The Ana Edit Issue #9: Life Lessons
15 Things I Have Learned in My 15 Years of Life
Ana's Corner
For once, not to denigrate my life, I have multiple new, interesting developments. Perhaps the most significant change with which I will begin is a dietary one. I have decided, after grappling with the decision for a long time, to go vegan. I have been eating an entirely vegan diet for about a week now, and I feel great! Take everything I write with a grain of salt because a few days is not enough time to draw a meaningful conclusion, but so far, so good. The first thing I have noticed, not to be grotesque, but I have had regular bowel movements, more so than usual. Need I say more? Another wonderful newfound benefit is my energy levels have surged. Now, this could be to a multitude of factors that I have no possible way of ascertaining, but I am merely reporting what I have found. In a few blog posts from now, I will update you on my findings. For any new vegans out there, I am offering my humble advice. First, designate time to meal prep. At least for me, has taken time out of my days because of the shift from instant meals to whole foods. Whole foods tend to take more time to cook or bake, bar vegetables and fruits. I plan to have an hour on Sundays to prepare the bulk of my meals so that sticking to this dietary preference is out of sight, out of mind. Lastly, I have discovered a stellar blog that perfectly summarizes the diet, with resources linked concisely. Here is the link which you can view on your own time if you so please: https://thegreenloot.com/going-vegan-guide-beginners/
The next vicissitude on which I briefly want to touch is the back to school season. I know it is beating a dead horse for most, but the erratic nature of my school's management warrants a discussion. I would like to preface this by disclaiming I sympathize with all the faculty and school officials who have had to handle the new school year and the volatile nature of COVID. The less than ideal reality is not wholly their fault, and I am eternally grateful for the care and energy they have put into making the school year as tolerable as possible. However, I reserve the prerogative to air my concerns and discontent with the system. Like many other students, I am forced to adjust to an ever-changing system while being presented with lackluster options. This is the reality we have to accept, but lamentation is a, in my opinion, natural response. For those that are unfamiliar with the predicament in New York, the Department of Education presented students with two options: blended or all online school. 100% virtual school would be a culmination of asynchronous and synchronous work, work done without and with the teacher, respectively.
As for blended, there would be a rotation of cohorts (groups) with two groups coming in for 2 days a week and 1 group for 1 day. On the days a student was not in school, they were expected to resume learning at home. The issue with the system-one of them at least-is two sets of teachers were needed. If a student is in class learning AP Calculus with a teacher called Mrs. Amanda, Mrs. Amanda could not teach the class of students at home. Therefore, a substitute was needed as a placeholder. The system was theoretically abhorrent and likely atrocious in fruition as well. When my school realized this, they canceled plans and revised the approach. Instead of the former system, all teachers would teach virtually, and blended kids would follow the virtual schedule from school. They would be in a classroom with a supervisor, and they would imitate the exact schedule they would follow at home, meaning they would have to drudge up the energy to get up earlier to get to school, get dressed, and make a commute only to do the exact same routine they could do from the comfort of their abode. I am one of those students. Needless to say, it is not a munificent situation. Others and I have decided to opt-out of this system but until our decision is finalized and the school receives it, we have been going to school with our endless gadgets (we actually cannot do school without them) and endured. As a very extroverted person, not being permitted to speak to others between classes or move my limbs was difficult, but there are greater issues in the world, so I am merely glad I have access to education because it is truly a luxury.
15 Things I Have Learned
Nothing is Forever. Be Grateful For What You Have Because Most Things Are Ephemeral
1.When I was a mere babe, I proclaimed I would forever be BFFs with a girl named Jessiral (pseudonym). I believed with conviction she was the Yin to my Yang, the peanut butter to my jelly, the person who complemented my personality. Today, Jessiral and I are far from friends. In fact, we have not exchanged a line of thought in a year, give or take. If a friendship that persisted for 8 years can combust in less than months, it goes to show one can never predict if things will bode well. On the flip side, I had a positive change in my life when I went from feeling ostracized and alone to loved and valued. Thus, I have learned situations are as fluid as time, always changing.
Knowledge is Power: Cultivate Your Mind
2.Kids will often retort there is no purpose to learning the nonsensical, in their opinion, things we do. "Why do we learn chemistry? I am never going to use that in my lifetime". While I understand from where they are coming, I respectively beg to differ. Even if one does not pursue a field relevant to the topic they learn, they learn valuable skills they can apply elsewhere. The tedious classes require contemplation and deep thinking. When those skills are strengthened, the benefits reaped are infinite. In layman terms, the purpose is not to learn information; the intention is to teach you how to learn and think. Moreover, having at least a basic, surface- level understanding allows you to appreciate the phenomena we take for granted. When one understands the countless advancements and scientists who contributed to the microwave, they appreciate the magic behind an ostensibly simplistic invention. Not to mention, information often spans multiple topics. The skills learned in Algebra 1 will aid you in Algebra 2. Eventually, the information accumulates, and one has the facilities needed to pursue higher-level learning and obtain a career. Students will promulgate that they will never pursue field A or B, but how would they know that if they did not take intro to Field A or intro to Field B? One only learns they loathe math after taking Geometry, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, or some other requisite math class. Furthermore, these dreaded classes may come in handy for the class one does decide to take; one can't pass physics without knowing basic operations instilled in you during Algebra 1. For these reasons, I actively seek knowledge in every type of medium: articles, lectures, youtube videos, so on and so forth.
Do not Compare Yourself to Others
3.This aphorism I have yet to completely master, but I viscerally know it is true. I am not going to tell you what your mother says when she tells you, you are special in your own way. Instead, I am going to argue you do not really know how "special" someone else is. In this case, special can be thought of as successful or accomplished. While it may seem as if some have their life together, there is more than what meets the eye. For instance, right now, I seem composed from the outside. I write a blog (passion project), run a community service initiative (leadership), and receive good marks (academics), along with the other activities in which I partake. What others do not see ,and many do not care to admit, is I constantly feel as if I am drowning while everyone else has their heads above water. The sinking is gradual enough that I can still see the surface and am cognizant of the fall, but fast enough that I cannot hoist myself to the surface. Thus, you can not compare yourself to a standard not even established.
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Be Yourself Unapologetically
4.This relates to the aforementioned tip, but I really wish to nail in this point. While it is cliche, the saying holds true: you can never please everyone. At the end of the day, the only person you are with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is yourself. Ergo, it is paramount to please yourself before others. Unless you are harming others and impeding on their rights, follow your heart and pay no heed to those who will stymie your personality and growth.
Plan Your Day
5.I have written about time boxing (see blog post #3 ), and I have discussed how meticulous planning is cardinal, but I will discuss it once more to hammer in the point. When you do not have a set plan for the day or organizational system, you go through life aimlessly and waste what some coin as "dead time"; it is only dead if you let it be. "Dead time" is the 5, 10, or 15 minutes between major tasks that many often let go to waste. However, time accumulates, and these 5, 10, or 15 minutes very easily become 1 or 2 hours. If done correctly, planning can virtually eradicate time lost to waiting for the next endeavor and can allow you to successfully evaluate your day. If you transcribed the tasks you intended to do, and the time at which you would do them, you can refer to them and see how much you have completed and go from there. Conversely, if you did not plan, then you are less likely to keep yourself accountable.
Move Your Body In Whatever Way You Can
6.When I was a child, I did dance and was enamored of it. It brought me profuse joy and was a getaway from the hustle and bustle of my life. Unfortunately, my dance studio closed down, and my mother was not too crazed with the idea of me spending my time in a hobby I would not pursue. Wrongfully, I did not push hard enough. For that, I am filled with regret. In the ensuing years, I did tennis, which I hated, until one day I could not tolerate it any longer and told my mom I was done. Even though these activities ended unfortunately, they kept my body moving and me strong. When corona hit, I was without school gym, dance, or tennis, and I wanted to stay moving. In hindsight, I did not start working out because of my wellbeing. As vain as it is, I wanted to keep in shape now that my metabolism dwindled, and I could not move.
Nonetheless, I pursued various activities to shed some calories. First, I would walk in my neighborhood for an hour and a half at a leisurely speed. I enjoyed it for a while, but when the dead of winter hit, I could not bear the frigid weather. Moreover, it was not very time efficient. Thus, I transitioned to a 45-minute workout routine using videos on youtube from popular creators such as Pamela Reif and Madfit. At first, it was excruciating. I was very out of shape, and the routines were challenging. However, as time progressed I improved. Not only that, but I began to look forward to working out, and I felt better. It took a lot of trial and error, but I went from a sedentary person to an active one, all by finding workouts that suited me. Therefore, one should not copy what others are doing. Instead, experiment with what works for you so that you can procure the benefits of exercise, which are not only physical but emotional and mental as well.
Do Not Talk Poorly About People Behind Their Back
7.I have been the recipient of this backstabbing phenomenon and, let me tell you, it is agonizing. It may seem innocuous to the person doing it, but it breeds mistrust and sadness in the person to which it is being done. Not to mention, whomever you are confessing to will view you as a gossip and distrustful person, titles you never want to be viewed as. What is to stop them from revealing your true nature to others? Thus, this betrayal is noxious for all involved parties. This is just some food for thought.
Be Open Minded. Dogmatism is Humankind's Worst Enemy
8.At the time of writing this, the presidential election is quickly approaching. Along with it comes screaming fits, swearing advocates of the opposite political parties are fiends, and declaring proclamations one is bound to regret. I do not wish to get political with this blog/newsletter, but I dislike it when gross generalizations are made on both sides as to the character of a party's supporter. "All Trump haters are awful people" or "Joe Biden followers are stupid liberals", dogmatic people will retort. The only thing I am going to say is this: if politics were easy in that the answers are black and white, there would be no need for political scientists or parties. The best system would be instituted, and that would be the end of the discussion. As we all know, this is not the case. Ergo, think twice the next time you shun all supporters of a party before getting to know their stances and them as a PERSON.
Do Not Procrastinate
9.The work doesn't just evaporate into thin air. You may get away with postponing duties now, but you will regret it later in life. I seldom, if ever, procrastinate, but seeing my friends stress about assignments and deadlines serves as a warning of the dangers of procrastination.
Limit Your Screen Time
10.Not only does the blue light emitted from your phone disrupt your circadian rhythm, but staring at your screen all day can be enervating i.e. drain the life out of one. When online school started, I used my iPad (for notes), laptop (for video lessons from my teacher), and phone (for communication) day in and day out. I found myself getting headaches, insomnia, and agitation. When I dialed back on electronic use by limiting the time spent on my phone, I felt much better. Remember, there is an opportunity cost to everything. The time spent on electronics is time lost doing something conducive such as working, socializing, exercising, or sleeping. I am not implying you should quit cold turkey or swear off technology, but incremental reductions make a world of a difference.
Multitask When Appropriate and Don't When It Is Not
11.In productivity culture, the motto is "do more". While this is not inherently bad, it can get disruptive when quality is compromised for quantity's sake. Multitask with tasks that require low concentration, such as listening to a podcast while cleaning, but do not multitask if you are bound to get overwhelmed and compromise the integrity of your work. Less is more!
Have A Night Time Routine
12.There is nothing more satisfying than looking forward to your pamper routine at the end of a long day and slipping into pajamas, putting on some relaxing music and led lights, doing some skincare, and curling up with a good book.
Do Not Neglect Or Ostracize Your Loved Ones
13.The golden rule always applies: treat others how you want to be treated. Not only will they feel better after being respected and treated benevolently, but you will foster a meaningful relationship that nourishes you in the long run.
Be Brave By Trying Things That Pertify You
14.Growth happens outside of your comfort zone whereas it stagnates within the comfortability of the predictable routine. When all is said and done, it is better to try and fail than not try at all, for at least the former gives you a definitive answer as to your capabilities while the latter tears away at you until you are rueful.
Do Not Follow Fads If They Do Not Genuinely Appeal To You
15.Generation Z and Millenials have coined the term "FOMO" i.e., the fear of missing out. This label describes how when one does not wish to do something, they do so anyway, because they will regret not being able to experience what others will. To be blunt, this is a 100% asinine concept if there was ever one. Not only will this foster discontent since you are subject to the actions of others, but this may actually cause detrimental events. If all of your comrades are attending a party with underage drinking, you will feel inclined to partake in inebriation as well. As cliche as it is, be a leader and not a follower. I suspect most people have the herd mentality because by following others mindlessly, they can liberate themselves from responsibility by promulgating that they were merely "doing what everyone else does". However, this argument is fallacious since if everyone else is doing something, not only does it not guarantee a wise choice, but it should actually further beg the question if you should do it, more so than if a few individuals have done it. The decision of the flock tends to not be the most prudent one. Next time you act, ask yourself if the desire to involve yourself in an activity is due to a genuine interest that will enrich your life or if it is due to appeasing some societal ideal and wanting to mimic the actions of the whole.
