The year 2020 was a tough pill to swallow, and with recent events clamoring all over the place, it’s hard not to feel that 2021 might be part two. But, to all the naysayers and doomscrollers, we reject the idea that things will get worse because now, more than ever, it is vital to reinvent the way we look at things and start fresh.
Yes, putting the negative side of things into context is both realistic and important to understand, but allowing yourself to dwell only on the negatives is a destructive habit that won’t help you grow! So, if you’re like the vast majority of people who are tired of sulking and all this negativity, take note of the things we’re going to say because you’re going to need them.
#1 Stop Waiting, Start Moving
Yes, we see you, binge-watching shows and lazing around the house, and while we all deserve a good mental health break from all the stressors of life, it’s not an excuse to mask you’re growing laziness. I’m sure we speak for most people when we say that we’ve grown tired of sitting around and not getting anything done. So, stop waiting, start moving, and get your engine running!
- Get To Work: Now, we shouldn’t be the ones to say this, but if you’ve been missing the flavor of motivation in your life, there’s no better chance to get to work and become productive than right now. Let your productivity define your 2021, improve your work ethic, and aim high in your chosen career.
- Make Small Steps: We’ve all had our fair share of failed new year’s resolutions, and with how troublesome 2020 was, it was very tough to keep anything together. However, now’s the perfect opportunity to make small steps and pick up the pieces of where you left off. So, put on that cute workout top and pick up that drawing tablet because we have a good year ahead of us.
- Seek Discomfort: Everyone should experience change, but ever since the pandemic sheltered us inside our homes, we’ve all built an illusionary barrier that prevents us from trying new things. In fact, many people have already forgotten what it’s like to socialize vis-à-vis with all the video conferencing we’ve been doing! So, step out of your comfort zone and seek out the discomfort that will bring (but remember to wear a mask too).
#2 Learn To Love More
One of the worst effects of cabin fever and being stuck with only ourselves to converse with is self-doubt and the fading of gratitude. And, because we only have our phones to stay updated and social media to depend on for news, we’re also exposed to seeing the highlights of other people’s lives. Subconsciously, we’ve all been comparing ourselves to others, but now’s the time to drop these unproductive mindsets and embrace self-love.
- Get in Touch With Friends: Your friends are probably dying to hear from you and actually see you in person, so get in touch with them and maybe even schedule a get-together at your place. Remember, we’re all getting through this new normal together, and having someone to talk to is therapeutic for you and your friend too.
- Adopt a Pet: If you’ve been all alone this whole time and have been looking for companionship, a great way to learn to love more is by adopting a pet! Nothing beats the happiness experienced from watching them grow and having a best friend right at home. Plus, training your dog or teaching your cat to use the litter is an enriching experience.
#3 Begin The Decade’s Journal
Sure, writing may not be everyone’s forte, but please give it a chance because beginning the decade’s journal and having tangible evidence of all the memories and experiences you’ve made is one of the best tools to inspire self-growth. Fast-forward five years from today, all you need to do is flip through a couple of pages, and you’ll see how much you’ve grown all this time.
- Handwritten Memories: Apart from being a time capsule, handwritten memories train so many skills like your innate creativity, your writing skill, and all these incorporate even in spoken word. You’re also free to openly express whatever you want, which is a subtle way of screaming and internalizing all of your thoughts.
- Self-examination: As Socrates said that the unexamined life is not worth living, spend some time in reflection and self-reflection. All of us get too caught up with the fast-paced nature of life that we forget to slow down sometimes, prepare ourselves a nice healthy meal, and look inward.
Don’t Let Time Get Ahead of You
Nobody wants a repeat of what happened last year, but if we stand idle and not do anything about it, we won’t be able to change anything. So, don’t let time get ahead of you, and start at least one of the methods above to get the ball rolling. You’ll be surprised at how much progress you’ll make, and you’ll be glad to have started! ;
