And so the adventure begins…..The rest is still unwritten, and the best is yet to come. The year 2022!!

Since the start of Covid, I no longer focus on new year resolutions or approach them at all. I realized there are way more significant and daunting achievements to complete in 2022, and I would prefer not to put pressure/stress on myself. In my childhood/adolescence years, I remembered that on the 31st of December, I would grab a notepad and create a checklist of what I would like to accomplish in the New Year. My favourite resolution without fail each year was to get in shape; such a simple request for my younger self, but at the same time, it was fun to check off but harder to follow. I also remember that mid-month of January, I will quit. My goals were not anywhere being a SMART goal.

2020-2021 has not been the easiest of years, as we are all going through a pandemic/epidemic. I realized that 2020 was a wake-up call because the whole world would agree that waiting on NY’s resolution to make a fundamental positive change is too late and unrealistic. The year 2021 was a year of racing and battling for normality. Still, it was the year of challenges, innovation and adjusting to new norms, new mandates, etc.; at the same time, trying hard to cope and adapt to the new way to live while securing our financial futures, reflecting what is more important to us.

Therefore same me, but a new year is the best version of me, and I will continue to choose self-love and self-care. Creating a New Years’ resolution is not realistic for me as an adult, but in my opinion, past year reflection (PYR) is much more suitable. To create your Past Year Reflection (PYR), you will need a notebook/ a piece of paper to write out your summary of 2021 in two columns: pros and cons. The pros and cons will include your achievements, failures and what triggered you during the year, whether person, commitment or activities. When completed, you work on removing the bad apples/stress in your life to have a successful 2022 year.

To end my long rant, I would list below what past years and more so 2021 have taught me: 

1. Time waits for no one as life is too short.
2. You do not need a special day to make a difference, as every day is an incredible opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
3. Appreciate life and what comes with it, and don’t take things lightly or for granted. Be content with yourself.
4. Closer family relationships are essential, and we connect more deeply with the people we love.
5. Check-in on that special friend.
6. Surround yourself with active things ( during the summer of 2021, I worked hard to stay active almost every day. ( 30days workout challenges-ongoing, bicycling in the neighbourhood, or a simple night stroll also sufficed).
7. Challenges are a great way to see your growth. Be adaptive and flexible, and make sure that your goal is to create a life that comes with greater freedom at the end of the day.
8. Stick to achieving your goals, and stay consistent even after the bravado of the ringing of the new year wilts away. 
9. Finally-nothing absolutely nothing is a given, so be the ‘BOSS’ of your life and in everything you do. 

Be Thankful to GOD.

Let me know in the comments below! What 2021 has taught you?