At the beginning of the year I set several goals for myself and some things I wanted to accomplish educationally, professionally, and spiritually. Looking back at what I wrote in January, I accomplished what I wanted to and so much more. I’m honestly really proud of the progress I’ve made and am excited to grow even more. Here are 18 things 2018 taught me.
18. How to do hair
I did my own braids for the first time in December of 2017 and throughout the year I continued to do them on myself. I also learned how to do faux locs. I even started braiding people’s hair at school. Practice makes perfect.
17. To embrace my no makeup self
I’m a makeup wearer. Everyday, no matter the occasion, my brows are on fleek and my highlight is popping. This year I definitely didn’t have a choice but to embrace my fresh face. This really led me to love my skin and start taking even more care of it. I know it may not sound like a lot to some but I’ve been taking selfies without makeup and going everywhere without it. Whereas before, when I didn’t wear makeup I always thought about it and when people looked at me I would try to cover my face. But now, I don’t even think when I’m not wearing makeup. We love growth!
16. How to be a pescatarian
In January I decided I wanted to stick to a pescatarian diet. It has been a lot of fun trying different meatless meals and of course indulging in seafood!
15. How to let go
Letting things and people go was a big lesson of 2018. I kept the fact that what’s for me won’t pass me at the forefront of my mind and continued to preserver. Also knowing that people are in your life for a reason and a season. Sometimes that reason is to simply teach you a life lesson and that’s it.
14. How to say no
One of my main goals for the year was to say no more! At first I did not know how to say no to people and always wanted to be a people pleaser. However, with always pleasing people, I wasn’t pleasing myself and it was draining. So this year I learned to say no to people and even opportunities. I don’t want to continue stretching myself thin, adding more to my plate and not completing tasks to the extent I know I can.
13. To stop giving more than I receive
This goes along with number 13. I realized I’m a very giving person but to the point where in relationships I was giving more than I was receiving. It wasn’t until I made relationships with people that checked me and actually reciprocated the same love and energy that I noticed.
12. To accept love
I’ve always accepted love but like I mentioned in number 14, it wasn’t until I made relationships with people that noticed my love and character and gave me the love I needed and loved me based on my love language. Accepting that people are actually here for me and genuinely care wasn’t a hard concept to grasp but it took me a minute to stop giving and solely accept their love.
Growth is always uncomfortable. Physically, you have growing pains. Mentally and spiritually you definitely go through stages while growing. This year I was in quite a few difficult and uncomfortable situations and looking back it caused so much growth.
10. The importance of genuine friendships
Having genuine relationships with people is SO important. The friendships and relationships I have built with the important people in my life have definitely impacted me for forever and I know I have them for life.
9. To stop letting people use me
Having one sided relationships are not it!! No matter if the person is your mom, dad, best friend, or partner in class. Don’t let people feel like you’re giving more than them.
8. Finding small things that make me happy and putting them in my everyday routine
So my top love language is words of affirmation. One of my pledge brothers showed me the best app called “Eternal Sunshine” and throughout the day it sends affirmations and just positive quotes. I also love talking to my mom and because I knew I wasn’t going to see her until December, I made an effort to call her everyday during the semester.
7. I can accomplish anything I put my mind to
This year was LITERALLY the definition of, “if I put my mind to it, I can do it”. From finishing my freshman year strong, saving the money I wanted to this summer, taking 8 classes while joining Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Psi Tau Chapter, being a part of other organizations on campus and securing an internship! I accomplished so many goals and now know I can do anything I want, as long as I stay the course and put my mind to it!
6. I am strong
With learning all of this during the year and going through a lot, I realized how strong I am mentally, physically and spiritually.
5. Worthy of love
This year was really a time of finding my worth. With learning how to say no, how to accept love, and just realizing that it has ALWAYS been me, made me realize that I am worthy of so much love.
4. Stop stressing over things that have already been written. Just walk in it.
I think this speaks for itself.
3. Reducing my idle time
One of my goals for the year was to reduce my idle time and make sure I was using my time wisely. I made sure I rested, but I also made sure I wasn’t wasting my time away.
2. Be intentional
Along with number 3, my word for the year was “intentional”. This year I worked on being more intentional with my time, work, relationships, literally everything.
1. To just live my life
Obstacles are going to come so instead of focusing on them, I worked through them and lived my life.
