The year 2020 has been nothing short of unpredictable. For some of us it was a test of strength and for others it presented us with the opportunity to thrive and create. Personally, it was a combination of both and if I am being honest, the test was great. We will all have testimonies to share from our 2020 year long experience. Going forward into a new day and a new year, we must learn what we can and find ways to better cope and thrive in 2021.
Regardless of what happens in life or how it happens, life doesn't necessarily get better. There will be BS at every stage. You have to get better.
A modified excerpt from Lines of Love & Living
Learning From 2020
What have you learned from 2020? I have learned that the human body and mind can deal with a lot but it also needs time to rest and recuperate. There are various factors that can lead to stress and anxiety. We have all had to deal with various stressors at some point, whether it was during high school, grad school, a pandemic or even work. Impending deadlines, poor preparation/planning, overthinking, burnout, procrastination and improper self-care and management can lead to stress and anxiety.
It is important to work smart, not just work hard. Divide your time wisely. I found that I spent too much time creating instead of marketing. You can have great work ethics but if you are not doing the right things at the right time, you will not see your desired results.
Make smart plans. I have started journaling and making to-do lists because as young as I am I will still forget things. You should write down your vision and goals for the upcoming year. This helps you to avoid procrastination and become a bit more progressive in a step by step methodological way. Make plans and work in silence. Allow your success to make the noise.
Practice a lot of self love and self care. I wish I had placed more emphasis on this. The lines between working from home and living at home can quickly become blurred if you are not careful. Do what you can and then no more, the rest of the time should be spent taking care of yourself and your family. If you are using the computer, protect your eyes from its very damaging blue light by wearing blue light glasses. I learned this the hard way after going to my optometrist. Dedicate a few hours to yourself each week to pamper yourself. It can be as simple as basic grooming. Exfoliate your skin, clip your nails and give yourself a scalp massage. These things tend to be a part of my weekly self-care routine. Ensure that you also eat well. Fruits, vegetables and water are just as important as all of the other components of your diet. You should incorporate these along with some simple stretches or light exercise.
Create a beautiful space for yourself. Even if it means getting that one extra thing that you have always wanted. I finally purchased my macrame as part of my room decor. It is one of those things that makes me smile each time I see it. I do not know if it actually chases away bad dreams but it is a simple piece that is beautiful to see. My indoor plants also help to beautify my space, while also filtering the air.
Ensure that you are resting well. There are nights when we simply cannot turn our brains off or we just are not tired enough to fall asleep. When I know that I need to sleep, I generally use lavender essential oil to help me. It calms me down and helps me to drift off into sleep when I least expect it. Generally I like to place a drop or two on my pillow then inhale a drop from the palm of my hands. It is a very potent oil so a little goes a long way. You can also add a few drops to your diffuser. Especially in the winter time, you need that extra moisture in the air and combined with the lavender essential oil, it can be a powerful knockout. I also like to light candles at times and I generally stick to vanilla scented candles or linen as they are not overpowering and have a subtle scent.
Protect your peace and be consistent. The things that affect you are what you allow. People, situations and careers that no longer serve you or disrupt your peace should be removed from your life or at least given the least priority. The bare minimum. Do not strive to be perfect in your actions and your goals. Instead, try to consistently work on things, one day at a time. Remember that to-do list? Yeah, tick something off each day. The sense of accomplishment when you do that is amazing!
Make better financial decisions this year. If you lost income, try to plan and write out all of your expenses and see how much you can actually save from your monthly income. Do not rely on government cheese or anyone to help you. Proper financial planning goes a long way. You should be your own backup plan. Maybe it is time to start that business or learn that new skill. Whatever it may be, have the mindset that the odds are stacked in your favor and you will win. If you had a good financial year, teach others how to do the same. There are free resources that allow you to do so. Put some good energy out into the world.
Finally, if you made it through 2020 with your sanity it means you are strong and resilient. It is okay if you were broken during the process. It happens to the very best of us. Truly love yourself, be honest and upfront. Pace yourself and be consistent. You will flourish. Happy new year! We are rooting for you!
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