Happy New Year

Hello everyone!

Today’s post might be quite lengthy, a bit deep but I hope it contains some useful advice on how to conquer 2017 now that we’ve survived 2016.

Don’t make this a year of resolutions. Make this year a year of accepting your flaws and striving to achieve your ambitions hand in hand with your strengths and weaknesses. It doesn’t matter if last year was a disaster – life isn’t a competition to win. Life is your soul – what you put in, is what you reap out in rewards.

Twelve months is a long time when you think about it; however, when you live it, it flashes by incredibly rapidly. Time travelling doesn’t exist. If you don’t seize your opportunities when they come by, there is no guarantee you will be offered the same chances again later in life.

If you realise deep down you are doing something you loathe, recognise it is never too late to learn something new. Set yourself apart from the crowd, after all no one has your best interests at heart in society. People care but it is always me, me, me. You need to be selfish too at times.

Don’t hold yourself back because someone is imploring you to. You may be in the ‘same boat’ but you’re not in it together. No one ever is. There is always going to be someone looking out for themselves. Only you can fend for yourself completely. It’s called independence and self belief.

Remain on the Right Side of the Law:

Don’t venture too far into the wild side in order to “escape”. Find an escape in something you love – a hobby or two. When things get rough, don’t turn to the things that will land you in jail. Seek comfort from a trusted friend, and support from the right people in authority. There is always someone waiting to help someone. It’s alright to be vulnerable – sometimes the right support can help change someone’s future into a brighter tunnel of hope.

Breathe:

Remember to have your downtime when you’re completing back to back stressful jobs. Everyone needs a breather once in a while. Resurface and participate in something that makes you smile before returning to the task at hand.

A little faith and belief can go a long way:

There is nothing you can’t do. You can achieve EVERYthing if you believe in yourself. Don’t let the doubt whisper in your head that you’re going to fail. Sometimes, some struggles take a little longer than others to overcome. Time doesn’t matter here – it’s a success whether it took you two weeks or two decades. You got there in the end.

Learn to get back up after a kick to the gut:

If you flop you haven’t failed at life. Have a cry, punch a wall, learn the valuable lesson, and then go for round two. Never give up because “it’s too hard”. Give up because you have succeeded at achieving your goal.

Appreciate yourself:

Commit yourself to walking by a mirror and taking a moment to smile and realise you are beautiful. Inside and out. Not everybody has to be the next top model to be beautiful. Beauty begins with you realising that DNA makes us all different meaning we all have originality. And with originality comes beauty. Maybe it’s your long eyelashes, sleek fingernails, hooked nose, hazel eyes or your rounded figure. You are beautiful. Period.

They lie about perfection:

It doesn’t exist, and never will. Therefore don’t put yourself down when you miss your goals. Instead use it to help you improve or decide whether you’re meant for another path. The idea of perfection will only exist for as long as people believe that everything can be perfect. My perfection is different to yours. Perfection can not be defined so do not wind yourself up over it.

Keep tabs on friends from year —-

Keep in touch with the people you miss. The chances are the feelings of missing someone are not one sided. It takes two to tango and it also takes two to create memories worth missing. Reach out, meet up, exchange messages. It is nice to keep in touch with your past when the memories bring you happiness.

Don’t live inside the box:

If you want to do something, do it. People are not always going to push you in the right direction if it means you are going to experience better opportunities and progress faster in life. Help yourself. Life is an open buffet. Make the most of it. Explore adventurously, and the judgemental opinions of people shouldn’t repress you.

Shine bright like a diamond:

Don’t hide your talents. Don’t let your skills go to waste. Instead let it be your safe haven – a place where you don’t have to think about what you’re doing because you know what you’re doing so well.

Mainstream isn’t always right for you:

Follow your heart not the mind telling you what is in or out. Know the difference between your heart chasing a realistic dream and a pretentious dream.

Poison stays in the system for long:

Be careful who you give your trust too. If someone hurts you intentionally once, they are most likely to do it again. It is normal to keep your guard up, but at the same time make sure your head is held high. Be proud of yourself. Don’t let anyone’s words chip away at your strength, and any scornful, piercing looks bring you down. At the end of the day, you are *insert your name* which is enough to make anyone jealous. Don’t let anyone use you, threaten you, hurt you, backstab you, backchat you or silence you. You are a living being, and living beings deserve respect. It doesn’t have to be earned by strangers, friends, passerbys – whether someone respects you back is another story. Giving respect is the first step towards valuing someone else’s life.

2017 is the start of a new year. Whether you want to view it as a fresh start, or a continuing series of your life in episodes, it is up to you. One thing you cannot change is that a year has gone by, and that a new year is beginning to trickle by. Make the seconds count, and love yourself every bit of the journey.

I’m not going to lie. I’ve had a few  downs this year but I’m ending 2016 on an up because why not? I’ve realised that that’s one thing I have control over. And that’s why 2016 is going with a smile.

Have an incredibly prosperous and safe 2017. I hope it brings you many smiles, laughs and tears of joy x

If you enjoyed today’s post, you can click the cute follow button to keep up to date with all my posts. Have a wonderful day or a good night’s sleep.

P.S Who else is looking forward to accidentally writing 2016 in their school books? What tips do YOU have for 2017?