A Whole New World

A very wise fictional teenager once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” I couldn’t agree more, Mr. Bueller.
It’s so easy to get swept up into schedules: classes, assignments, even people blurring into each other, making all the days of the week melt into a colorless lump. Ew. Who wants a life that can only be described as a colorless lump?
Don’t let your life spin out of control into endless monotony. There are some simple things that you can do to prevent mundane-ness in your life without failing school. I took a mini survey and have compiled a list of simple, yet extremely effective activities that will help you say “bye-bye” to boredom:
1. Say hello to a stranger – Don’t try to hide it, everyone loves get a random salutation every once in a while, and let me assure you, it feels just as fabulous to give one. You don’t have to tackle anyone in the streets, just acknowledge someone else’s existence. It can be subtle, like chatting with whoever is behind you in the Starbucks line, or you can get a little crazy and hug the first stranger you see on your morning commute. However, I can say from experience, the latter may result in some bruising.
2. Sing a Disney song – Puh-leeze, I know you still know all the words from “The Circle of Life.” Now grace the world with that melodious sound that erupts from your wind pipes! So what if your version of “Make a Man Out of You” resembles the shrieks of dying monkeys? Ignore the way your roommate obviously plots to murder you every time you burst into “Be Our Guest.” Singing is good for the soul and singing Disney is the best way to let out that quirky inner child that so desperately wants to throw paper airplanes during Philosophy class.
3. Get lost – Yeah, that’s right, punk; GET LOST. Hop on the Metro and get off at a random spot. Explore. Give tourists directions. Listen to the sound of your footsteps hitting the pavement. Love your city. Walk through a museum - you might learn something. Or if it’s time you lack, just take a stroll around a part of campus that you never see. If you are sick of our fair campus, try hunting for the albino squirrel that lives near the art building. He’s quite the character.
4. Make friends with a tree – If walking really isn’t your thing, try sitting. Give your tush a rest from sitting in cold hard plastic classroom chairs and pop a squat under a tree. WARNING: Making friends with a tree does not require speaking to the tree. I really do not suggest it, unless you want to be referred to as “Tree Girl” – this could be crushing to your reputation, especially if you are, in fact, a boy. But seriously, try being a temporary hippie – stare at the sky, ponder the meaning of life, meditate, be aware of how welcoming the tree is, with is strong trunk and protective branches. Or you could always do homework.
5. Write a poem – This one is my personal favorite. Start with one word and try to find as many words as you can that rhyme with it. Write down a conversation you hear and make up a little story about it. Poems don’t have to rhyme and they don’t have to be anything spectacular – just use your pen as a creative outlet extraordinaire. Draw a little picture or write something sweet or funny on a scrap of paper and leave it for someone to find. It will not only make their day but will leave you with a unique fulfillment similar to that of having a secret. Tee hee!
I’m sure you and your friends could come up with about 500 different ways to kick monotony in the face, so get out there and start living the dream, people! You’re only young once, and life is short, and all that, but truly, the only way to avoid living on repeat is to constantly remind yourself that the world is beautiful. Good luck!