Things That Make Life Worth Living

The long break between posts is not because my life is just that boring. It’s because it’s just that busy: second year has just gotten so real in the last month or so. These are the things no one puts in the brochures at Information Day.

Anyway.

When I wasn’t struggling with the ant-sized font of my course readings, cramming for a test, running around to agencies for my Block Placement (something else they didn’t put in the B Social Work information packet), or working myself into an 11th-hour frenzy over some assignment, I was trying to make time for the things which make my soul smile.What’s left of it, anyway- Wits students don’t really have those…
Here follows a list of some of the things that I think make life worth living, even if you’re at your wits’ end and can’t see how you could possibly go on.

1. Journalling

For those times when I just need to get out of my own head and see things clearly, or when I just need to get frustration out of my system because it’s been a day from a particularly hard-working department of hell.
Try it when one day you feel brave enough to face up to what’s really going on in your life.

2. 5FM

I love this radio station! There can be nothing better than Gareth at dawn, Grant & Anele at lunch, Fresh after a long day of classes, Euphonik and Kent when all you want to do is dance, or Tyren and his “daily controversials”. Or their AMAZING playlist. Nothing.
These people are my life support.
I dare you to click through to live streaming now, and then tell me your life hasn’t improved- even if it’s a little bit.

3. Seventeen Magazine

This has only been, like, my most favourite magazine ever for the past 7 years of my life. I love the features- the stories are well-written and real. The fashion and make-up pages are so well done, and I just love the overall vibe I get from the magazine. Also, I still like to imagine myself smiling out at people from an oh-so-chic picture of myself on that Editor’s Page. It gives me hope.

4. Tea

For the times when I have to get through some reading. I don’t think the caffeine in tea actually has any effect on me anymore, because I drink it like it’s just on tap or something. Give me a cup of well-brewed Five Roses tea with just the right amount of sugar, some milk, and some Marie Biscuits, and you’ve won my heart. I promise.

5. Music. Good music. And lots of it.

I honestly don’t know what I’d do with myself if I couldn’t wake up in the morning and think: “hm, I’m having an India day”, or have songs like “Ironic” and “Lose Control” on really loud while I get ready for the day. I love knowing that there is a song for every mood.

I stumbled upon Karmin. They can only be described as “stupid good”.

MP3, YouTube, CD or FM- whatever. Just decide on a music source, find songs that mean something for your life. Then press play.

6. Friends

If I didn’t have a guarantee that I’d have someone sitting next to me in that dreaded 8am Sociology class, keeping me going with slightly-obscene jokes about the lecturer, or notes written on the corner of exam pad pages filling me in on the scandals of the weekend, I’d die. No, honestly. There’d be no motivation for me to do anything good with my life if I couldn’t share it with the like-minded, golden-hearted girls I’ve met in the past year and a half.
I have nothing but custard-flavoured, rainbow-coloured love for all of them.

7. Family

That amazing bunch of people who know who you really are, and have a way of reminding you just how awesome you are just at that moment when you feel like you’re ready to surrender to that mean and surly bastard named World.
I love them. Especially how I can be completely silly with them, and not feel like I have to apologise, or wonder if I’m being judged.
Sure, sometimes I’d rather gouge my own eyes out with a teaspoon than spend some “family quality time” with them, but on most days I feel like I belong just fine.

These all make up that silver lining which sometimes seems so blurry when I look up at the cloud of Student Life and wonder if any of it is really worth it at all.

This may all seem a little cheesy, and it is. I hate when magazines and TV shows do that whole “do what makes you happy… live your life well” spiel.
But sometimes, cheesy is good. It’s all a matter of which type you prefer, I suppose… 😉