LIFE

Sometimes it feels like all you want to do is grow up. You can't wait to do whatever you want and be who you want to be. That’s all well and good, but what's not is getting so caught up in the future that you forget to make the most of what’s happening in your life right now. There’s no time like the present! Here are some simple opportunities you have to improve your life right now before you regret not taking them later on.

Exercise. The older and busier you get, the harder it is to motivate yourself to get in shape. Start now and work your way up by making fitness part of your daily routine; take the stairs, walk the dog as much as you can or start taking yoga classes. You don’t have to be a bodybuilder to take care of yourself and live a healthy lifestyle. The earlier on you make it a normal part of your life, the better off you will be.

Save money. Don’t waste your money on shoes you’ll outgrow or clothes that will be out of style by next year. There will come a day long after you got rid of all those clothes when you’ll want to buy something you actually need (like a car) and you’ll wish that money was still in your savings account. It’s okay to splurge sometimes, but just be smart about it and don’t spend every penny you have.

Spend time with your family. We know they all seem so annoying now, but before you know it you’ll be off to college and you’ll miss them like crazy. Cook with your mom, pass a soccer ball with your little sister or ask your dad for school advice. Like it or not, you only have one family, so make sure you’re not taking them for granted.

Try something new. Learn to play an instrument, try a new sport or take a pottery class. Do something that’s always intrigued you, or grab a friend and join a random club just for fun. Right now, you (hopefully) don’t have college applications, bills to pay or kids to feed. It’s never too late to try something new, but why not do it now? What’s stopping you?

Live in the moment. It’s so easy to get caught up in planning the future, but make sure you don’t miss out on all the little things. Sing in the shower, decorate your locker at school and tell your friend you think her skirt is cute. Do anything that makes you enjoy the moment you’re in as much as possible.

What's something you've always wanted to try? Tell us about it in the comments below! 

by Alexis Ancel | 9/28/2018