Andrew: Staying Young and Staying Free: Six Ideas to Take With You

Editor's note: We challenged all of our finalists to "Write a blog: Writer’s choice: write about whatever suits your mood.

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‪As I sat down to write, I couldn’t help but reflect on the entire application process to be the new Young and Free St. Louis spokesperson.  Without even realizing it, I’ve already been a part of this process for over a month.  Thinking about the videos and blogs I’ve created, the people I’ve met and new experiences I’ve had, I started to contemplate what the core of Young and Free meant to me, about not just being Young and Free but staying Young and Free.  It’s often said that age is just a number and as someone in his mid-twenties, I feel as young and free as ever.  So for this, my last blog of Challenge Week, I want to share with you some ideas on staying young and free.‬
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‪Staying Young‬
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‪1) Indulge Your Inner Child – I am a child of the ‘90s.  I own Ace of Base’s “The Sign” on cassette and it makes me sad that I was never a “Legends of the Hidden Temple” contestant.  Another of my favorite shows growing up was “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” and, a few years ago, I discovered that the show was available through Amazon’s Canadian website.  I ordered each season as soon as they were released and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the episodes I had grown up with in a whole new way… some of them were even still scary!  You may have a different way of indulging your inner child, but for me, when I’m even feeling the least bit nostalgic, I pop in one of those DVDs and it’s like being transported right back to those Saturday nights watching Snick, scared out of my mind but loving every minute.‬
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‪2) Don’t Overthink It – I work with kids and can tell you firsthand just how impulsive they can be.  They don’t really worry too much about consequences, they just kind of go with what they feel.  And I think there’s something great about that!  Go with your gut, why not?  We’re more educated now that we're older and, by extension, our gut instincts should be more accurate.  Plus, we have a better idea of the nature of “cause and effect”, so just go with it – whatever “it” may be.  Give things the thought that they require, but don’t spend too much time overthinking.  If you spend all of your time thinking about what you’re going to do, you’ll never do it.  Be spontaneous!  Just don’t lose your head.‬
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‪3) Laugh at Yourself – If you can’t laugh at yourself, then what can you really laugh at?  Learning to do this isn’t going to happen overnight, but once you can laugh at yourself, you’ll find that you’re able to see the lighter side of things and even let other things go easier.  Think about this: a few days ago, I told you about how I blew up a toaster.  Do you think I was laughing that day?  Absolutely not.  I blew up a toaster, charred a wall and put a hole in a metal knife.  But once the situation had settled, and no one was hurt, you have to admit that it is kind of funny.  My best friend even printed a Certificate of Achievement for me to commemorate the experience!‬
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‪Staying Free‬
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‪1) Travel – The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of staying free is traveling.  I love to travel and try to do it as often as possible.  I find going to the airport to be exciting and the moment when an airplane starts to accelerate for take off is one of my favorite things there is.  Road trips are just as fun, spending time with friends or family in a car, just you, the open road and all the time to talk about anything you wish.  It’s true that travel can be pricey, but if you save up and spend wisely while traveling, you can have the experience you’ve been dreaming of and it could very well change your life. ‬
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‪2) Go Barefoot – I have a love/hate relationship with shoes.  I’ll wear them when I have to, but whenever possible, I opt for sandals.  There’s something I find freeing about being able to slip out of them and go barefoot.  From time to time, I even like to walk barefoot around my neighborhood, feel the pavement under my feet and the grass between my toes.  While, I wouldn’t encourage you to do that while walking the streets of Downtown St. Louis, when you get a chance, lose the shoes and see for yourself.‬
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‪3) Say It – Anyone who has watched reality television has heard the phrase “Say it to my face!”  In that context, unleashing your inner thoughts may not be the best choice, but in day-to-day life I find that saying what’s on your mind is rarely a bad thing.  I encourage you to be judicious with your word choices while speaking your mind, but don’t hold things in.  Who knows?  Your words could inspire greatness in others.‬
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‪I’m sure there are a plethora of things you do in your lives to stay young and free, and I hope you’ll share them with me!  I also hope you’ll take some of my suggestions to heart.  It has been an honor writing for you this week and I sincerely thank each of you for your support!‬

Andrew

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