Hello lovelies! Can you believe we have made it through another year? I feel like I say this every year, but for some reason, this year, in particular, feels like it flew by faster than any that I can remember. As we transition to the new year I like to take time to reflect on the current year. I like to acknowledge what I did well, things I want to do better, and what goals can I set for myself in the new year.
As you reflect on your year, think about your goals, accomplishments, and things you want to move away from. The last part might be the hardest because letting go is not always the easiest. To continue growing and progressing as people, there are some things that we have to let go of so I put together this list of things to leave in 2019.
Toxic Relationships
This refers to friendships as well as intimate relationships. If you are putting in all of the effort and not getting anything in return, it’s time to stop and evaluate. Letting go may seem hard, but when you rid your life of things and people that do not serve you, you feel better in time. Relationships should be two-sided and no one person should have to put in all of the effort to keep it afloat. If a relationship makes you feel bad about yourself or just overall not well it may not be the best for you.
Self-Doubt
This is a big one guys. We all have moments that we doubt ourselves or feel intimidated by the idea of doing something new. We are human and it is normal to feel nervous sometimes. The self-doubt I am referring to is beating yourself up or being negative to yourself. When you feel doubt creeping in try to think about and write down something you have done that you are proud of.
Bad Spending Habits
Whether you are 25 or 35 it’s time to let go of bad spending habits and impulsive spending habits. I know that we all want to reward ourselves from time to time, but make sure you are spending your money wisely. Create a realistic budget for yourself and make sure you are putting aside money for your future as well (see this article for saving ideas). When I was a kid my mom always told my siblings and me that money doesn’t grow on trees (I wish it did).
Comparing Yourself to Others
Comparison is the thief of joy. Stop and read that again, COMPARISON IS THE THIEF OF JOY. It is so easy to look at social media and see what seems to be everyone else living a perfect life. None of us are perfect and what I can tell you as a content creator is that the curated feed you see on Instagram is not a true reflection of anyone’s life; if anything, it is just a small percentage of their everyday lives. Do not allow your opinion of what someone else’s life might be change how you feel about yourself. Live your life for you and try to become a better person each day.
Not Being Kind to Yourself
I know that I have been guilty of pushing myself too hard and not listening to my body when it needs me to slow down. Take the time to listen to those cues and if you are tired allow yourself time to rest. If you’re not feeling the best mentally, take some time for yourself whether that is indulging in-home self-care or seeking the help of a therapist if you feel that the things happening in your life are too much for you to manage on your own.
Feeling Guilty
Sometimes I feel like there is always something to feel guilty about. Whether it is something that society is making us feel that we should be doing or that internal voice that makes us feel like we should be doing more. Let go of that feeling of guilt, instead of letting those feelings take over, write down something that you feel good about. Journaling and writing down your thoughts is a great way to clear your mind and let go of negative feelings.
Worrying What Others Think Of You
I feel like when I hit my late 20’s worrying about others opinions of me lessened, and when I hit my 30’s I just plain don’t care. This is not a negative thing because I strive to be good to those around me. When we focus on what others are thinking about us, we can clutter our minds with negative thoughts. The truth is that in most cases people are not even thinking about us. So let go of those feelings of worry and just continue to strive to be a better you each day.
Living a Cluttered Life
A cluttered home environment can make your brain feel cluttered. If your home is full of clutter try to come up with a plan to organize even if that means one room at a time. I think of my home as my solace, the place that I come when everything in the outside world is feeling crazy. Having this clean, organized, safe haven makes me feel like I have a space to recharge from the outside world.
People Pleasing
Of course, we want to be kind to those around us, but not at the expense of ourselves. It is ok to say no when there’s something you don’t really want to do, or If you are super busy and simply don’t have time. Those that love you will understand and not be upset with you. We cannot sacrifice our happiness and mental health in order to make everyone else happy. It is ok to be a little selfish with your time if you need time to yourself to recharge.
Stop Snoozing
Yep, I know this one will not be popular, but stop hitting the snooze button. When we hit the snooze button for 5 more minutes do we really feel more rested, no, right? The sleep quality you get when you hit snooze for 5- and 10-minute intervals is very poor, so get up after the first alarm and get your day started.
Making changes can seem hard, but letting go of these negative things will make you feel better. Let 2020 be the year that you continue to grow as a person and become a better version of yourself. Just remember that we are all works in progress!
Set your intentions for the year and if you do not already practice the habit of writing down your thoughts start now. Use the affiliate link below to purchase my favorite planner and journal.
*This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
