Back in 2015, as the new year was breaking, I wrote 10 Things to Leave Behind in 2015… and I vowed to leave behind a lot of negative energy, cringe-worthy moments and anything that ultimately made me unhappy.
Looking on the past year, I have learnt a lot. Full of mistakes, achievements, hard decisions and sun-beaming-out-heart moments, it’s been a invigoratingly tough year which has flown by. I have been graced with opportunity and possibility, and faced with much self-doubt and confrontation.
2016 has been a year of growing up, standing up and speaking out. So what have I achieved? Did I really leave behind all the things I wanted to?
Leave behind thinking that you that you are incapable of doing something or being someone. You have the ability to do whatever you put your mind to!
This is one which is easier said than done. Naturally sometimes we confine or limit ourselves to sticking to what we know, or not believing in our own ability or talent. I definitely believe in and value myself more now. I know my limitations, my strengths and my talents, and harness what I can to do the best I can.
I never in a million years imagined I’d be at the Cosmopolitan Influencer Awards this year – and it just shows what you can do, if you work hard and put your mind to it. I’ve juggled study-courses, exercising, working full time, blogging, vlogging, a relationship, a social life, a social media life, chores and travelling: and I’ve come out the other side a better person. I think that’s something to be proud of.
Leave behind the all the flaws you keep fixating on and the times you really didn’t like who you were looking at in the mirror. Leave behind the self-doubt and the negativity
I still don’t fully ‘love myself’ – but I think most people don’t. I have insecurities and flaws like the best of us, and have continued to fixate on things I don’t like: cellulite, blemishes, the size of this, that and the other.
I still doubt myself, and have hissy-fits over a few pounds gained, or my ability to be attractive: both in personality and physically. I think, however, 2017 may help me build that confidence more.
Leave behind all the memories you cringe at or the moments you aren’t proud of; forget them and remember that you make mistakes just like everyone else
What I forgot many times this year is that I’m human. I can’t physically be a happy-go-lucky, fixed-smile, laugh-a-lot kind of gal 24/7. I make mistakes, I’m forgetful, I get tired, or grumpy or sensitive if someone insults me. Nobody can be 100% all the time, and it’s not fair to expect that of someone. Be aware of your flaws, but don’t feel guilty for having them.
Leave behind constantly apologising for everything. Be sure of yourself, and don’t feel the need to apologise for being you.
I’ve stopped apologising when someone barges into me on the street. I no longer apologise for speaking my mind or ‘if’ I’m not sure about something, as if I need to apologise for being uncertain. I use the word ‘sorry’ less, so when I do: it means more. I still apologise when I know it’s genuinely needed, but I no longer apologise for being myself.
Leave behind the people who won’t make the effort with you; they are not meant to be in your life for one reason or another. Focus on the ones who do and the ones who care.
Through friendships lost, and friendships gained, focusing on the small group of wonderful people who love me has proved successful. With a rocky few months in my relationship post-long-distance, getting used to the change and learning to adapt, (we’re stronger than ever because of it), relying on my best friends for endless support when times got tough in general proves the ones who care are all you need.
Leave behind the obsession you have with social media, your phone, watching TV: find time to get out in the real world and give your eyes a rest.
Oops. If anything this one got worse – I’ve continued to grow my social networks via Never Settle. I watch ALOT of TV (The Crown, Younger, MIC, TOWIE and my go-to Sex and the City). I’m a sucker for escapism.
Leave behind the expectations you had to do certain things by this point in your life. Take your time and allow things to flow!
I’m chill. I don’t ‘need’ to be anywhere at this point – I’m twenty-two. I’m practically a baby.
Leave behind all the things people told you about yourself, the ones that made you love yourself a little less. Think of how little these people know about you and your story or why you are the way you are. Some people feel the need to belittle others to make themselves feel better.
Bye-bye! Drain the negativity from your life and believe me, you’ll feel free from doing so. You don’t need that kind of person crapping all over your life.
Leave behind the idea that next year will be the same and that nothing will ever change, and start embracing all the wonderful opportunities and possibilities that the new year will inevitably bring
Every new year lays the foundation for a new you. You don’t need to radically alter yourself, just concentrate on making yourself happy. 2017 will no doubt bring great change, but with it, great, exciting, new possibilities and amazing moments to cherish.
So, to a new year, 2017! This year I won’t have a ‘New Years resolution’ as such, but to actually listen to my advice, ditch the above listed and make myself genuinely and truly happy.
Love,
