This time last year I was probably at my local Applebee's in Apple Valley, Minnesota with old friends catching up on our first semesters of college.. and here I am one year later sitting at my condo in Florida answering business emails on my balcony overlooking the ocean with a tasty beverage to the right of me. I don't know if that's clue enough to you that my life has drastically changed this past year. 2013 brought many highs and lows. Through the thick and thin of this year I am blessed with the direction of my life. Over the years it's sort of become a tradition to outline some of the main things I've learned, so here we go. 2013 taught me:
First off, 2013 taught me to have fun. I think this was the first year that I had genuinely had fun with my life instead of dwelling on what wasn't right. I learned to take advantage and make the best out of every situation and location you're in, because life is way too short to not make a good time. I see too many people seem scared of having too much fun. It's like they think a little fun is going to really hurt them in the end. In the end, I personally believe that you're only going to regret the fun you didn't have..
2013 taught me to not be scared of putting yourself out there. I took a leap of faith with social media's this year and it's crazy how it blew up right in my face. I think it's incredible to think hundreds of thousands of people all around the world know who I am.. and that decision to start posting came from me. I hear so many people say, "I'll start making an effort tomorrow." Life doesn't wait for you to capitalize on opportunities. It's awesome to see where a little confidence and persistence took me this year. I'm set up for some crazy things in 2014 and I couldn't be more excited or ready.
2013 taught me to never be anyone's second best. I was in a relationship for almost a year which fell a part about a month ago. Everything changed and what I thought was one of the best relationships of my life turned out to be wrong. I'm not going to sit here and say that it was fine, because it wasn't. I thought it was going to be one of those "forever" type of things.. I was naive enough to think that actually happens these days. It's all good, if it's meant to work out, it will in the future. If not, well, Ariana Grande is single?
2013 taught me to work harder than ever, even if that means taking on more than you can handle and getting less sleep than you deserve. I'm a full-time college student, D1 athlete, intern, hold a part-time job, manage all this Vine/Instagram/Music madness, plus my social life. It's stressful. I go to bed a 3-4 am and get up at 8-9 AM almost every single day. And next semester it doesn't get easier.. See I'm on this "let's try to graduate college in 2 1/2 years so I can finally live my life" deal which forces me to take 21 credits a semester.. 2013 taught me to work hard, play hard I guess?
2013 taught me to go after what you want and to forget about the people who only want to bring you down. I lost the relationship I had for 16-17 years with my parents when I said I wanted to pursue music. They laughed in my face, cut me off, and that was that. I know what I want and I wasn't going to let their opinion stop me from going after what I'm working so hard for in the future. Besides my parents, there will probably be some other decisions I'll be making within the next few years that some people won't agree with.. and that's completely fine. As long as you're all good with the decisions you're making, don't stress about the hate.
This next one is a work in progress.. 2013 opened my eyes to the fact that sometimes you just need to walk away from the things that aren't worth it anymore. I know there are a few things that I'm involved with that I have absolutely no passion for, yet I still participate. It can be hard to make the decision to let time run it's course or make a drastic decision during a bad time. At the beginning of 2014 I'm going to face some huge decisions to make that could potentially change everything. My gut feeling is to walk away.. and I'll probably end up listening to my gut.
But most of all, I think the most important thing I've learned in 2013 is to try and be happy. Cut all the bullshit out of your life, whether that it is people, activities, things, or actual bull shit. Do you and care less about what others think of it. You're going to get judged either way, so why not do you and screw the rest? (Hint: I'm talking about all the people that will try and hold you back, degrade you to their standards, or leave you feeling bad about yourself/your life everyday). As I get older the more I see the beauty in the things all around me. If you take the time to see the things that make you get out of bed in the morning, you'll start to get that life isn't just about working, the daily grind, etc. It's about enjoying the time you have here. Most of us have 70-90 years on this earth, if that. Why spend that short period of time unhappy? It doesn't make sense. LIVE
Until December 2014,
Will Biernat
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