As 2023 approaches, it’s normal to think back on the current year and reflect.
Instead of dwelling on what I did or didn’t do, I’ve decided to reflect on what I’ve learned.
My resolution this year, and every year beyond that? To keep learning, loving, and bettering myself- because sometimes that’s the only thing we can actively work towards every day.
22 things I learned in 2022..
- It’s hard to grow somewhere that created a version of you that doesn’t exist anymore. Environment plays a huge factor in personal growth and development.
- A dream can be a distraction just as much as it can be a goal. It may seem impossible to reach the point you’re striving for. But through all the hard work, define your success through small actions. Before you spiral into an endless of abyss of success and perfectionism, slow down and breathe. Your time will come.
- Emotions can be teachers, but they are not leaders. Emotions, like many things, come and go. But while they’re here, listen to them. What situation provoked which emotion? Why? Constantly analyse yourself and your surroundings. It will teach you more than you think.
- Emotional maturity is how thoroughly you let yourself anything. Everything. A person who feels everything is stronger than a person who feels nothing. Understanding that it’s okay to feel deeply and be vulnerable is one of the main components of being emotionally mature. Bottling up those thoughts and feelings is a recipe for disaster.
- Your relationship to everyone else is an extension of your relationship with yourself. Give yourself the love, kindness, and respect you seek from others. Once you’re able to effectively love and care for yourself, everyone else follows.
- Self-love is the balance between accepting yourself as you are while knowing you deserve better and working towards it. You do not have to dislike the version of yourself you’re trying to change. Self-love is about loving every version of yourself, and constantly wanting more for yourself. Because you deserve the best.
- Repetition is the key to mastery. Repetition builds habits. Builds consistency. Builds familiarity. It’s about showing up when you don’t feel like it… pushing yourself to excel.
- Goals are achieved through discomfort and hard work. It’s unlikely someone will hand us the key to our dreams on a silver platter. So, we have to want it enough to stray away from those comfort zones and put in the work.
- You’ll only drive yourself insane worrying so much about the distant future. No amount of anxiety will change the outcome. By living in the present and dealing with things as they come, you’re reducing so much unnecessary stress and anxiety.
- Let the past go. There’s nothing you can do about it, it already happened. Whatever you’ve done or said that you weren’t too proud of, you have to grow beyond it. You cannot stay in a place that dedicates so much time to regret.
- You can’t care what people think of you. People will say what they want and feel how they feel. People perceive you based on their experience with you, which is different for everyone. The only opinion that matters is yours.
- Everything you’re doing is for a purpose. What’s tough now will be worth it in the end. Don’t be discouraged by the things you see online or the things going on around you. Your journey is designed specifically for you.
- To affirm is to believe. Words have power and they hold weight. An affirmation is nothing without the belief and intent behind it.
- You have to analyse whether your daily habits are leading you towards the life you want to live. What are you doing today that’s preparing you for tomorrow? The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine.
- Self-love is more than shopping sprees and bubble baths. It’s also about healing harmful, toxic behaviours within yourself.
- Self-care is a reminder that you are more important than productivity. If you need to slow down to pick yourself back up again, do it unapologetically.
- Rest, recovery, and reflection are just as important as hard work and discipline.
- Our assumptions about what happiness should be are what makes us unhappy. Happiness can be found in the little things. They can be cherished. But like all emotions, it will come and go. Prioritize peace and contentment over never-ending happiness.
- Everything in life starts with your mindset first, and your actions second. Your actions follow your thoughts, beliefs, and ideas.
- Progress is more important than perfection.
- Stop asking people to see you, hear you, accept, and love you when they’ve shown you before they are not capable of doing so. Don’t give someone a second chance to prove what you already know.
- There is no better investment than investing in yourself. Invest in your time, energy, and well-being. Even materialistic things. You’re fucking important and you deserve nice things.
Happy new year! What did 2022 teach you?
