3 Biggest Lessons of 2018

As 2018 comes to a close, I can’t help but be reflective on the year that I’ve had; and I’m sure that is the case for most of you as well. For me, 2017 was the year of self-realization, while 2018 was the year of transformation and growth. If you have me on any social media, you’ve seen me raving over how much I’ve grown this year and let me tell you, it is not an exaggeration in the slightest. From my overall outlook on life, to old toxic mindsets that have now been buried in the dust, it is truly such a liberating and fulfilling feeling. With that being said, I wanted to share with you all three of my biggest takeaways throughout this oh-so gratifying growth process:

1. Be the light that you want to see in the world.

This has been something that I tell myself almost every minute of the day. It especially rings off in my head when I’m not in the best of moods, or I might not have gotten enough sleep the night before, or when someone brushes past me without saying “excuse me”. Yes, it is absolutely easier said than done, but can you imagine what the world would look like if everyone actually followed the golden rule? You know, “Treat others the way that you want to be treated.” It would literally be a Utopia. We may be light years away from that ideal vision of the world, but we can also make a conscious effort daily to uphold this affirmation.

The way people treat you has nothing do with you, but the way you treat other people does. If the way you treat people is based off the way that they treat you, then they have all the control over the way you live your life. You can choose to hold people in the space of love and light, even when they don’t choose to do the same with you... because what do you really have to lose? We’re all human, we’ve all been through things or experienced trauma, and we all can use a little bit of love.

2. Be specific and intentional about

the goals that you want to achieve.

For months, I wrote down goals on little post-its, and put them on my walls. I'd write "new job by the end of the month" or "start saving again", but a new job where? Doing what? Making how much? Or saving how much? By when? And for what? I was questioning why certain goals that I had for myself were not coming into fruition, and I realized it was because I was being extremely vague in trying to manifest them and didn't even know what it was that I truly wanted. How am I going to manifest something that I'm not 100% sure is for me? God (or the universe) can't reward you if you aren't highly detailed about the things that you want for yourself.

Once you know what it is that you want to achieve, you have to be intentional in doing so. If you want to save money, why are you still eating out 4 times a week? If you're looking for a new job in your desired industry, then tailor your resume for that exact position. You want to be in a new relationship, but have you started working through the things that contributed to the demise of your last one?

These desires of your heart and goals were instilled in you for a reason.. they are yours to be attained. Align your intentions with your detailed goals, and you'll attract everything that you want out of life.

3. Give yourself some grace.

My mom would always tell me "We are our own worst critics", and it is the truth! We beat ourselves up entirely too much and for what? The world is hard enough as it is, the absolute least we can do is give ourselves some love, forgiveness, and grace. We are all too busy striving for perfection, or ripping ourselves a part for every little mistake made, that we don't even realize this is damaging our self-worth, and hindering us from being the best versions of ourselves. Going down a wormhole of negativity when we fall short on something doesn't do anyone any good. View mistakes as lessons learned, instead of ammunition to fuel an obvious lie of "not being good enough" or "not being capable". And, it's okay to feel bad for a little bit, but don't wallow in it. Understand that literally no one is perfect (regardless of what social media tells you lol) and mistakes are all apart of our growth process. It's okay to f*ck up! Forgive yourself. Let yourself fall down. Just make sure you get right back up, and give yourself some grace.

I hope you guys work some of these lessons into your daily affirmations for 2019 and beyond, because I know I sure will be! At the beginning of this year, I wrote a blog post about 2018 being the year of renewal and that's exactly what it was for me; And I am forever grateful. Next year has a lot in store, and I can't wait to take you guys on this journey with the new and improved 'The Trinity'! ;)

I closed out 2018 in a pair of my favorite trousers from Uniqlo in dark green, a top from everyone's favorite retailer (lol) Zara (Similar), shoes from Asos, my handy dandy LV Speedy, and my classic Ray Bans.