banner image courtesy of mohamed_hassan from Pixabay
Did you suddenly awaken to the fact that half of 2019 has left us forever? Are you worrying that you missed the bus, that you didn’t get half the 2019 things done that you should have? Let Fox in a Box Chicago help you make the best of the time you have left...
Whoa!
2019 seems to be in a rush, doesn’t it?
It’s half gone, and many of us barely noticed!
What with all the political excitement, the global push for action against global warming, the Avengers series ending (did it, really?) on a really high note, a lot of sabre rattling in the trade wars, there really hasn’t been a lot of time to catch our breath.
But now, it is time.
Time to take a step back...and take stock.
As a responsible 2019 person, have you accomplished all the 2019 things to do?
Allow us, Fox in a Box Chicago, to provide you with the checklist of 2019 things to do.
1. Go green
As I said, a lot of global concern over global warming.
Now, while it may not be feasible to stop all plane travel or give up our craving for hot dogs (processed meats are said to contribute to climate change), we can take small steps to reduce our individual carbon footprint.
Like they say, many small bits make one large whole.
So, we can start working on our daily lifestyles and make small changes.
Start taking public transport. Or, better still, start walking and cycling, provided health permits.
Try to cut back on use of single-use plastics.
Install a solar energy system at home, if possible (you can avail of a federal tax credit for part of the expenditure involved).
Plant a garden. This increases green cover, even if marginally. And in urban areas, it provides respite from what’s called the ‘heat island effect’ (higher temperatures due to long stretches of concrete buildings and pavement).
Eat local and organic.
2. Start your career
It’s widely said that earlier, people had jobs for life. Now, they have careers for life.
I’m sure this isn’t the first time you’re hearing about this. But, the question is, have you taken action?
The nature of jobs is changing. Upskilling, adapting to the changing nature of labour demand and doing what you love are becoming the new mantra.
If you’ve got a job that you certainly don’t enjoy doing, but enables you to keep paying off your student loans, keep at it.
But, you can always upskill yourself when you’re not working.
It’s high time to have begun.
Start looking and preparing yourself for your career if you haven’t done so already.
3. Start a gig
‘Gig’. ‘Second job’. ‘Side hustle’.
Many names have been created for it. And it is something that you should surely try out in 2019.
Content creation is a pretty big thing these days.
Some of the largest YouTube channels by subscriber count aren’t those of professional entities like ABC or CNN.
They’re channels of individual content creators who’ve managed to develop a niche of their own. Content can range from prank videos (like BigDaws TV) to DIY (like 5-Minute Crafts).
If you feel you’re good at teaching something, create an online course and register yourself as an instructor on a platform like Udemy.
Other popular avenues for side gigs are consultants (for example as a marketing consultant) and ‘running errands’ (yeah, that’s a real thing; check out sites like TaskRabbit if you don’t believe).
4. Go on a digital detox
A number of countries are introducing legislation aimed at giving workers the ‘right to disconnect’, which broadly means ‘no work emails during off hours’.
Clearly, being constantly connected has drawbacks, and not just work.
Feeling a need to broadcast every little thing on Twitter or create Facebook content constantly is not healthy and can reduce your quality of life.
So, make 2019 the year when you unplug.
At your chosen time of the day, switch off social media alerts. Do NOT look at your emails. Clear away all your anxiety of not being able to like the next cat photo in your Facebook feed or announce on Twitter that you’re switching cheeks on the sofa.
Meet up with your friends...in real life, not online. And have a real conversation. Trust me. It helps.
5. Go on an adventure
Go scuba diving.
Walk through one of our many splendid national parks.
Go for a road trip.
Visit the Amazon.
Or, if you’re less ambitious, visit Fox in a Box Chicago and take your pick from robbing a bank, breaking out of a prison, saving the world, or escaping a serial killer.
Did you find our list of 2019 things to do interesting?
Have you done every single one of them?
If you haven’t, just make a start...and make the best out of the rest of 2019.
If you have, celebrate...have a beer, watch a movie or book a room at Fox in a Box?
* Fair warning though, if you take alcohol before visiting us, we will not let you escape!
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