Happy New Year!

_{Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect – Alan Cohen.}

Ever since I can remember, I would always write down what I would want to do in the new year; a new weight goal, better-eating habits, or even to smile more.

But as the years passed, I found myself not following through with the resolutions. I would do good for the first month and then fall off the wagon.

So, instead of making a New Years Resolution list, think about what you can take away from 2021. And apply that to 2022.

Over the year, I learned to balance. I graduated with my Master’s degree during a pandemic and found a job in my field. Those are two accomplishments that I am so proud of doing. But in that, I lost how to manage my work life, love life, and personal life.

I learned that not everything has to deal with my career at 24-years-old. Yes, having a job, a career is great. But how wonderful is it when you do not have time for the small enjoyments in life?

Do not lose sight of the hobbies you have outside of work. Sometimes it’s not the job that makes you happy, but the hobbies and activities you do that make life worth it. So why not turn your hobbies into your career? Just some food for thought.

What lessons did you learn from 2021? Here are a few that I hope you can take away.

I learned that no matter what, family will be in your corner. And the family supporting you might not be your given family. It may be friends and colleagues that you have gained a close connection to over the years.

Another lesson learned was knowing who your friends are. People come and go in your lives, teaching you life lessons. They might be there for years or for a short amount of time.

Some friendships and relationships are not meant to last forever. It is okay. We need to stop dwelling on the why and why not or what could have gone better. Because if we did, we would never truly move on.

Friends come and go. Boyfriends and girlfriends, they come and go. Learn from the relationships you had with them to grow. Find something positive you learned about yourself and apply that to the new year.

Do not bring any negative energy into the new year. Leave all that in 2021. Any unfinished business, do it soon. New year, better energy for yourself and those around you.

I told myself that I’m not going to bring any negativity into the new year. I had to make choices recently, and though they were tough decisions, I don’t regret them.

Figure out what you want 2022 to be for you. If your goal changes throughout the year, don’t feel bad about it. It just means that you’re changing as a person, and your values are changing. What you thought was important, might not be as important anymore.

And please. Stop stalling and do what you want to do. If you want something, do it! What is the point in waiting when you can do it right now?

Make 2022 your year. If you keep on holding yourself back, nothing is ever going to happen. Go on a trip, get that confidence to ask someone out on a date, or just simply let yourself be happy for a moment.

Whatever you decide to do, remember this. Only you can make the best of 2022. Make it your year.

-Nadine Bourne