It’s 2024. New year, perhaps new me? 

 

I left college applications back in 2023, and with that weight off my shoulders, I feel free. Maybe too free. 

 

It’s odd because, almost overnight, I find myself with abundant time and peace of mind. No more stressing endlessly over each test, chasing down deadlines, or feeling uncomfortable if I’m not being productive every second of the day. 

 

Honestly, I don’t know what to do with it. It’s been a while since I’ve spent a lot of time on things I simply like. So, over winter break, I experimented with this newfound latitude. I rediscovered old hobbies and passions I’d forgotten, which was so much fun. I tested interesting recipes, wandered around some boutiques, made clay sculptures, and more! 

 

There was so much I wanted to try, so in my excitement, I created an (incomplete) bucket list for this semester. Here it is!

 

1. Learn to sew

 

This sounds like a very grandma-esque hobby, but hear me out. My own grandma used to run a tailoring business on the side, and with her help, I’ve altered many of my clothes over the years. Though I’m only familiar with some pretty basic alterations, I’ve always wanted to get into making my own clothes. Recently, I’ve been seeing thrift-flipping videos all over the internet (basically, people thrifting clothes and then completely revamping them), which seems really cool! 

Though I’m pretty beginner-level (currently working on PJ pants), I plan to continue investing in this hobby throughout the semester. I think it would be incredible to reach a point where I’m bounded not by skill constraints but only by my imagination. 

 

2. Get a job

 

I’ve been wanting to get a job for a while. Mostly, I think it’s an opportunity to gain real-world experience with all sorts of people, become more responsible and collaborative, and honestly, just throw myself out there. The extra cash doesn’t hurt either! I’d been putting off job searching because of college applications, but I recently found one. I’m excited to see how it goes!

 

3. Explore the local area

 

Whenever I go on vacation, I tell people I’m from Chicago. It’s funny, though, because I usually go to Chicago no more than 3-4 times a year. Recently, I’ve realized that there are so many treasures in the local area – whether it be Naperville, Chicago, Schaumburg, or elsewhere – that I’ve never uncovered. In this last semester before college, I’d really like to explore as much as possible. I have a list of places I want to go, including the Catcade, a cat cafe and adoption center! When the weather gets warmer, I’d also love to walk through the 16th Street Murals in Chicago. 

 

4. Redecorate my room (again)

 

This is something that I do every few years, as I grow up and my preferences change. I repainted my bedroom a while back, which in and of itself was a fun experience! Since that entailed removing all my decor and furniture, my room is currently an empty canvas for me to experiment with. 

Right now, I’m looking through my photo album (all the way back to my toddler years) to print out photocards for a photo wall. I’ve also got some plants in my room and hope to add to the greenery collection. It’s a work in progress, but I’m having tons of fun! 

 

5. Spend more time with friends/family

 

Of course, since this is my last few months before leaving home, I hope to make more memories with loved ones. My family and I would often cook and bake together during quarantine, and it’s a dynamic we’re getting back into recently. We especially love making dumplings and breads (currently thinking about trying sourdough)! I’m also striving to visit my grandparents more often; they live around 20 minutes away, so I’ll sometimes pick them up to get lunch or go shopping. 

Additionally, I want to spend more time with my dog! Recently, we’ve been going out to play in the snow: since she’s still a puppy, the snow is new to her. I’ve also been trying to get her more car-trained so we can visit parks and gardens when spring comes! I hope we can get some pretty dog + nature pictures for my photo album. 

Finally, I want to see my friends more often outside of school. I hope we can do some of the activities we planned but never did – skiing, boating, going to Mitsuwa, and perhaps a summer trip as well!

 

Overall, that was a quick rundown of my bucket list for this semester. I’m happy I now have the time to explore these hobbies, activities, and goals – excited to see how it goes!