My Advice For The New Year!
It’s that time of the year again where we all look back at the year we have had and think about everything that has happened. For some of us, we reflect on all the things we could have done differently to get a better year-end result. For others, it’s a time of celebration as they recall the fond memories of the year and all their achievements.
For me, although it has mentally been a very draining year with lots of regrets I also have my fair share of things I’m incredibly grateful for. And the most important thing I am grateful for is you! Yes, you!! The person reading this letter right now because I would not be here without you and all the support you have shown me throughout 2020.
As you probably know, in mid-2018 I took a leap of faith to start this journey of becoming a writer and trying to make a difference in the gaming community in some way. As I kept writing and getting involved with the community I also started becoming interested in streaming. So in 2020, I took on the role of streaming and then quickly decided to become a new South African Vtuber! It’s no understatement to say that I have had a lot of exciting new challenges which have pushed me to where I am now.
As we get closer to the end of the year we all get a little “New Year” fever where we start planning out what we will be doing next and how we will be better for the following year to come. However, before you start planning out your “This year I’ll do this-list” I want to remind you that you did a wonderful job this past year and that even if things did not go you planned it, it does not mean you failed. 2020 has been hard on us all and just making it to the end of the year is something to celebrate.
I’m hearing a lot of my friends say “if only I did this, I would have done better” or something along those lines. So if you haven’t already, I still want to remind you to celebrate the small victories. No matter how small, they still matter! Comparing them to others’ success is only going to leave you stressed and depressed for 2021.
So with all that being said, I want you to remember the following for the end of this year as you look towards the future and everything it holds.
1. Celebrate The Small Victories
Everyone sets goals for themselves, and sometimes when we fail at the task we set ourselves we forget about the smaller things we have accomplished. Things like helping a friend complete a goal or making someone’s day by making them smile. These are the victories that we need to start celebrating more often.
This year I have learned that there are incredibly kind people in the world and it is these people who I want to learn from so that I too can someday help others accomplish a small victory in the way that they have helped me.
2. Plan Ahead For The New Year
But remember to not focus on someone else’s success because then you will never be happy. Looking at someone else’s success is natural, we all do it, but sometimes we look and compare ourselves to people who have been doing whatever we are doing for years longer than us. Their success can feel so far out of reach that it feels unattainable for us, and that’s when it’s unhealthy.
I won’t lie, it’s something I’ve been doing a lot this year when I feel like I’ve worked hard but I’m not getting where I want to be. It’s physically and mentally draining on us and we need to stop focusing on others’ accomplishments unless we are celebrating alongside them or cheering them on.
3. Never Forget Your Support Group
The people that have been with you and supported you throughout the year are what makes every accomplishment worth all the struggles you go through. Without your friends and family, you would probably not be where you are now and you should be thankful for every person that’s there for you. Don’t take someone’s support for granted as it’s often the people who believe in us when we doubt ourselves that can help us turn a bad situation around. Be present for their struggles and celebrate their wins in the same way that they are there for you!
4. Do Something For Yourself
With how 2020 turned out you probably still have a bunch of things left on your to-do list for 2020 so now is the time to add it onto your list for 2021 instead. Maybe it’s calling your friends and family more often, going for more walks, or even a self-care thing you had listed. Whatever it is, you should make a point of looking after your physical and mental health as it is super important! Besides, you will not be able to do your best work if you do not look after yourself.
5. Stop Worrying About The New Year And Remember To Have Fun
It’s good to plan ahead and have all these little lists, but after looking at mine from the beginning of the year I kinda wonder if I should even make one for 2021. As it turns out ‘life’ happened and I did not follow the list at all. I never looked at it again until now and as the year went on I never took the opportunity to look at the list and follow it.
Sometimes the best thing we can do is to stop setting goals for ourselves and following a guideline. This year I’ve been reminded by so many family and friends that as individuals we set our own goals and it can be these very things that make us sit here and worry about all the things we didn’t do… So my advice, whether you take it or not (because I don’t follow my own advice very often, and I’ll have a friend or two laughing at me right about now), is to go out and just do it!!
Hey, I think that’s actually going to be my New Year’s resolution… Go out and do it!!
So with all that being said, I think it’s best to take a second to look after yourself for 2021. And by looking after yourself you will be able to look after your community as well as help others along the way.
This year has taught me just how important the people around me are and I look forward to next year, spending time with everyone and growing together because all of this would be impossible without all of you!
Lots of Love
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Love you posts absolutely awesome reading stuff. Keep it up all the best for 2021.