The Most Important Lesson I Learned in 2017 (And How I Plan to Excel In 2018)

Happy Tuesday! How was your Thanksgiving? I’m hoping it was cheerful and filled with all the laughter and love you need to really set this last month of 2017 ablaze. I’ll be the first to say that this year tested me in ways I never thought possible. And because the days seemed to go by in such a flash, I barely had time to process all the thoughts and emotions I was experiencing. But now that 2018 is on the horizon, I’ve made it a point to reflect and take an inward look at my personal life, my professional goals and the type of woman I want to be in the New Year. I have already made a promise to myself that 2018 is the year I’ll be more focused on me than ever. Oh yes, I’m doing me! *in my Fantasia voice* 

With that said, I wouldn’t have made it to this point without learning one lesson that has impacted how I move and the way I think: Life is happening for us not to us. 

Life throws us curve balls. A lot of them. Most of the time, without warning. And the only thing we can do is pad ourselves so the blow doesn’t hurt as badly. From burying my mom and my brother within months of each other to taking a step back from the four-year career I thought I wanted, 2017 was characterized by more downs than ups. But in the lowest of lows, I learned that reframing my thinking transformed how I handled each tough situation. Instead of asking why is this happening to me, I started asking what am I supposed to learn from this and how will this situation help position me where I ultimately want to be. 

As dreamers, we get so caught up on perfection, the details of it all. So when life does what life will do, it’s easy to get bogged down and say nothing feels right. You become mentally paralyzed. Stop! Knit picking the details of your life is a sure way to keep you grounded, when you were made for greater heights. Instead, keep your focus on the bigger picture. It never fails, whenever I stop knit picking and stressing about what life is doing, the bigger picture remains in view and things work out exactly as they’re suppose to.  Setbacks hurt. They’ll continue to hurt. But you will undoubtedly learn how to perfect your plan and make things better along the way.

Because let me tell you, the dream you have inside your head of what you will look like, or what you’ll be doing in the future? You won’t become that person without some hurdles. But when we remember that we have true strength within us, we can weather any storm, no matter how ferocious. 

That’s why I personally cannot wait for 2018. Granted we’re a few weeks away from the New Year but I’m already getting that itch to say out with the old and in with the new.  I’m sure we all have more than a few goals, dreams and resolutions we want to accomplish. It doesn’t really matter what you’re looking to accomplish, this year or any year for that matter. Stop setting yourself up for failure. Life will happen and you’ll bounce back better than ever. Trust me, I’ve done the legwork. 

Was this year good to you? What did you learn? What are you hoping to do in 2018 that you didn’t this year? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Living My Best Life,

Briea