Happy New Year, Wanderers!
Is it officially too late to say that? I don’t care, y’all are going to get these good wishes today.
It feels so good to be back. I spent this first month of 2019 reflecting, planning, and resting. I am proclaiming this to be my best year and my biggest priority is self-care. I think for 82% of 2018 I felt and honestly was burnt out, which took a toll on me mentally, physically and emotionally. I spent more days sad and wanting to hide under the covers than actually being productive and “living my best life.” So for this year I am not forcing anything and letting things occur naturally while being more intentional with my self-care practices.
Before I officially close out 2018, I know I know I’m late, I wanted to share with you all the top five lessons I learned last year.
Lesson 1:
If not now, then when?
Time waits for no one. If you have a dream and a goal you’ve been sitting on, now’s the time to get to work and turn it into a reality. You’ll never be 100% ready and when you release it you probably won’t be completely in love with it, but at least you’ll be able to say you did it and that’s what matters the most. Just imagine how far you could be next month or six months from now if you just start or launch today. The best way to learn and grow is by making mistakes.
*cues* If at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again.
Lesson 2:
Trust your journey.
Stop, stop, stop comparing yourself. Comparison is the thief of joy. This is the hardest lesson I’ve had to learn this year. Social media has made us N-O-S-E-Y. We are able to see all up and through everyone’s lives. There are so many problems with this but the biggest one is we forget people only privy us to see what they want us to see and more often than not it’s usually only the good times and their successes. We don’t get to see their struggles and what they had to go through to get where they are, just the outcome and we become envious of it because of how sweet it looks.
It’s so easy for us to forget they are probably at their chapter eight, while we are only at chapter one. Your journey is just that, yours. Enjoy it and appreciate it at each step-good or bad. I don’t want to and I’m sure you don’t want to look back on your life and realize you missed out on appreciating some of the best moments because you were too busy comparing your journey to someone else’s.
Lesson 3:
You can’t depend on anyone to create your happiness, it starts with you.
Whewwww chillay.
Did I use that right? I’ve been waiting for the perfect time to use it lol.
Anyway, this is a word right here but like a lot of things in life, it’s easier said than done. Often we’ll say (myself included), oh when I get in a relationship, once I move, once I do this and that, I’ll be happier.
Aht Aht!
Yeah you know exactly what that sound is lol.
Your happiness starts right here, right now and with you. If you continue to leave your happiness in the hands of other people or things, you will always be disappointed. You are the director of your life so stop worrying, do what you love and do it unapologetically.
Lesson 4:
It’s okay to be alone.
I used to think it was weird to be alone. Ha! Ya girl will happily give up a night of going out to stay home and binge-watch something on Netflix.
There’s beauty in loneliness. I found this year I created my best work and grew the most when I was alone. It’s like because I am so bored and have nothing but time, I have no choice but to create, do whatever sets my soul on fire and just think and turn my thoughts into tangible things. As a certified introvert, I find spending a lengthy period of time with people to be exhausting and honestly draining. Sometimes I find I am my happiest when I am by myself. Why? Because I can do what makes me the happiest without worrying about if others will enjoy it or trying to compromise and find something we equally will enjoy. When I stop feeling the need to be around people or depending on others is the day I felt free and my happiest.
Lesson 5:
Jump! It’s time to get uncomfortable.
I wrote a whole blog post on this and I’ll keep repeating it. In my opinion, if I am comfortable I am not growing. I’ve only been on this Earth for 22 years and to think I’ve reached my maximum potential already is highly unlikely. So I will continue to learn and continue to grow.
That one thing that’s sitting in the back of your mind and scaring you, do it. Yes, initially the jump will feel scary. Your stomach will drop, your breaths will feel short and your landing may be ugly. But guess what you did it. An I did is always better than a what if. When you give yourself the opportunity to make a mistake or “fail,” you’re also giving yourself the opportunity to improve and grow. I spent years and years planning this blog, talking about this blog, and I still made mistakes and failed a couple (or twenty) times. It wasn’t until I officially launched that I became better and grew as a blogger.
Honestly, it’s a process. Just like I said earlier, it’s a lot easier said than done.
Goal for 2019: Get uncomfortable! Make that jump, sis. I know when I’m feeling uncomfortable and about to make a leap, I’m going to reap an even bigger reward.
What lessons did 2018 teach you? It was honestly a trying year but I learned a lot and grew even more. There were a lot of wins and milestones I reached, but there were also mistakes, lessons and a lot of L’s. Was 2018 one of the best years yet or just meh? What goals do you have for 2019? Let me know down below! Nevertheless, I am claiming for myself and you, yes YOU, a prosperous and blissful 2019. This is our year, sis! Until next time…
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