The art of being different!

While living in an evolving world where everyone wants to make a difference and referring to anything unusual as “unique”. Yet, we still can’t accept the differences between us, nor accept the reality that feels unacceptable sometimes.

We are destined to be different and to go through the difference for a reason! Everything has been timed precisely for us, there’s no such thing as a coincidence (this word has wasted a precious space in our dictionaries). Therefore, rebellion against reality will not change the situation, acknowledging the hidden value does.

So, if you’re a student, who’s been constantly feeling overwhelmed and falling behind your peers, or someone dreaming of getting a better career that promises a bright future, however, you feel you’re not where you should be in life, then this should be a reminder not to let anxiety ruin the quality of your life! We know it’s easier said than done, but happiness should be your optimal priority, not the last. As Kurl Vonnegut once said: enjoy the little things in life because one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.

Being a student myself for 29 years, I’ve regretted these mistakes, wasting many of those precious years stressing about things that I had no control over. Admiring the differences of others, while ignoring mine. So here are a few of the lessons that I wish someone would have taught me earlier in life.

1 – College and career paths could be very competitive, so don’t expect to get every goal you aim for. Sometimes those closed doors can lead you to your true passion, or to embrace your difference, so trust the flow!

2 – Think Kaizen (a Japanese philosophy) that focuses on gradually improving ourselves to gain substantial change over time. And this is the best time to start fixing yourself!

3 – Stop complaining,  and instead set yourself in the habit of learning something new every time you tackle an issue, and notice how smoothly things will start resolving themselves.

4 – If you’re a student, learn for the sake of learning, not passing. This would’ve saved me so much time and effort, trying to re-learn and integrate the valuable information I’ve missed. Everything we learn is accumulative and will sound valuable when it’s needed.

5 – Adjust your expectations, and redefine your success. It’s all about perception, and everyone has their own definition of success. For some, it means getting married at 23 and having kids, while for others it’s about self-development. So focus on the path that fits your current situation, not others.

6 – Accept and reframe the situation. When life starts throwing curveballs your way, try not to look at it as bad luck or punishment! Instead, look at it from a different viewpoint, as life gives its hardest battles to its toughest soldiers, and you got promoted to be one of them!

7 – Alter your thoughts to cease any stressful situation. Every time stressful thoughts roam around, just interrupt them!

8 – Avoid unnecessary stress. If you get stressed out easily, then you need to distinguish between temporary and permanent solutions. For a quick fix, the following steps will help you tremendously in managing stress:

• • Practice { 4-7-8} breathing technique: Basically breathe in quietly for 4 seconds, hold the breath for a count of 7 seconds, and exhale forcefully through the mouth for 8 seconds. Repeat the cycle up to 4 times.
  • Consider supplements: Omega 3’s fatty acids, vitamin B complex, and magnesium. 
  • Meditate and exercise.
• For permanent solutions, write down the things that trigger stress, whether they’re job-related, heath issues, or study work. And start to work on them individually until you see the results you’re looking for.

9 – Last but not least, get your thoughts organized! You will not believe how this can save you unnecessary stress-related issues. Utilizing simple tools you could find online will not only impact the quality of your life but will also impact the quality of your relationship with others around you.