It’s that time of the year again, when Facebook invites you to review your year. Even if, overall, you’ve had a good year, you are still anxious that Facebook will remind you of that one memory that you want to forget.
But remember that all the things you’ve been through shaped the person you are today. Be kind to yourself and forgive yourself for all the mistakes you made. Let those mistakes give meaning to your life and make sure that they won’t happen again in the coming year.
Admit the fact that at times you were selfish, stubborn, lazy and a little bit of a coward. Look back at those times, grow from them and promise yourself that you will be a better and more empathetic person because of them.
Stand at the doorstep of 2016 with an open heart. Look out for ways you can make someone else’s life brighter. Be the friend that jumps in to help and do not forget that even a small act of kindness can mean much more to someone than you can ever realise.
Be proud of your hard work and dedication that led to your accomplishments but be aware of all the help you got along the way and make sure that in 2016 you find a way to start giving that help and support those people back.
Think of all the times you didn’t listen to your instinct. Like when you knew that you should have accepted that job offer but you were too afraid of all the changes, or like when you screwed up and you knew you should have apologized to your best friend, or when you knew you should have studied harder to get a better grade, or when you knew you shouldn’t have drove back home drunk but you were too cool to admit that you’re drunk. Acknowledge the fact that your instinct is usually always right.
Remember all the things that you thought are going to make you happy, but they just didn’t. Remember how obsessed you were with your new smartphone or your new salary and how quickly you got over them. You just moved from one thing to the next but none of them really brought happiness to your life. In 2016, make sure you realise that the defintion of happiness doesn’t lie in what money can buy.
As you stand there waiting for Facebook to review your year, just let go of 2015 and welcome 2016 with hope, excitement and wonder. Just remember that this year only made you stronger and it’s ok to feel afraid and uncertain of what lies ahead of you, but it’s time to say hello to all the new opportunities, dreams and achievements that are waiting to manifest themselves to you.
