-Aisha S. Michika
As you all know, the year is coming to an end. So, have you taken a little time to ask yourself certain questions reflecting on what you did throughout the year and weigh the positive and negative results?
I know that these last few days of the year, you usually focus on what is to come for you; like all the new habits you are going to create, and the goals you are going to achieve, and the workouts you are going to do in the new year. But in reality, more often than not, you don’t really reflect on the past to know how to prepare yourself for the new year in order to get off to a better start.
Although it is actually human nature to always have your sights set on what is next for you, once you don’t appreciate what you’ve done and consider things that took place by thinking through each month, you will never appreciate yourself. Unfortunately, doing that will not help you move forward and focus on your goals all the time.
So, my dear sister, why not go through your social media accounts to check what you posted on your timeline, probably pictures or videos, and review all your past activities? And if you are not the social media type, you can as well go through your phone, maybe you did snap one or two pictures or recorded videos; or rather check your planner, then sit back and reflect on all the things you did, good or bad, for the whole year and ask yourself certain questions, even as you go through and see for yourself what actually happened within the year.
I know it sounds funny or maybe weird, but believe me, the outcome of it will shock you, which I’m sure is going to put a smile on your face or send tears down your cheeks, as you reflect back. But the good thing about it is that it will be a great way to realise the biggest lessons you have learnt from it and the ones you want to take with you into the new year.
I know it’s tempting sometimes to hold on to things we feel we can’t let go of, but if we look at how it affected our past, staying in the same spot all through, then I think it’s high time you took another turn in your life and left that spot since it may not take you anywhere. But if you find yourself out of the box in another phase of your life, then, my dear, you need to give yourself a standing ovation and cheers to the efforts made.
It is every woman’s dream to have a new beginning after going through certain things in life. Therefore, the past should become history to allow you focus on the goals you’ve been longing to achieve by figuring it out when you can do them and to plan towards them.
Ensure there are no hanging or outstanding goals. I know how we women struggle with lots of things, most especially dealing with home issues; taking care of children, when we get so occupied that we don’t even have time for ourselves. Well, I think you should make the difference this new year; you might think there will never be a ‘good time’ to go, you just have to push yourself to get to that stage for a change. Positive change!
You can set a day aside to declutter your wardrobe; and anything that you know will be an obstacle on your way to setting and reaching all your goals, push it aside and never turn back for any reason. Just identify the pieces you want to replace and replace them with lots of determination so that you will be able to find your new self with a different style of approach for success. This is because going back to your old self will simply be like staying on the same spot with lots of motion but without movement.
Therefore, finally, I suggest that you remain very practical, and if you are there, put more energy to it. I know that being a mother, working round the clock, sometimes can be difficult to cope with other important tasks but, hey, this shouldn’t be an excuse to let things elude you just like that. Take a look at things yourself and see if your efforts towards achieving your set goals are not worth it.
Don’t you think it’s high time you stood on your feet and made this coming New Year a memorable one with lots of difference?