19 Things To Do/Try In 2019

Here are 19 things to do/try in 2019 to make it the best year ever!

1. Get your sleep schedule in check & become a morning person – I know, I know. It’s easier said than done to click out of Netflix when you’re 7 seasons deep in Friends, but your health will thank you. Sleep is something a lot of us can easily neglect, but try not to forget about all the benefits it can have on your mind and body. From being good for your heart, to spurring creativity; having a look into just some of the benefits might help you put the phone away a little bit earlier each night. In my first year of college I fell into the dark hole, waking up at 1pm and never using my hours quite as productively as I should have. But I made a conscious decision to force myself, as difficult as it was, to get up at 7am. And believe it or not now I’m not quite sure how I managed without those extra few hours in the morning.
2. Learning a new skill – If you’re still in school/college it can be difficult to dedicate time to learning something new. But take cooking for example, why not start off by trying to cook yourself just one new meal a week? Or if cooking isn’t your thing but something like photography is, try being more conscious of your surroundings and snap some pictures whenever you can. Even if it’s just for fun or making for a very aesthetically pleasing Insta!
3. Plan a getaway – Whether it’s a weekend away, a holiday abroad or simply a day out, plan something with your friends or your family. It’s always good to give yourself something to look forward to. 
4. Go to a concert you wouldn’t usually go to – Grab a friend or a group and go to a concert of a genre you might not usually attend. Let’s face it, live music is great and something like this can be so much fun! It doesn’t have to be a big gig where you fork out €50 on a ticket, try attending in one of the smaller venues for a change from your standard night out.
5. Do something for your mind – The start of a new year seems to always bring about the ambitions to lose weight or stick with a new gym routine, but seldom to take up habits that benefit our mental health. Try doing meditation a few times a week, or if it’s even just taking 10 minutes out of your day to do something which calms you (preferably not technology related!) then that will be a step in the right direction too. 
6. Buy a planner, and USE it! – We all are guilty of owning about 10 different notebooks, buying them purely because of the cute cover and never really finding a use for it. But some studies have shown that the simple to-do list is actually hugely effective and helps your productivity. The tasks don’t have to be big, in fact it’s probably better starting out small, and make sure to tick them off as you go along. It may sound silly but the act of completing a task and checking it off has a positive effect on the mind, helping you remain focused and productive.
7. Read a new book – Whether it’s reading for pleasure to distract your mind from life’s stresses or a self-help book, pick up one you think you may enjoy or learn something from. Make a conscious effort to set aside some time in the evening or a certain number of pages to read each day. 
8. Try a new food – Throw back those oysters and taste those extra spicy chicken wings – be brave! You might find your new favourite food.
9. Be savvy – Being more conscious of your spending is something that can only bring benefits. Try gathering any loose change and putting it into a jar for a rainy day. If you have a bigger, more steady income why not set up a bank transfer to take a % of your paycheck every week or month? 
10. Break a bad habit – Biting your nails or consuming too much sugar, there’s no time like the present to try kick your bad habits. 
11. Be in control of yourself – Become more aware of your emotions and how you feel/react to certain situations. You are in control of your reaction to things and while you can’t choose the situations you find yourself in, you can play a part in the outcome. Be in charge of your emotions and the rest will follow.
12. Don’t feel obliged to please everyone – At the end of the day the person who matters most is you. By no means am I promoting an attitude of selfishness, but remember you don’t have to put others before yourself and please everyone. Do what’s best for YOU.
13. Start giving back – Instead of just throwing what you consider old or useless clothes into the bin, drop them off at your local charity shop where someone may appreciate them more than you know. You could also try volunteering at a local dog shelter, not only are you giving help where it’s needed but think of ALL THE PUPPIES! Heaven. 
14. Get moving – Not necessarily saying you have to enroll yourself in HIIT classes (high intensity interval training), but at least try hitting your 10,000 step count each day. 
15. Declutter – Set aside a few hours to sort out your room and get rid of any unnecessary clutter. Try not end up sitting on your floor for hours going through all the items you forgot you had. Chances are, if you forgot you even had it, you probably don’t need it. And if you haven’t worn something in the past 3 months, maybe it’s time to let someone else give it a new lease on life. Not only will decluttering help you feel so much more organised, organised homes are linked with less stressed, healthier, and happier people. 
16. Build a capsule wardrobe – This is something that is a work in progress for me. A capsule wardrobe basically means owning a few basic, essential items that never really go out of style, as a result it is easier to mix and match your items of clothing. You can still bring in seasonal trends but having a few basics instead of constantly impulsively buying is not only better for the environment, but better for your pocket.
17. Get a taste for your dreams – Lacking motivation in regards to where you want to get in your career/life? Give yourself a taste of what it is you want. Want to get into journalism? Try get some work experience at your local newspaper or radio station or give us a shout at missy.ie! If you’re dreaming big and aiming for the finer things in life, spend a night in a swanky hotel or eat out in a fancy restaurant. Put yourself exactly where you want to be, and pretend you’ve already made it!
18. Have a digital detox – This is one I will definitely be giving a go myself. As something that has probably crossed everyones minds, the amount of time we spend glued to our phones and laptops is pretty worrying. If you can turn off your phone for just an hour a day and give yourself a break from social media and technology in general, it will do you the world of good. 
19. Don’t let fear dictate your decisions – How many times have you dreaded doing something, only to later say to yourself “That wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be…”? Probably a lot. Fear comes to us all, but some of us are better at pushing through it than others. In 2019, take small steps to push yourself outside your comfort zone and conquer your fears. 

What’s on your list of things to do/try in 2019?