18 ways to improve yourself before you’re 18

Turning 18 is a huge life milestone!

It is a time of new beginnings and new opportunities.

Which also means there is going to be a lot of ways that you can make this huge milestone be a positive experience and part of that is by setting yourself up for success.

So take some time before you turn 18 and work on yourself and improving where your life is at now.

Below are 18 ways that you can start improving yourself now and setting yourself up for success before the big 18th birthday!

 

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Idea 1) Evaluate bad habits

One of the most helpful things you can do to have a smooth transition into adulthood is to find your bad habits now and work on eliminating or improving them before you become an adult.

Being an adult will have a bunch of new challenges and opportunities so if you can avoid bringing any old baggage with you then the better off you will be.

Idea 2) Create a positive morning routine

Morning routines truly set the mood for your whole day.

So if you can create a positive and productive morning routine now and make it a lifestyle change then in adulthood you will just have to make minor tweaks depending on class times/work schedule.

For more on creating your morning routine habits check this out.

Idea 3) Do 1 thing a month out of your comfort zone

During adulthood you will be regularly forced to do things outside of your comfort zone.

Which is why doing some things outside of your comfort zone before you turn 18 will help you learn how to cope and manage. Teaching yourself the coping techniques now will make your transition into adulthood much smoother.

Idea 4) Create or update your professional resume

Make sure to always keep your resume updated, even if you have not yet applied for a job or are not searching for a new job.

If you don’t already have a resume written then follow these 20 tips for writing one.

Idea 5) Start keeping a daily journal

Daily journals are a great way to practice self expression and are a wonderful way to improve yourself. It’s easier to improve yourself when you know what you are really feeling.

Get a cute simple journal and keep it by your bedside. Incorporate a few minutes of journaling into your AM or PM routine.

Idea 6) Create a dream board

You are never to young to create your dream board. Just know and understand that it will probably change pretty frequently as you grow up and as parts of your life evolve and change.

Idea 7) Start staying up to date with current events

This is a positive change you can start making at any point in your life but getting into the habit of knowing current events and finding your preferred way to get your news before your an adult will help set you up for success (and voting) as you get older.

Idea 8) Find an exercise you enjoy

If you ask most former high school athletes one of the hardest transitions to college or working is not playing your sport anymore. So if you play sports in high school take the time to try and find an exercise you like!

You may be able to still play your high school sport in college, even at an intramural or club level or you may not be able to. If you can’t then try finding a fun exercise like cycle classes, zumba, running with your dog, etc.

Idea 9) Make it a habit to have 1 hour of no phone time

Usually this is the best to do in the hour before bed to help your brain unwind but really it can be anytime that works best for you! Creating this habit will help you in the long run.

Idea 10) Learn 10 easy and healthy recipes

Cooking for yourself can be one of the most difficult things to learn in adulthood if you don’t already know how to.

So take the opportunity when you get it to learn from a family member or use the internet to teach yourself 10 easy and healthy recipes that you can make so you have a mental stockpile of recipes so when you move out you don’t eat pizza for a month straight.

Idea 11) Make a list of things you want to learn

Making a “What I want to learn” bucket list will help set you up for life long learning and self improvement.

Think along the lines of learning new languages, hobbies, meditation, etc.

Idea 12) Unfollow negative accounts on social media

This is especially helpful to do after graduation high school.

Go through and unfollow negative and toxic social media accounts. If someone doesn’t bring you joy then unfollow them, especially if they are blatantly negative and seeing them on your timeline makes you sad or anxious.

Idea 13) Start reading 1 book a month

If you don’t already have a Kindle then I recommend investing in one and trying to read one book every month.

Try to make this a book you don’t have to read for a class. It can be fiction or non-fiction, whatever you prefer.

Idea 14) Work on viewing others as friends not competition

This can be a big change but is so helpful in adulthood.

Make an effort to treat people as friends or peers but not competition. When you stop viewing others as competition it allows you to focus on your own goals and aspirations but in high school it is often forced upon you that your peers were your competition which is not healthy!

Idea 15) Start making monthly goals

Starting each month correctly and efficiently is very helpful when you are an adult so learning that habit will help you a lot.

For more on setting monthly goals and starting your month correctly then check out: 10 Things To Start Every Month Right.

(Also make sure to get a monthly wall calendar)

Idea 16) Find an outdoor activity that you enjoy

In adulthood you often need to make a conscious effort to spend time outside. So the sooner you have outdoor activities that you know you enjoy doing the better. Especially if you don’t have any already or if they are activities you only could do with your family.

Idea 17) Start or improve on using a weekly planner

Staying organized becomes more important when you have more responsibilities (like paying bills).

And one of the best ways to stay organized is to use a weekly planner to stay on top of deadlines and due dates.

I have used the MAMBI Happy Planner Classic edition for years and I love it.

Idea 18) Take 5 minutes a day to be thankful

This final idea of how you can start improving is to remember to express gratitude and thankfulness. The sooner you learn to be thankful for things the sooner you can start to grow as a person!

 

 

Adulthood can be a daunting but by taking steps now to start improving yourself then you can set yourself up for an easier and smoother transition into adulthood.

Remember to have fun and appreciate all the moments and memories along the way!

Korra-Shay