In the age we live in, it’s quite easy to get almost everything instantly due to the growing influence of social networks and the Internet. However, job satisfaction and relationships are the areas we need to put much effort into, and those make us stressed most of the time. As a gay millennial, you probably want to show the world that you’re enjoying your life to the fullest, putting filters on everything, sometimes lying to yourself as well.
You feel obligated to show everyone that you’re happy and that you’re having a blast whatever you’re doing, even though you’re stressed and anxious about a plethora of things. I don’t believe in the universal formula which will help you get rid of negativity, as we are all different, but here are some tips which may help you truly enjoy everything you do.
Plan a weekend getaway with your friends
There’s nothing fun in spending your days off doing the same things over and over again. Who in this world enjoys monotonous, humdrum, and bleak activities? You want something different, special, something that’s barely been seen before on Instagram. Book a log cabin with a large hot tub on the terrace where you can spend some quality time with your friends, talk about the latest gossip while sipping yourself some wine. It’s a perfect place to run away from all the city noise. It’s also a good therapy for your body and soul as you can focus only on yourself and your friends.
Talk about your problems
Speaking of therapy, consider making an appointment with a professional. Keeping things to yourself is never a good thing. We battle with a lot of issues during the day and at one point they accumulate so much that they start suffocating us. If you don’t like talking to your friends about some topics, maybe it’s more comfortable to talk about them with a stranger. Therapists have plenty of knowledge about other people’s experiences and they can certainly help you in ways that friends can’t. A simple conversation will really help you feel relieved.
Take a yoga class
Millennials agree on a lot of topics, and yoga is surely one of them! It helps with stress relief, flexibility, spiritual cleansing and it’s so enjoyable sneaking a glance at that hot instructor in between exercises! You can spice things up a bit and book a yoga getaway. You can find rather interesting places all around the world. If you’re in Australia, for example, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a good yoga retreat in NSW. Spread your millennial-pink mat and enjoy the beautiful landscapes away from the city hubbub.
Try learning something new
Living a 9-to-5 life is draining sometimes and it’s dangerous if you get caught in that never-ending cycle. Have you thought about freshening up your everyday routine? How about signing up to some courses that seem interesting? Pottery classes are rather hyped lately. It’s soothing to play with your imagination, do something creative and talk with other people at the same time. Also, think about taking cooking classes or flower arranging. You can post your accomplishments later on social networks and get extra satisfaction.
More self-care!
With all the chaos you’re going through every single day, you probably don’t have time to treat yourself as often as you’d like to. That has to change. Get rid of unwanted commitments and save yourself some time to go to the gym, to meditate, go scuba diving, anything you really want to do! The choices are countless – spa, hiking, shiatsu massage, biking, running, anything. If you prefer staying at home, play some video games, read a book, watch movies, soak in your bathtub. Just make it count as your “Me” time.
Stress is a part of our everyday lives and it’s difficult getting completely rid of it, but there are things we can do to make it diminish. One of the most important pieces of advice is to not compare yourself to other gay guys and focus on yourself.
QUEERGURU Correspondent PETER MINKOFF is a gay health and lifestyle writer at QUEER VOICES magazine. Besides writing, he worked as a freelance fashion stylist in Europe and Australia. A true craft beer and soy latte aficionado, he loves spending his days at the beach and visiting second hand stores on a daily basis. Follow Peter on TWITTER for more tips.
