New year, same me… but better.
I know we're a good few weeks into 2019 already, we’ve had time to stop accidentally writing 2018 as our date and are finally settling into the year. Usually, January tends to D - R- A - G but for some reason, this month seems to be going pretty quick don't you think? I haven't quite decided if this is because I’m getting older or we’re still on the high-speed train of 2018, or if it’s simply that we’ve been so busy we haven't noticed the days go by. Either way, this January definitely feels different to previous years… And I've launched my Blog, woop woop!
I don’t think I’m alone when I say that 2018 was definitely the foundation year. I learnt a lot of lessons, experienced new things, took risks and went with the flow more often. Did it always go as planned? Certainly not, but it reinforced that as long as you’re able to GROW with the flow, nothing in life will ever knock you down for long. It reminded me that I am far more capable than I let myself believe (which, if I’m honest is capable enough!) and that life is really what you make of it. This year I'm not changing. You heard! I like me, I like my character and I’m happy. This year I’m not apologising. I’ve identified my flaws and I've worked on them. We’re never perfect, but the first step is to appreciate the good in ourselves and never lose it. The next step is to be true to yourself and cut out the nonsense. Remember, you don’t have to become a different person to change. I’ve realised, sometimes it’s a mindset, a promise to yourself, a few tweaks… Whatever it is, identify and correct it. Often, the answers are staring us straight in the face, we’re just too stubborn in our ways (i’ll be the first to say I’m guilty of this). Find a friend, a partner, a parent, whoever. Find someone to keep you accountable and pull you up on your slack! Listen… IT HELPS!
2018 taught me to be selfish and invest in myself (I’m still a lovely person don’t worry!) I’ve stopped feeling guilty for things that are out of my control, stopped holding on to things that aren’t good for me and most of all, I’ve stopped making excuses. GROWTH was the word of the year, and through the ups and some downs, I am grateful for every lesson.
This year, we move! All of us. Expand from what you learnt last year, finalise those “when-the-time-comes” plans you have written up in your notes and go for it. We’re in a time where anything is possible, anyone can achieve their dream and nothing is the limit so why wouldn't you grasp it by the horns and go for it? Ahh, that’s right… fear. The fear you have just before you’re about to take a leap. Well, I’ll let you in on a secret - You can’t run from fear BUT it is all in your head - Everything is scary until it’s not. Let me tell you a quick story from my travels in Lombok**. One day I decided to go on a waterfall hike; my guide and I trekked 5 waterfalls, one of which was a drop from ground level where you could jump into the lake below. When I say it was a DROP please believe me. Every part of me was like NOPEEE but last minute I decided to jump. Fear definitely took over and made me change my mind but.. oops my feet went before my body had time to react (which is always the case, isn’t it?). Before I knew it I was falling so fast I honestly thought I was done for. I was by the way! I fell hard!
I had this smart idea halfway down that if I made my body go into an “L” position, somehow my fall will be softer because of the extra padding on my bum. Lorrrrrrrd how I was wrong! When I say I was fake smiling as I swam to safety at 1mph please believe me. Honestly, the pain! I thought that was it. I thought I was bleeding the lake out and needed to check into the hospital. Maybe I was being dramatic, but I couldn’t sit down properly for a few days after! ( I have since reviewed the footage and can confirm that what felt like a lifetime, was only a matter of seconds - Sigh!).
***Side note: please NEVER jump like that. If you’re crazy enough to jump, make yourself as straight as possible for goodness sake!
I’ll be honest this isn't the most uplifting example but I have a point, I promise! Would I do it again? Maybe not lol! BUT I am glad I did it. I’m glad I took a leap of faith (literally) and although it was out of my usual comfort zone, I had committed to the jump and gone through with it. Besides, it’s a story to laugh about now and I was actually really proud I didn’t die! The message here is that Fear is only fear when you let it get to you, the minute you see past it, you’re free to do anything you want (but apply common sense abeg). A lot of our dreams and goals are exciting until it’s finally time to do it, and then we let fear and doubt take over. Not this year people! I want you to TRY at least one thing new this year, something you’ve wanted to do. All that confidence you had at the beginning of the year, carry it through.
Whatever your New years' resolutions, personal or financial goals are, here are some tips to get you through this first month and ensure it isn't just another discontinued idea but actually something that you can reflect on and be proud that you didn’t give up. In no particular order, here are my top 5:
Stay CONSISTENT. Remember, baby steps are still steps!
Remind yourself of your goal and don’t compromise.
Invest in yourself and believe in your potential! - no-one can knock you down quicker than you!
Break down your goals and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Pride will be your biggest killer.
Forget what everyone else is doing. You go at your own pace, there’s no time to look elsewhere.
Something I did this year was to buy a diary and I’ve been consistent in writing in it daily. Last year I started but I never kept it up. This year I am better with my organisation, my planning and I feel like I have better discipline and control. If you are working on keeping consistent, find a way to track your progress and set yourself realistic targets. That way you have no excuses and have a visual reminder to work with. Remember, If it’s something you REALLY want, it won’t feel like extra work either!
I leave you with a final thought: The best change comes when you are fully aware of yourself - your flaws and your strengths. When you have acknowledged these traits, then you are able to work on the best version on yourself, and if you get it wrong, that’s fine! You are allowed to reinvent yourself as many times as you want. Sometimes though, you won’t even need to change, you just need to believe in your potential to kickstart the growth. .
Let me know how your 2019 is going so far. Have you set any goals? Are you prepared for the year ahead? Keep me posted!
Liz x
