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The student news site of Colonia High School

The Declaration

The student news site of Colonia High School

The Declaration

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Five simple things you can do to change your life forever

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Photo Credit: DeAndre Oglesby
These five simple changes that can improve your life forever.

Most people want change to happen in their lives. However, not everyone is willing to change themselves. But, if you are willing to change these five simple things, your life will improve forever!

Tip #1: Meditate

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America says that about 18% of American adults suffer from anxiety. Additionally, most people become anxious or nervous every now and then. Meditation can be a good way to combat anxiety. Meditating every morning can help you be more positive and help clear your mind.

Now one common misconception about meditation is that you need to clear your mind completely. But on the contrary, clearing your mind is impossible! A living human brain is incapable of complete lack of thought, enlightenment or clarity of mind can be achieved with the mind still in action. 

The main point of meditation is to get a level head and calm down. If you have trouble doing so, you can do guided meditation. There are a plethora of guided meditation videos on YouTube that you can check out.

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Furthermore, Pacifica is an amazing app for guided meditation and helping with mental health in general. Check out this article if you want more information on the app. You can download it for free in the App Store or the Google Play Store. 

Tip #2: Keep a journal

Whenever you have a problem, you might go to a friend, family member, or therapist to talk about it. However, not everyone feels comfortable talking about their problems or can afford therapy sessions. But there is a good alternative; you may keep a journal.

Keeping a journal is a good way to get your thoughts down on paper that you can’t share with other people. Now you might be saying that you’re not good at writing. But the good thing about a journal is that no one else is going to see it but you. So who cares if it’s grammatically incorrect? Draw pictures, cross things out, use the pages as tissues if you’re crying. It’s your journal, so do whatever you want!

Tip #3: Listen to motivational videos

Most people would agree that waking up in the morning can be a challenge. Listening to motivational videos is an awesome method to give you the extra umph you need.

Motivational videos provide great advice from great motivational speakers like Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, Les Brown, and many more. And the best part is, there’s an infinite number of these types of videos you can find online. However, listening to them isn’t enough. You should implement what’s said in motivational videos into your everyday life; because if you don’t, there’s no point in listening to them. That’s like going to school and not learning a single.

Tip #4: Listen to upbeat music in the morning

This one kind of goes along with the last one. Just like with motivational videos, upbeat music can put you in an optimistic mood that’ll carry with you throughout the day.

In fact, I set my alarm to Gonna Fly Now from Rocky. It’s an amazing song it always gets me pumped. It makes me feel like I can punch a mountain in half! But why stop at one song? Just make an entire playlist! You’re gonna think this is lame, but I have a playlist on MUSI (a music app, free in the App Store and Google Play) called The Gentlemen’s Playlist. It’s filled with songs from classic singers like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

So whatever music fits your taste, put it on a playlist, and blast it every single morning when you wake up!

Tip #5: Plan things out

“You can’t just be a good worker, you’ve got to be a good planner,” Jim Rohn once said.

Making goals is one thing, but planning them out is another. If you set a goal but don’t plan out how you’re going to accomplish it, it’s no longer a goal. Your “goal” just becomes a wish.

Many people go to their graves with many regrets. People wish that they could’ve done better in school, or that they should’ve asked a certain person out, or that they should’ve followed their dreams. But you don’t have to let that be you. Life is too short to just be sitting around tapping away on our smartphones.  

But probably the most important part about making a plan is being patient and following through. Achieving goals can take time. Let’s take a long-term goal like buying a car. You might have to work more hours and save money. Sure it might take a while but in the end, it’ll be worth it. So you have to follow through with your plan every day!

In summation, whether it be losing weight, getting straight As, coming out to your parents, making the varsity team, or getting a job, set your goals, and make a plan, and follow through. 

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About the Contributor
DeAndre Oglesby, Senior Editor
DeAndre Oglesby is a 17-year-old from Colonia New Jersey. He was born on December 7, 2000 at JFK Hospital. His nationality is African Bajan American (his mother is from the island of Barbados). Oglesby is the youngest of four children. He has two sisters and one brother. Currently, he is a senior at Colonia High School. Oglesby is quite active at school. Some of the clubs that he's in are newspaper club, LGBT club, SLAC, Anime, and many more. A few of his favorite hobbies are art, photography, poetry, writing, and YouTube. Oglesby identifies as nonbinary, and wants to change his name legally to Andie J. Lewis after high school. One of his biggest dreams is to open a school for children who are more gifted in the arts rather than academics.

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Five simple things you can do to change your life forever