Hey, Planner Friends and People from around the globe and to those stumble upon my blog! It has been a hot minute since I was here, I feel like year after year I’m going to be getting back into blogging then life happens… maybe 2023 will be kinder we’ll see…
What another year it has been right?! I mean if 2020 and 2021 weren’t bad enough, 2022 has been one of all sorts and then some on top! I’ve definitely had a year of learning yet again that’s for sure and since I’ve had 30-something years of mistake-making what I’ve learnt this year is so very important. Wanna know what I know?
1. Hug your loved ones and tell them what they mean to you.
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt in the past 9 years of my life is that life is precious and you never know what unexpected thing is around the corner to take those away that we love. Time is definitely precious and I feel with each year that passes I some how keep being reminded of that fact.
2. Maintaining friendships (and making new ones) is an active process and letting go of toxic friendships too.
This is something I learnt very much so last year (2021) and is still pretty much relevant to 2022, Things happen, and when things happen you start to look at the world in a different life and this is when your eyes open to see who actually doesn’t fit well with your life and it’s okay to take those steps away and to take a break, albeit a permenant one if needed. Infact most of the people that you call friends aren’t actually friends they’re acquainteances. They’re along for the ride in your life when it’s fun, convenient (to them i’ll add) or when you have value to be in there life. They’re the types of people to show up at parties and celebrations or get togethers but life isn’t always a celebration. Your real friends are the ones who are there in those moments when you literally have nothing to offer. And you can usually count those types of friends on one hand!
3. If you think something nice of someone tell them.
It’s no secret there isn’t enough kindness in this world, but if someone does something or you feel like something they did was nice or even as simple as they look nice whatever that thought may be, in this day and age you should open your mouth and tell them, because spreading a little kindness can really change someones outlook and no-one really knows who and what battles each of us are fighting daily.
4. Always invest in yourself.
Never think twice about buying something that could improve yourself, albeit a book, make up whatever your latest hobby is, chances are what your looking to buy will bring you some kind of joy and you only live once right?!
5. Asking for help isn’t a weakness.
I have learnt that asking for help when you need it isn’t some kind of akward or disgraceful weakness that some people think it is, there is nothing wrong in asking those around us for help and nothing wrong in seeking professional help, 2022 seriously tried my mental health in more ways than once and i’m not ashamed to say that I go into 2023 still in therapy, but that therapy is helping me help myself and that is strength not a weakness in my eyes!
6. Regret is way more painful than failure.
Life can really put your own self worth, self belief and self worth to the test sometimes and one thing I can hold my head high for is that every single decision I took I made and I did in 2022 I do not regret, sure I have things I could of done or said better but at the end of the day I don’t have any regrets in 2022 because I know regrest is way more painful than failure. Failure is a different aspect you should always make time to do the things you never regret and one thing that helps me emsenly is my time to journal.
7. Learn to say No.
Putting NO in to practise can take alot of self control, as i touched on this point at the end of 2021 I actually learned a different meaning to the word No this year, and it helped me alot. I said No to being treated with disrespect, I said No and stood up for myself even if I perhaps was wrong, I said No to being took out of my comfort zone and in all these NO’s it became apparent that I actually found that I took my control of my time and myself and my mental health just by saying No in certain situations.
8. Its okay to disagree with someone.
I can be a very arguementative person, but the one thing I learnt this year is not everyone shares the same values and outlooks on life and it’s okay to disagree with that situation and walk away from things. You believe in what you believe in and that’s what matters
9. You don’t need to have an opinion on everything.
If you don’t know something or don’t know enough and someone is quizing your or asking you about it, it’s okay not to have an opinion on something that you don’t know or don’t understand. Opinions are earned in my eyes.
10. Life doesn’t give you what you want.
Everything happens for a reason right? WRONG life only gives you what you need and can cope with. WRONG Life is life and non of us can predict it. Everything that has happend right up to now is where you are meant to be and the things you have learnt along the way is that very reason that has led to whom you are right now.
11. Being Independant is helpful.
If you know how to look after yourself you will never have to depend on anyone a day in your life. You won’t always have to rely on people at every moment of like, it’s an important tool for self growth and for survival.
12. Family isn’t always Blood.
I actually learnt that about 9 years ago that not actually being releative by blood doesn’t mean your family and it doesn’t take blood to be family. But in the same respect those who earn the place in your family have a valid reason for being there, sometimes we miss this as it’s not directly in your face what those people have done for you.
13. Stand up for what you believe in.
Never, I repeat Never let anyone tell you you cannot do something or your beliefs are wrong, or what your doing is wrong. This happend to me in 2022 unbeknown to me not directly said to me, but I stood tall did what I needed to do and again I will not let others belittle me or try to push me away I stand on my two feet and stand up for my decisions, my actions and everything I believe in and you should too.
14. Silence is golden.
As much as I have a huge list of bullshit I’d like to throw in some peoples faces about how they have treated me in 2022 I stay quite because I’m better than that and if I’ve learnt anything those who stab you in the back and are fake to your face will eventually crumble and when that happens well.. I can just say… whatever!
15. You can’t change people.
The only thing you can control is yourself and how you react to things. People don’t and won’t change unless they want to. If someone won’t listen to you at a normal decibel they’re less likely to listen if your screaming in their face. All you can do is love people well and live the example that you want to set, Hopefully, they’ll come around and if they don’t oh well, don’t waste time waiting for them though.
16. I no longer have time for fake people.
Learning that someone has been fake to your face for the best part of 9 years hurts, espechially when you’ve done everything you posibly cane to be nice, pleasant, helpful and get to know that person, when things happen the worms come out of the woodwork and then you find out things, finding this out, I no-longer have time for those fake people and it’s those fake people that inturn spread lies and crap about you to make themselves feel better. One thing I am not is fake.
17. Nothing is more important than health.
This year my health took a few scary turns and it’s made me more suseptable and mindful going into 2023 what I want to achieve this year. Look after yourself!
18. Absolutely nothing or anyone is worth the price of your health or peace of mind.
Never ever sacrifice these things for anything. You can’t live without either of them.
19. Stop Complaining.
This is a rule i need to live by this year, it’s always more relevant every year, when you complain or think negative thoughts your actually draining your won energy, you then inturn drain the energy of others around you no one wins so what is the point, you mayswell figure out a solution!.
20. Communicate.
It’s normal to have arguements or fights or disagreements with those in your life from time to time, it’s only normal when you spend so much time around each other, but commuinication is a key tool and saying no and saying you need space – see a theme here…
21. Be Yourself.
It’s true! be yourself because everyone else really is taken! Life happens, it’s how you responds that matters, I know for one I’ve seen, witnessed and disagreed with many things over the last 12 months but I’m me and I’ve done everything I could to make the right decisions, choices and experiences this past 12 months and for that I am myself!.
22. Freedom
I read at the start of the year – The most important kind of Freedom is to be what you really are. So for 2023 FREEDOM is my word of the year!
Stay Happy here’s to 2023!
Some great advice Carlyann, happy 2023 and hope your health takes a turn for the better!