them. In order to live with no regrets, you have to be willing to take a little risk. I guarantee it’s worth it. Find inspiration in the people, places, and things around you. And once a dream takes hold of your heart, it’ll be hard to forget. Once you know what you want your life to look like, stop at nothing to reach it. Grasp hold of opportunities, even if you’re nervous. And always remember, everything happens for a reason.
And like I said before, goals are important—in fact, they’re essential. But, it’s not just the “big things” in life that make it special. I’ve learned that living life to the fullest truly is about the little moments.
- Take a little me-time for yourself. Reflect on your days: the happiness, sadness, and all emotions in between.
- DO more. EXPERIENCE more. TRY new things. That may seem obvious but step out of your comfort zone! Put yourself out there to try something new. Surprise yourself. Those moments turn into memories, cherished for years to come.
- Say hi. It’s a simple suggestion but brings so much joy. I encourage you—if you see someone on campus, at work, around town, etc., and you want to say hi, say hi! I’ve learned the power of a simple hello and how much it can brighten someone’s day. In fact, talk to someone new. You may find that you’ve made a new friend.
- Take risks. Be nervous. Tackle a new project, class, job, or leadership position. Or, as I’ve mentioned earlier, put yourself out into the world in a way that allows you to meet new people or find a new hobby. College is a great place for “new”; whether it be a sport, hobby, club, activity, passion, etc., this is a great atmosphere to try.
- Travel. And it doesn’t have to be a lengthy distance either. Traveling the world is a dream of mine, but for now, I keep it small. Explore the city you live in, try new restaurants, go hiking, go on a run—there are endless ways to find adventure in your own surroundings.
- Spend time with friends. This one, again, may seem like an obvious suggestion. Cherish those closest to you though. They are the ones by your side through the highs and lows of life and the people in all your memories. Have fun. It’s simple, but true.
- Be intentional. In high school I had a teacher that told me to “walk with a purpose.” I appreciate that phrase so much more now. Be positive and kind to others, and know who you are at your core. Radiate it out into the world.
- Above all, trust in the Lord. Psalm 34:10 says, “even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.” Living life to the fullest is also about being aware of God’s plan, and understanding that although there are struggles, there are also the moments of pure happiness. Praise Him, for He is good.
It has been said that “in the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.” I’ve learned that “living life to the fullest” means taking those chances, going outside of your comfort zone, and really living with no regrets. Find what makes you happy and seek it out. Along the way, you’ll experience great things and meet even greater people. And if you know who you are at your core, radiating it to the world, others will notice.
Sebastian Stan once said, “Listen, life is f*cking hard. But it’s also good. We have to just BE. HERE. NOW. And then begin.” I found this really inspiring; just be, and then begin. Below I have a picture of my favorite poem at the moment… I hope it stirs up the dreams in your heart, as it does to mine…enjoy!