Lessons I Learned In 2017
Oh 2017, you have been an emotional roller coaster, you have strengthened and pushed me to my limits, something I have to be proud of. But you have also made me question myself, my future and most importantly my personal growth.
Over the 12 months I've grown to understand myself a little better. I've grown to be confident and strong whilst dealing with my mental well - being which is always going to be a long journey to recovery but it's a journey I'm most proud of and most willing to travel - whether the good days and bad days hit me like a bolt of lightening and stop me in my tracks, it's a lesson i'm still learning. As i'm entering a new chapter of my best self, i feel proud and ready to tackle whatever comes my way.
1. Don't sell yourself short and stop putting too much pressure on yourself.
2. Going through ups and downs is part of life. Keep riding the waves.
3. Take advantage of 'me time', take time to be alone with yourself. It's vital for your mental well-being. Your mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, you are a warrior and a survivor.
4. Growing up is inevitable, no matter how old you get, always foster the little kid inside you.
5. Be patient because you will panic and feel overwhelmed at some point that nothing is going according to 'plan'. And remind yourself that life with work itself out.
6. There is no need to rush. Life is short and there maybe people in your life reaching milestones like graduation, marriage and family etc. Don't rush to get to the 'good parts' because you've yet to face it and it will happen when the time is right.
7. Do what you love and what makes you happy.
8. Don't compare yourself, it doesn't matter what other people are doing with their lives despite how hard it is to look at them and think 'they are doing so much better than me'. The chances are they are on the same boat as you and learning as they go.
9. Progress is better than perfection.
10. Always treat yourself and buy that lipstick *wink wink*
11. Always stand up for yourself and who you are.
12. You are vailid. You are smart. You are unique. You are beautiful. You are important. YOU MATTER.
13. Take time to grow and enjoy the journey.
14. Animals make everything better. Being in the presence of animals is bliss
15. Trust your instincts and listen to your heart. You can't go wrong
16. I am capable. I have the ability and the ambition to succeed whatever I put my mind to.
17. Do what works best for you and don't care what others are expecting of you.
18. Don't be afraid to be more independent and put yourself out there. There's always time for self discovery and it's beautiful
19. You can never go wrong with a good cup of coffee/hot chocolate/tea and inspiring quote.
20. Embrace imperfection. Progress isn't perfect. Life isn't perfect. Nobody is perfect. We are raw and imperfect beings and we're learning at each step, and we may not get it 'right'. Life is growth and perfection doesn't exist.
So that's my lessons of 2017, it's been challenging but it's taught me about the power of writing things down. Words are powerful. And to always keep writing and creating.
Life is messy no matter how much we visualize it. Not all lives look the same nor are we the same. Compared to the lives in our head, as much as we plan, work, or detail, as much as we drive ourselves insane over perfection. Live for yourself. Life is imperfect, just like humans and that's ok. Imperfection is ok.
Life doesn’t always go as planned and that’s okay. You’re only human and you don’t have to have it all figured out yet. In fact no one as it figured out. You’re learning, and that’s a good thing.
"The first step in a new direction, doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be a step" - Cassie Nightingale (Good Witch)
I hope 2018 treats you all well.
