2023 Lessons

2023 was a really great, and really hard year, all rolled into one. Here are some lessons I’ve learned (or were reinforced):

• Do the hard thing first. Whenever I'm planning out my day, looking at my "to do" list, I want to try and do the thing I have the most resistance towards, first. Procrastinating doesn't make it better and I continue to be filled with dread towards that task - vs doing it first, getting it over with, potentially rewarding myself in some fun way, and then being relieved that I'm done with it.

• Silent haters are real. If someone (friends, family members, coworkers) is consistently watching everything you do, but never celebrates you, they may be a silent hater. Pay attention to how folks react when you “win” and on your birthday. Someone I thought was a friend (and had been in my life for years) never wished me a happy birthday (but saw my story reposts from others on Instagram, so she knew) and then I found out she didn't like me for at least a year. But she would ask me questions about my Instagram, if I was making money (yes? no one else is paying my bills unfortunately lol), how dating was going, etc. I think she may have wanted the information, but didn't genuinely care about me. We had a friendship breakup when there was behavior (high level: being unkind) that I could no longer look past, which is always sad.

• What you focus on, grows. Don’t water the weeds. This is something I really want to focus on in 2024. Sometimes my mind can get fixated on dumb things that aren’t worth my time or energy.

• Taking your own life is never, ever the answer. Please reach out to a loved one (call or text 988) if this is something you struggle with. I had an ex who made that decision in 2023. We hadn't talked, in about a year, but it's been a very weird/hard/unexpected thing to navigate. It makes me really sad for his family and friends especially. Grief is a rollercoaster and sometimes it will pop up, out of nowhere, and hit me.

• Hyper independence is a trauma response. I’m so guilty of this - it’s easier for me to do things solo, because I know, like, and trust myself. It’s been a tough in the friendship department, after moving to a new state, and then the pandemic happened. I’ve had multiple friends ghost me, and had friendship breakups. I have some great friends, but some live in other states, across Colorado, or are married/have kids, so I don't see them that often. My goal for 2024 is to make some more quality friends, so I’ve been using Bumble BFF, and am forcing myself to get out there.

• Consistency is key. I'm getting back on track with my good habits (sleep, exercise, daily walks, etc) and am super excited to level up in 2024.

• Do things that future you will thank yourself for. Ex: cleaning my condo before I leave for a trip Ex: putting my clean laundry away at night, so I don’t wake up in the morning to a pile on my dresser, and one more thing to do. You may have figured out by now that I'm a bit of a neat freak.

• Take time to slow down and rest. Our body, mind, and soul needs it. Go to bed earlier. Start your day earlier. I’m working to get back to a 9pm bedtime after December was chaos (traveling, being sick for 1.5 weeks, having a friend in town, and the holidays).

• Don't be scared to try new things. It's good for you and your brain. It also literally boosts your confidence, even if you're not "good" at it.

• I can treat my business even more like a business in 2024. I will be tracking weekly KPI's to keep myself accountable.

• You don't have to agree with everyone, about everything. That doesn't mean you can't still love them and be kind.

Cheers to 2024 y’all! Any lessons you want to share? Drop them below!