Today is officially the last day of 2017. I can’t believe it’s that time again when I write my year end post which hopefully I can do annually.
2017 was a crazy fast year. It went by so quickly I had to check on my photos to see what transpired this year. And as usual each year brings a handful of learnings, lessons and realizations which I like sharing here on my blog.
Though these learnings aren’t really new and the lessons may or may not have been presented one too many times, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. I guess life really is all about the trivial things and the things that make you think & make you realize it’s worth living right?
So here’s what 2017 made me realize which hopefully I get to carry with me as I welcome 2018.
Always be grateful & kind.
There’s a huge difference when you practice being grateful and kind. It’s like the universe conspires to reward you for emulating these traits. While the world can be a scary and negative place sometimes, being grateful and kind can make it less.
It’s easy to be grateful and kind when you’re happy and everything is going right. The challenge is to practice it when things don’t go your way. To be grateful for the things that didn’t happen even if you wanted to and to be kind to others even if they’re not towards you. Going to carry this with me in 2018.
Go somewhere you’ve never been.
Travel. 2017 has been a great year for me to see places I’ve never been and I’m beyond grateful for the opportunities to see the world. While I really am a nervous flyer and I dislike the hassle traveling comes with, I’d like to do it more often. It’s a great way to make you feel alive. And this is something I really hope I can continue to do in the coming years. Hopefully we get to save, save and save so we can go see more of the world. #tripsoverthings for 2018!
Connect with people
For an introvert like me social gatherings isn’t my strong suit. Fine not totally an introvert, probably an ambivert but let’s just say I’m really awkward when it comes to socializing. Still my work has lead me to meet amazing individuals. And I’m just glad most if not all of them have inspired me to be better. They most probably don’t know the effect they have on me but that’s not important. What’s important is in these chance encounters they become a part of my life. No matter how fast or deep the connection was, it’s something I’ll always be thankful for.
You win some, you lose some.
A lifelong lesson that we all already know. Like you can’t have it all. Because life is all about balance & knowing you can’t always have the good stuff without a little bit of the bad makes it a little less stressful to live. Right? I think this is something everyone should keep in mind.
Fun fact: life isn’t fair and it’s okay. You win some, you lose some. And once you’ve come to terms with this you’ll eventually manage better in life. It lessens expectations, it lessens hurt, it lessens sadness and it increases motivation to just keep going and to accept what life has to offer you.
Gracefully let go.
Why is it hard to let go? Because the connection, time, and effort we’ve given to something or someone are the things that makes us hold on. When you’ve invested one or all of these we find it hard to let go. I guess I’m still learning this up to now. But I always keep in mind that sometimes I need to let go so that I can grow or so I can be ready to accept new things in my life.
Carve out time to do something you like.
It’s easy to manage the things you NEED to do on a daily basis but let’s admit it, it’s hard to find time to do what you like. We tend to put less priority to the things we enjoy doing because for us it’s not as important as the things we need to do. WRONG. Doing something you like once in a while will help you get through doing the things you need to do. It doesn’t even have to be something extreme or new, just something you like to do that makes you glad you’re alive. Whether you like watching a TV series, going to the gym, or doing absolutely nothing, as long as you like it, then do go it.
Don’t give a fuck when it’s not yet your turn to give one.
Probably one of the best things I’ve learned this year. I tend to care about a lot of things. Things that are sometimes even irrelevant to me. Things that I’m pretty sure don’t give a fuck about me. So why the hell am I exerting too much effort and energy giving a fuck about them? I don’t know if it’s age or experience that made me realize this but it’s one of those things I’m grateful I’ve managed to practice this year. Life is short, it can be crazy and it can be complicated so choose situations & people you want to give your fucks to. Sorry for my French! If you don’t get what I mean read Mark Manson’s The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck. It can be life changing.
In the end it all starts with you.
No any other motivation (whatever or whoever this is) is going to help you kick start your resolutions, form new habits, make you happy, make you healthy, make you wiser if you don’t ignite you the spark of willingness inside you. In the end it all starts with you. What you want your life to be for the coming year, you decide.
Start now
While it’s always default that we make resolutions every beginning of the year, I’d like to believe there is no perfect time to start than NOW.
What you do today is the result of what’s to happen to you tomorrow. Whether you have a list of resolutions you want to achieve or goals you’ve set yourself to smash, start now. Oh and don’t forget to do something that your future self will thank you for.
In my case it’s my yearly resolution of drinking more water. Gotta learn how to hydrate well. Hahaha.
Here’s to 2017. Thank you for all the lessons, moments, love and like, sadness and heartache. You were crazy fast yet you were just what I needed. 2018, I don’t know what you have in store for me, my family and friends but we’re looking forward to welcoming you later!
Last day of 2017 make it count!
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