I've been incessantly, severely, obsessively in love with podcasts.

We all have our needs for entertainment, in whatever form it may take. Video games, cooking shows, an overrated Netflix series, or five-star romance novels; you name it. But as members of society in a world that's constantly changing, I think we should also feed our minds with entertainment that not only helps us pass the time, but also benefits and educates us.

Over the past few months, I've been immersing myself in this world of podcasts where everyone – from journalists and politicians to celebrities and comedians  – sits down to just- talk. Simply said.

Being recently detached from social media, I've been latching onto podcasts even more. In becoming  increasingly obsessed, it was also cool discovering how popular they actually are. The much-highlighted Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook don't reveal much about how expansive the podcast community is, but it is, and that's certainly well-earned – there's a podcast out there for everyone.

Seventeen was the year of brand new cars and drivers' licenses. The blinding disco lights of a birthday party. A girlhood era of high heels and makeup. Snapchat filters and high school romance. Immersing ourselves in the thrill of being young, fully embracing our moment of "I'm an adult but not quite yet."

Then eighteen was what I called an "important age". Stepping out of the carefree, party-filled teenage dream and into the age of major life decisions. What college? What career? Where do I go? What do I do? The classroom doors close. The friends say farewell. The kids embark and finally face reality.

Now when someone mentions nineteen, I picture a responsible, big girl with well-kept hair who makes everybody proud. Jeans that fit just right, soft, lavender curtains, and a clean, tidy dressing room. Adults love her, younger kids look up to her, she makes her own Christmas cards, and has her whole life figured out.

Needless to say, maybe, just maybe, 

I could've imagined something a little more realistic.

With exam weeks rolling in, assignments piling up, and students collectively sharing moments of existential crisis, I thought about the ways one can lower anxiety levels in stressful times like these.

Living with anxiety is a big issue; it sits on your shoulder and weighs you down. I'm not going to go into the details of my own experiences, but I've found that the most offered solution to it, is therapy.

The Internet gives us endless information around How Therapy Changed My Life. Therapy is indeed a powerful, helpful tool for recovery,

but it's also expensive.

"You should play with the other kids, honey!" my mother suggests.

I shake my head, refusing the offer. "I don't want to look weird."

Living alone this year has set me up for a lot of reality checks. For the first time in my life, I have been confronted with all the things that I need to reflect upon and change within myself, in order to grow into an adult who–you know–has her life together.

Some of these things hit pretty deep; like recovery, spiritual growth, and a shifting heart. And I realize now that there's not much room left in 2018–my grand year of change–for me to add things into. Rather, the challenge is to find the spaces that need a bit of a clearing up.

I've received so many new knowledges over the past 3-4 months. With that being said, I decided to write out the small list of things I've decided to have less of in 2018.

"Will you help him? The little pilot?"

"Why should I?"

"Because he's a twelve year old boy. Dogs love those."