We’ve survived yet another post-COVID-19 year, welcoming the highs and lows, in the aftermath of a pandemic that has made very permanent changes to the world, and life as we know it.
As I enter 2023 with eyes wide open and looking forward to the prospects that this new year will bring, I am reflective, as I’m sure many of you are, on the year that was, and anxious as to the year that will be.
With this in mind, in this article, I will be sharing 22 lessons I’ve learned over the past year, from my successes and failures, as well as from observing the world around me.
The world is constantly changing and if your goal is to thrive within it, then you must learn to quickly adapt to these changes. Whether it be a global pandemic or political upheaval, the ability to pivot and find new ways of doing things has been a crucial lesson for individuals and businesses alike.
While you work to ensure your physical, financial and emotional well-being, don’t forget to also make time to improve your mental well-being. Whether it be through therapy, support groups, or just taking time to relax and recharge, taking care of our mental well-being is a crucial component of our overall health and happiness.
We all have different goals and different timelines to accomplish these goals. There is no need to feel anxious or intimidated by the accomplishments of others. The grass is greener wherever you are, so focus only on doing what you need to do, to get where you need to be.
With so many external factors beyond our control, it is important to find internal motivation and drive. Whether it be for work, school, or personal goals, self-motivation is important for staying focused and achieving success.
As disheartening as it can be when things don't work out the way we would’ve liked, this year I've learned that with every disappointment there is a lesson to be learned. Though disappointment is not pleasant, it can be a valuable teacher. When disappointment comes, instead of dwelling on the negative emotions it brings, try to find the lesson in the madness.
Knowing your worth is important because it helps you to have a clear understanding of what you are capable of and what you should expect in terms of compensation, recognition, and treatment in personal and professional relationships. When you know your worth, you are more likely to set boundaries, communicate effectively, and make decisions that align with your best interest and goals.
Despite what may be happening in your life at a particular time, in 2022 I was reminded to take a moment to appreciate the good things. Not only does practising an attitude of gratitude help to shift our focus from the negative to the positive, but it has also been linked to several benefits. Some of these benefits include improved mental well-being, strengthened personal relationships and consistent personal growth.
I think this one probably goes without saying, however, if you aim to be more productive and successful in your personal and professional lives, this should start with realistic goal-setting. Setting realistic goals will heighten the likelihood of achievability because they are specific, measurable and timely.
A wise man once said and I quote "everyone you meet knows something you don’t, learn from them". Being willing to learn is vital for both professional and personal development.
If something seems too good to be true, it more than likely is. Don’t allow yourself to be fooled by appearances, look beyond the surface and exercise caution when making decisions.
This one was a hard pill for me to swallow, but let's just say I've learned it is impossible to make everyone happy. It is okay to do what you believe is right, even if it means that some people will be unhappy with the outcome.
While I’m sure many of us would love for the people in our lives today to stay in our life forever, unfortunately, this may not always be the case. Over time the people you consider to be friends will change as different people come into and move out of your life. Friendships like all relationships go through stages and as a result, it is normal for some friendships to end.
Only you are responsible for your personal growth and development, so taking action to improve yourself should be a priority. Investing in yourself can take many forms such as furthering your education, prioritizing your physical health and spending time doing the things you love.
Rome was not built in a day, similarly, you won’t achieve all your goals overnight. Instead of focusing solely on the end result, have faith in the steps and methods being used to achieve your goals.
Do not allow yourself to be swayed by the superficial or material possessions of others, your time will come but until then, focus on achieving your goals and aspirations. Success is not a competition, there is enough of it to go around for everyone.
If you’re serious about personal growth, then you should know that growth does not happen inside your comfort zone. While having a comfort zone is great, they make us a little too “comfortable” in doing the things we enjoy, and we rarely ever consider trying something new. Stepping out of your comfort zone can help you to grow as a person, become more resilient, and live a more fulfilling life.
If the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and life thereafter taught us anything, it’s the importance of financial literacy. Becoming financially literate means being able to understand and manage one’s finances effectively. It includes understanding topics such as budgeting, investing, saving, credit and financial planning.
You’ve only got one life to live but if you do it right, once is good enough. Try to make the most of your days while you still have life. Embrace new experiences, take risks, spend time with the people you love, follow your passions and explore new places and cultures.
Navigating everyday life is challenging enough without the additional self-hate making your days even more difficult. You owe it to yourself to be kind and compassionate, forgiving of your past mistakes, and avoid being too hard on yourself. To love yourself means you will have a deep sense of self-acceptance, self-worth, and self-respect.
The world has changed significantly over the last 20 years and even more so in the aftermath of the pandemic. While online education has been around for some time the shift to remote learning due to the pandemic has shown just how effective it can be.
From virtual classrooms to online course offerings, education can now be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. That said, if you haven’t already, now is the time to embrace online learning. Unlike physical classrooms, online learning allows you to learn at your own convenience, at your own pace and from anywhere around the world.
The shift to remote work and online learning has highlighted the importance of digital literacy. From learning how to use new software and tools, to understanding how to protect ourselves online, being digitally literate has become a necessary skill.
Achieving success is not a one-time event, but rather a continuous process of growth and development. Success is not just about reaching a specific goal or destination, but rather about the journey or process of working towards that goal. It's about the effort, the process and the progress made along the way, rather than just the end result.
Well, there you have it folks! My 2022 in a nutshell.
There were many successes and even more lessons learned. I hope you were able to find value in my reflections, but more importantly that you've been inspired to reflect on what lessons you learned from 2022.
As always thank you for reading. If you haven't already, go follow us on Instagram @survivingyour20somethings and on Facebook @survivingyour20somethings.
If you decide to conduct your own reflections on the lessons 2022 taught you, I would love to hear all about it in the comments below.
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