While we’re speeding towards the end of the year, it seems as if last month, we were ringing in 2017. As we prepare ourselves for the holiday season and the coming of 2018, it’s time for us to reflect and renew. Everything is a learning experience, and I’m sure we all have a few memories we’d like to keep and others we’d like to discard. Before we archive the good and trash the bad, let’s reflect on our year and figure out ways to make 2018 our best yet.
Health
At the beginning of every year, many people make a resolution to “lose weight.” The actual goal should be to become healthier. While many of us are focused on the vanity aspect, our health matters more. Were you hoping to lose weight this year? Were you hoping to get healthier? Did you meet your goals? These are questions to ask. Some might reach their goals but many others may not.
Instead of focusing on the concrete goal, focus on the path to get there. What did you do right? What did you do wrong? As you reflect on your health journey, it’s important to remember that no one is perfect. There will be good days and bad days, but focus on the ways to have your good days outweigh your bad days by the end of 2017.
Personal Wellness
Physical health isn’t the only way to take care of yourself! There’s the emotional, mental, and spiritual aspect you also need to take inventory of. As days, weeks, and months roll by, it’s easy to focus on everything but ourselves. When was the last time you tried reconnecting with yourself? Personal wellness is something others can’t necessarily see, but you will feel. Busy days leave us tired and exhausted long after the sun has set, but setting aside one day a week will help us refocus and motivate our minds.
Friendships/Relationships
Towards the end of the year, it is easy to see how our friendships and relationships have either prospered or disappeared. Who have you lost? Who have you gained? When evaluating our lost relationships, we tend to have feelings of discouragement. Before holding on to those feelings, we must first decide whether the relationship was beneficial or harmful. If it was the latter, good riddance! If it was the first, then you can decide if and how you’ll take steps to repair the bond.
In the opposite form, we often look at new friendships or relationships in a positive light. Similar to the lost relationships, we have to do inventory on these people! Do they make us feel good about ourselves or bad? Do they support our goals or talk us down from them? Surrounding ourselves with positive people is a must so as we finish off this year and prepare for a new one, don’t be afraid to look at the receipts.
Careers
While we’re reflecting on everything else, we can’t forget about what many of us spend most of our time focused on – our careers. When it comes to work and the workplace, some are happy while others are stuck. If you’re a lucky one who has landed in a career that you love, be thankful and embrace it! For those who are unhappy with their current career, make a plan. Your ideas might not have worked in 2017 so come up with ways to tweak them for 2018! Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and ask for help. Landing one’s dream career isn’t always easy, but reflect on what worked and didn’t work, and adjust them to help you meet your goals!
The year 2017 is starting to wind down and it’s time to do inventory. We’re not doing out with the old and in with the new. Change it to out with the bad and in with the good. Don’t be afraid to pull the receipts up on every aspect of your life because at the end of the day, you’re the one paying the total! Focus on who and what worked and discard the rest. If something looks slightly questionable, don’t be afraid to reevaluate it. Price check!
In the comments let us know what steps you take to reflect on your life!
