Lists!

So, in my opinion, the best way to go about beginning your process of finding out who you really are is to make some lists! Lists are a GREAT way to get yourself organized. I used to joke on my mom because she makes lists for everything (now, when I say everything, I mean absolutely everything). But now that I'm "older and wiser," I realize that making lists really does help you. There are all sorts of lists that you can make (grocery lists, to do lists, lists of things you like and dislike, etc.). To really find out more about yourself, though, start by making some top five lists of your favorite things. For example, list your top five favorite activities, top five things you love, top five best qualities a person can have, etc. But don't forget to make top five lists of your least favorite things, too. For example, list your top five least favorite musicians, top five least favorite foods, etc. Not only will these lists help you to start to discover who you really are, but, believe it or not, this can be a really fun, interesting, and rewarding activity for you to do with your friends. You may find out some things that you've never known about your friends before! It will also help you to discover what similarities and differences you and your friends have. It is very important to have a healthy balance of being both similar and different from your friends. But, we'll discuss the topic of friends at a later date.
Okay, so now that you're sitting there with a pile of lists in front of you asking yourself, "What next?" it's time for the hard part: keeping a life long bucket list. I know, this sounds totally cliché, and I'm sure that as you're reading this, you're saying "There's no way I could possibly keep a life long list!" But, dont' give up on the idea so soon! I recommend putting this list on your computer (if you can). It will make it much easier for you to manage and it will be easy for you to remember to add something to it everyday. If your list starts getting kind of long, don't be discouraged! Put the things that you really, really, really want to do at the top of the list. This way, you will be more encouraged to get them done. To give you an example, here are a few things that I have on my own bucket list (in no particular order):
Amelia's Bucket List:
1. Play at Carnegie Hall (I'm a saxophonist, by the way...I've been playing since 3rd grade!).
2. Get married.
3. Help someone every day, even if it's in the smallest way possible.
4. Go bungee jumping.
5. Ride the tallest, fastest roller coaster in the world.
6. Scream at the top of my lungs for as long as I possibly can.
7. Travel the world.
Now, some of these have already been crossed off my list (numbers 1, 3-ongoing, of course, and 6). Of course, the hardest part of all is actually accomplishing all of the things on the list. But, like I said previously, if you put things that you really, really, really want to do on this list, then you WILL get them done. I hope that this helps you take that first step to discovering who you are deep down. Please feel free to share some items on your bucket list. I would absolutely LOVE to see what kinds of things you guys want to accomplish in your lifetime!

Happy list making! :)