There are many things in life that I consider necessary to be happy. I am sure that most people have requirements in life that keep them afloat. With a full time job or a demanding school schedule, some things can seem too out of reach. For me, prioritizing family and travel is something that I want to become non-negotiable. Why is finding time to live life outside the parameters of a campus or cubicle so difficult?
Creating space for your necessities is a key factor. You won’t have time to do anything if you don’t make the time. Carve out a piece of your day or weekend to do the things that you need to stay content. With travel and family being two of my desirable necessities, I have found ways to incorporate these into my schedule. Below are a few things I want to start implementing into my life to make these non-negotiables work.
My non-negotiables:
- Take small trips: Over the course of the next semester, taking small trips on the weekend is something that I want to begin doing regularly. Going to a local snow ski place in the winter or visiting the farmers market in the spring are experiences I can share with others. I wrote about turning everything into an adventure in a previous post. Even if I am not able to make it out of Iowa every weekend, there is always something to go see or do.
- Visit family more often: Because I am living three hours away from home during school, visiting family can feel like a task at times. When I do, however, I always feel refreshed and consider the trip a vacation. Visiting family and friends that don’t live near is something that many of us may benefit from-even if it feels like a task at first.
When all is said and done, it truly is the small things that matter the most. Spend your time with those you care about, and do the things that you have always wanted to do. Make the most of the life you have been given. Don’t get blinded by the tasks we are told to care about!