2016 is coming to an end and I really can’t believe how fast that year went. Time just seems to be going faster and faster as I get older. That’s why I wanted to write this post. to make sure I’m making the most of and taking as much as I can from each year.
2016 was a really good year in many ways with lots of amazing travel, adventures with friends and enjoyable work – but at times it was definitely hard too – loved ones passed away, there were make-ups and break-ups and times when trying to manage two jobs wasn’t that easy. I think it’s safe to say I learnt a few things from this year. Here are 8 of the most valuable lessons I learnt:
1. Be kind to yourself
It’s a crazy, busy, hard world we live in and we’re all doing our best – I’m sure I’m not the only one who is their own worst critic but I’m gonna try and be a little kinder to myself next year. I’m going to give myself more pats on the back when I do things I’m proud of, I want to feel less guilty for doing things I want to do and I’m going to make being really happy a priority.
2. Work hard
At the start of 2016 I made a list of goals I wanted to reach at the end of the year. Currently sitting in the last week of the year I can happily say I more than met all of my goals over the past year, which tells me that 1. I should aim higher next year and 2. all my hard work paid off. It’s definitely not always easy to keep working, but now I can see the value of keeping at it even when I didn’t always feel like it.
3. Listen to your body
Moving on from my last point, there has to be a point where you know enough is enough. I’ve definitely gotten better at listening to my body over the past year. Finding balance can be hard sometimes when you’re really busy, but I think our minds and bodies have ways of telling us what we need, and we have to listen.
4. Plan Ahead
If there’s one thing I’ve 100% got better at this year it’s being organised. I hate the feeling of being unproductive and wasting time, so I spend a little time each day planning for the days/ weeks/ months ahead. It’s helped me make the most out of every day. I can look back on my diary over the past year and know I didn’t take one day for granted – that’s a pretty good feeling 😊
5. Don’t give up after the first try
Have you ever put 110% effort into something and it didn’t work out? I have. There is nothing worse than that disheartening feeling you get when things don’t work out the way you want them to. However I’m a big believer in trusting the timing of your life and understanding that things work out the way they are supposed to when the time is right. Don’t let failure get you down, if it doesn’t work out, try again.
6. Push yourself outside of comfort zones
Most of the lessons on this list have been learnt by pushing myself out of my comfort zone. It’s hard and most of the time not enjoyable to do this, but the experience you get is invaluable. I’ve developed such confidence in myself – not that I’ll be great at everything I do, but knowing that I can give it one hell of a go.
7. Life is short, forgive quickly
One of the hardest lessons I’ve learnt this year is how short life can be. Silly fights and grudges are wasting precious time. If you want to give someone a second chance, do. Life is too short.
8. Stop and appreciate
A year has flown by and I really feel like I haven’t taken enough time to just appreciate how good it was. This is why it’s important to take time at the end and really just celebrate all the good things that have happened. Because if you don’t, then what’s the point? Next year I want to spend a little bit more time reflecting and celebrating the good things as they happen through out the year.
So with all of that said, 2017 I’m ready! I can’t wait to see what you have in store for me,
I hope you all have a great New Years,
See you back here in 2017,
Lou x
