It’s good to reflect on what you’ve learned over the past year or so. Here’s 10 things I’ve realized/recognized over the past year particularly. I think deep down I was aware of these lessons long ago, but sometimes they really need to sink in from experience before you fully grasp them.

I’m goal oriented. I feel more content when I’m setting and reaching new goals. Blogging helps hit this concept home as it involves a lot of planning, scheduling, and goal setting. It scratches that itch I need to reach targets I set for myself. I’ve also noticed I do better at my paid full time job when there’s tangible targets set. I like being able to check things off as I complete them. Maybe I should start writing to-do lists!

I needed to improve my boundaries. I’ve become a lot better at setting and maintaining boundaries, particularly in the past few months. I used to let people come and go as they pleased or I’d accept invitations for things I didn’t necessarily want to go to. I can confidently say that I’m going into 2022 with a newfound awareness of how important it is to uphold the boundaries I set.

I see my writing as art rather than a business. For a while I was on the fence when it came to my books. I didn’t want to view them as a business, but I was also interested in exploring the marketing side of being an indie author. In the end, I realized I’d rather let go of the stress trying to sell a certain # of books every month. As a goal-driven person, it can get depressing if I apply targets to my published books and they don’t sell much. Rather than put myself through that, I’ve allowed myself to view my writing as art. Those who are meant to read my work will find it and read it. There’s something really special about that.

I’ve missed my natural hair colour. I’ve dyed my hair since 2009 and I’ve been blonde for the better part of 9 years. It can get costly and it’s also damaged my hair. I think it will be nice to slowly transition back to my natural brown hair colour. It’ll save me money and I look forward to seeing how long it can grow without dyes and bleaches sabotaging it. If I do go back to blonde, at least it’ll be at a better starting point that it is now.

I don’t always need to explain myself. I’ve often felt the need to confirm my opinion or make my stance known on certain topics. There are times when it’s totally fine or necessary to explain yourself/state your opinion, but I’ve started to let go of that inner need I have to be understood by people. The reality is people usually project their own ideas onto others. People you like and care about might never get to know you – they’ll underestimate you, assume you think a certain way, think you’re crazy/silly/too serious/etc. – and it’s just how it is. You can’t control how people see you, but you can teach yourself to become less bothered by it.

I’ve found a lot more peace since I realized I don’t need to defend why I prefer to do things a certain way. Let people think what they want. Those who are meant for you will take the time to get to know you – and they’ll enjoy the process.

I LOVE blogging. This one’s likely a no-brainer, but I absolutely love blogging and what it entails.

Healthy relationships make you feel good – bad relationships make you feel confused. If someone’s meant for you, they’ll be there for you in an uncomplicated way. They won’t make you question if they’re interested in you, because they won’t leave you any room to wonder. I’m not saying there will never be challenges or disagreements, but what I am saying is that the one for you will stick it out with you no matter what comes up. If things are meant to be, they will work out. It sounds so simple, but it’s the truth. People who have successful romantic relationships always say how easy it was to be with their significant other from the start. When we care about something or someone, we prioritize them even if we’re busy or if there’s challenges that arise. Trust me on this one – you can save yourself months or even years of feeling sad by not worrying about the people who don’t care about you.

Life is so much simpler when you don’t reply to random DMs. Sometimes I’d reply to random strangers online to be nice or because it seemed like they care, but generally it wastes your time and stresses you out. I hate feeling like a snob, but nobody is entitled to my time. Time is money and I don’t need to give it to people who think they can use it to relieve their boredom. Time should be given to the special people in your life – friends, family, significant other, close colleagues, etc. Let the guilt go when you don’t want to reply to random people on the internet.

I love having a simple life. A simple life is what makes me feel the best. I’m happier when life is uncomplicated (Obviously, things come up and stress happens, but I’m referring to day to day life). I don’t need a lot of things to feel satisfied. I live in an area where I can go on a lot of local adventures so I don’t feel a need to escape to a big exotic vacation somewhere. As long as I’m close to nature with good food, a few cute outfits, and my own room, I’m good. If I can have those things with someone who loves me for who I am, then I’m rich.

That doesn’t mean I don’t like going to concerts, vacations, or parties – I really love those things in moderation. I’ve noticed that the people who are always seeking the next best thing never seem to be happy – likely because they don’t know how to be happy with what they already have. Maybe that’s the real secret to life – finding joy in the simpler things and watering the grass on your side of the fence.

Beware of people who are bored easily.

I think this was always a red flag for me in new friendships or relationships, but if I really liked someone, I’d ignore this bad sign. The thing is, people who are bored easily will eventually become bored with you. They don’t take initiative to be productive or keep themselves entertained so they try to find excitement from other people – and when those people get too boring, they’ll seek out new people to entertain them and the cycle continues.

It’s not about what you’re doing, but who you’re doing it with. That’s the real excitement some people seem to miss out on. So, now I just let those who are always so bored and find everything so boring stay out of my life. I love my life and I want to be around others who feel the same way about theirs.

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I hope you’ve enjoyed my blog post today. Until next time, take good care and have a lovely rest of your day/evening. 🙂

Are there any lessons you’ve learned in the past year?