I am a person who thrives off of setting goals. I like to think realistically about the path ahead of me and break it down into the steps I need to take in order for it to be a walkable one. Sometimes it’s planning to brush some of the leaves out of the way on the path, tightening the laces on my shoes as I go, or just stopping every once in a while to soak up the view around me. 

My resolutions for 2024 are reminders to myself as I continue on my path. This is my last semester at Jewell, so of course I have graduating as a resolution. I also have reminders for myself because I know a goal isn’t as easy to manifest as it is to write it down. The reminders are going to keep propelling me through the tough days and allow me to realize how far I’ve come since the fall of 2020 when I first started at Jewell. When I stray from my path or want to stop walking it completely, these resolutions are my signposts.

Another resolution of mine is to save money and replenish my savings. I had a similar goal for 2023, but I am carrying it over into the new year because I want to continue to be conscious about my finances and work on improving my spending habits. I have some goals in 2023 that I felt I achieved but are still worth rolling over into this year simply because I felt they were good for me and are worthy skills to keep cultivating. 

One of those goals included feeling my emotions fiercely instead of bottling them up. For years, I have suppressed my true feelings and have let a numbing state wash over me when it came to looking my past in the face. That came back to bite me in the ass in moments where I felt overwhelmed when I allowed myself to feel anything at all. That is when I made a vow to myself to take whatever time I need to process things the way that I feel fit (taking time to cry, to journal, to truly feel my anger or sadness towards a situation, etc.) Another resolution that I rolled over into this year was taking the time to stop and live in the present moment as often as possible. I lost someone really close to me in my life, and that reminds me to be grateful for every day I have, even if it is an utterly mundane day.

My final resolution is to speak up for myself and speak my mind. In a group setting, I don’t usually tend to speak up when something bothers me, and I think that my kindness is often taken for weakness. This will be a more challenging goal for me because I am not a confrontational person, but I know growth will come hand in hand with discomfort.

Overall, I know that 2024 is going to bring many new opportunities and growth, and I am ready to embrace it with open arms.

We did it. We passed the dreaded time of year when the only question people have for us is what we are going to change about ourselves in the new year. Will we give up soda or sweets, will we run a marathon or a 5K, will we save money or lose weight – who knows? While resolutions can be good things if we stick to them, I propose that in this new year we should focus on reducing stress – not adding to it. Mental health is something everyone deals with in one way or another, and it’s important. In 2020 we need to remember to relax and take a breather every once in a while. I’ve compiled a list of some simple stress-relieving ideas that anyone can pick up on the fly to create a more zen environment.

Write it out

While this first one on the list may seem daunting to a college student already tired of writing essays all year, it can help pinpoint the stressors in your life. Simply picking up a pen and letting out what is bothering you can really help you find ways to solve the problems in front of you. A laptop works too, but I recommend good old fashioned paper to really let the emotions fill the page. If it helps, you can get creative and turn your feelings into poetry or a short story. Whatever comes out of it can stay completely private or can be shared to connect with others that you may not have known feel the same way. Even burning the pages may be therapeutic.

Practice painting

While this is an obvious and potentially overused stress relief strategy, I feel it has proved its worth by being a tried and true method of relaxation. Letting the brush slide over the canvas just really melts the worries away. Remember that this isn’t art class, and what you produce doesn’t have to be perfect. Just take some time for yourself and see what you can create. Maybe pick a color that describes what you’re feeling at the time and let the brush do the talking. Play some peaceful music – or some hard rock if that’s what you need – and get lost in the wonders of art. It doesn’t even have to be painting, just pick a creative hobby and get to work. There are no deadlines, rules or pressure, just a safe space to let it all out.

Meditate and rejuvenate

Meditation can be a huge help with stress. Simply taking time to slow down and be mindful of each thought that passes through your head can help calm the body and relax the mind. There are many guides to meditation, and you can find one that works for you. If you find it’s not your cup of tea, then look for other ways to help rejuvenate your body. Taking a walk, exercising, or even taking a good nap can help bring life back into your body, which will transfer those good feelings to your mind. Practicing good skin care and hygiene will make you feel good physically, which can be very mentally beneficial. Yoga is another great way to combat stress. Sometimes it’s easiest to work on the body first so that you are free to focus on the mind without distraction.

Spend time with loved ones

While at times the stress in our lives can be caused by those we love, it’s always a good idea to let the people around you know what you’re going through because you never know who can help. Venting to a good friend about what is going on can help relieve some of the pressure of keeping in what is bothering you. While going to counseling is the best option in many situations, sometimes it feels more comfortable to talk to a friend or family member. Talking through the stress can help combat feeling overwhelmed by it and can make it more manageable. But really there’s no deep talks necessary for this stress relief. Just spend some time with the people you care about and let them lift your mood. Catch a movie or grab some ice cream. Even just sitting and being in each others’ company can make the world feel a little smaller and not so overpowering. Love is a powerful feeling, and even stress is no match for some good family time.

Reorganize and plan

When all else fails, you may need to look at how full your plate is. Writing out your schedule and planning your week may seem daunting, but being able to see how everything fits together can relieve some of the stress of not knowing how you’ll get everything done. Remember it’s okay to say no. If there is too much to do it’s okay to take a step back and focus on yourself and your mental health. If your week looks hectic and unmanageable then see if you can postpone a meeting or keep a space free for some time to yourself. We all put immense pressure on ourselves to live active and outgoing lifestyles, especially in college, and that’s great – but sometimes we can overwork ourselves, and we need to know our limits. Everyone deals with stress, and people will understand if you just need a breather.

There are many more techniques and ideas to combat stress, and the best advice I can give is to find what’s right for you. If you find that meditation or writing isn’t helping, switch to a fun hobby or take some alone time in the gym. Figure out what you can fit into your schedule and make sure finding a stress relief doesn’t backfire and cause more stress. Remember that this is for you and your health and wellbeing. What works for your best friend may not work for you, and that’s okay. Focus on yourself and your mental health and let your 2020, and every year to come, be stress-free.

Since 1999, Pantone has issued a Color of the Year meant to encapsulate fashion trends, interior design, art and culture. The color is supposed to symbolize how the world is feeling at the end of one year and what we hope for in the coming year. This year, Pantone made a simplistic yet bold choice for the 2020 Color of the Year – Classic Blue. 

“Instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era,” the company said at the color unveiling in December. 

As we enter this new decade, the world seems anything but calm and confident. 2020 has already seen devastating fires, political chaos and tragic deaths of beloved icons. Classic Blue – something serene and familiar – might be just what we all need. 

These are the sort of things the Pantone Color Institute considers when choosing their color of the year. Their website says that art, fashion, lifestyles, social media, food, travel destinations and color psychology all factor into their final decision. 

The blue shade also brings to mind the history of the Color of the Year. In 1999, when Pantone launched the first color of the year, they chose Cerulean, a lighter, more energetic shade of the same color family. Pantone said the color was chosen to reflect anxiety about the new millennium, as well as the excitement for what’s to come. 

Cerulean no doubt had a huge cultural impact that year, covering the runway, taking center stage in new art and home design and inspiring the classic speech by Miranda Priestly in “The Devil Wears Prada.” Expect to see Classic Blue take on a bigger role in fashion, film and photography in the coming months. 

This is why the artists and designers behind the Color of the Year place so much significance on what the color means to people. While we might look at classic blue and see a tried and trusted color, the artist and designers see an evening sky, a sense of culture and comfort and a feeling of reassurance that everything is going to be okay. 

But however comfortable and familiar Classic Blue might be, it’s also reflective of progressive movements. The shade is genderless and timeless, meant to be loved and worn by everyone. In America, blue is the color of the Democratic Party, and may be seen as a not-so-subtle nod to the 2020 Presidential Election. 

Classic Blue is also indicative of nature, as the color brings to mind the sky at dusk and the sea in the mornings. Since the color can be obtained from natural plants, it was one of the earliest dyes and fits in with calls for sustainable fashion. 

However, Classic Blue doesn’t mean the same for everyone. What some see as evocative of dependability and tranquility, others relate to mourning or depression. They see a dangerous call for loyalty, order and the “good ol’ days.” For some it even calls to mind raging masculinity and patriarchal power. 

Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft’s use of the shade has also redefined the color, and many now associate it with technology dependence, data mining and the darker side of social media. 

Whatever the shade means to you, industries throughout the world turn to the Color of the Year for inspiration and direction. In a world where nothing seems secure, one thing is certain – Classic Blue is making a comeback.