12 things that 2016 taught me
2016, where did you go? Seems like New Year 2016 was just a few days ago. No matter how quickly 2016 went by, I do have a lot of memories of the year; both good and bad. And each memory had lessons to teach me.
1. It is better to let go of the things that hurt you than waiting with hope for things to change
From the time I started working, there were things about my college life that weren’t sorted out. No, not in terms of academics or career but in terms of friendships. I tried as much as I could to get things back to the way they were. But things like friendships don’t work single handedly. You can try but you can’t guarantee the outcome. And when you know that things won’t be the same again it is better to accept the fact and let go.
2. You may have made mistakes but it is never too late to correct them
Yes, we all make mistakes. We take spur of the moment decisions which may work in our favour but a lot of them as we know will not work in our favour. It is okay to make mistakes. It is okay to cry over them. But what is not okay is letting those wrong decisions be as they are and do nothing to change them. Make mistakes, learn your lesson and then correct or at least attempt to correct what is wrong.
3. If you make up your mind to do something, you can do it no matter what.
Nothing is impossible and most importantly nothing is easy. I always have a lot of things that I want to do but I know I can’t do all of those things. But what I know if I can pick out one thing or a few things that I really want to do, I will do it no matter what. Writing posts when I was sick, publishing my ebook, reading books till late in the night even when I had to wake up early next day for work, playing for me Company in the inter corporate sports. I never thought that I would be able to do all of these things. But once I made up my mind things happened!
4. Not everything goes according to a plan and that is okay
Like I told before I may have a million things on my list. I may plan to do all of them or even if I plan to do some of them there will be setbacks. And it is okay if a few things don’t go according to the plan.
5. If it is meant to be it will be
Some things are meant to be and some things will just not happen. Accept that. Not everything needs to be planned. Some thing happens or magic happens and things fall in place, perfectly! You never expected some like that would happen but it did. Accept the present.
6. You have to learn to take care yourself- mind, body and soul
You are responsible for yourself. It is you who has to eat healthy, drink lots of water, sleep well and not let stress have it’s effects on you. And it is not enough to physically healthy, it is important to be mentally and emotionally strong. I wasn’t in the pink of health this year. I fell sick often, hence lost so many days when I could have done something better. I know illness is body’s way of telling me take it slowly but it shouldn’t happen often!
7. It is little things that bring us most joy
If I look back on the year gone by, it wasn’t such a good one. I did have difficult times. But when I look back at the things that made me happy, it is the little things. Mom’s care when I was sick, going on a random walk, a walk in the rain, little surprises in the form of calls or messages. It is better not to have expectations about great things that you think will bring you happiness. Instead, enjoy the little surprises that come your way.
8. Family is important
Yes! One of the most important lessons that staying away from home has taught me is the importance of family. I miss Mom a lot now that I stay in a different city. I miss all the more when I am sick. It is important to spend time to talk to your loved ones, to let them know that you are okay and find out if they are okay too.
9. Learn something new everyday
There are so many things to learn. If I look around me there are so many things new, that I have no knowledge about. It is always good to learn something new each day.
10. It is good to be honest rather than beat the bush
I have always believed that honesty is the best policy. And a lot of things that happened during this year reiterated this fact. It is better to be honest upfront rather than speak about it later.
11. Make time for yourself no matter how busy you are
This is something that I have learned the hard way. But I can’t stress enough on the importance of making time for yourself. After a long day at work it is essential to spend some time doing what you want to do and what you like to do. It really helps.
12. Set goals. Aim higher. Do things you never thought you would do.
Don’t ever stop dreaming. Keep aiming higher and work towards it. Someday your efforts will bear fruit. Do things you never thought you would do. Surprise yourself!
These are some of the lessons that 2016 taught through the highs and lows, the good things and the bad things. What did you learn from 2016?
I think, you have covered most of the lessons, one should learn before they turn 25. (Y) Nice 🙂
Thank you Nandish 🙂
So true about friendships. Some friendships are just a part of the journey and its best to accept it that way. Family is and always will be our strong pillar. Learning is a continuous process and it adds joy to our life. May 2017 bless you with all wonderful moments to cherish forever. Take care
Gayu
Thank you 🙂
I don’t know which one I like the most. Because they are all important life lessons 🙂
Yes they are! This one year has taught me a lot!
So many lessons of life weaved beautifully that I want to keep coming back to read it.
Thank you 🙂
Truly agree with the seventh point, Reema. In blogging, the little things like remembering some fact about the blogger, something about the blog post they had written earlier, is so touching. Because that means that people actually read the posts with 100% concentration, and value your words enough to remember them 🙂
Wishing you an awesome 2017, with a lot of happiness, cheer and success ❤
Thank you Mithila! Wishing you a very happy and prosperous New year 🙂
2016 definitely has been kind to you to have taught you so many important life lessons that will stay with you for long. I think 2016 has just completely transformed me as a person. I went through a patch when I put myself last .. this year I turned the spotlight on myself and I am in a much happier space.
I think one lesson 2016 has taught me is to believe in people. Some may let you down but there are many more who are incredibly kind and inspiring and we should focus and value them always..
Yes I agree with you Chandni. The people who really care stay with us no matter what. Wishing you a happy 2017.
Reema, these were such honest takeaways, I am sure a very enlightening year! I do hope 2017 will be better for you health-wise and I do know that it will be even more remarkable blogging-wise. Cheers 🙂
Thank you Kala! But I’m already down with cold 🙁
Everyday teaches us..one more year of learning and look forward to a new one
That is true! Each day teaches us something.
🙂
Love your positive outlook towards life. Health is wealth. When things happen, it will! Don’t drive yourself to the wall. I learned that patience is a virtue and go with the flow.
Have a blissful 2017.
These are great lessons and important for all of us. I loved this post of yours. Beautiful.
These are some great life lessons, Reema! You have covered almost all the aspects of one’s life thru this post. Friendship always suffers when things don’t work up as expected and letting go is the best thing we can always rely on. Ahh..and I miss my home too.. living in a different city for work is painful at times.
Loved the post! Wishing u a very happy new year! 🙂
I can so identify with each point that I really can’t tell which one I liked the most…so well put across!
One open-secret mantra I learnt in 2016 is ‘Everything will fall into place,as and when required’..
More power to you and have a wonderful year ahead 🙂
Agree with all the points Reema..specially family is important and nothing goes according to plan. Hope you had good 2016 and wishing you a great next year too. Keep going 🙂
I think whatever you have written is valuable for each one of us. The lesson which I learnt in 2016 is “When one door closes, another door opens”. I have written my experiences here: http://www.digimother.com/happy-new-year-2017/
Beautiful 🙂
staying focused on myself and my dreams has been my biggest lesson of 2016 – no matter what!!
And yes dont beat yourself if things do nt work out is a very big part of never stop dreaming; never stop believing!
Love your list of lessoms Reems – its really quite impressive
There is the type of eucation we get in school and there are life lessons we learn along the way. Both are important. The only problem is that life moves us far along before we figure out what’s going on and the wisdom we hope to have gained is sometimes late in coming. Life is short, so learn to give and receive love. Love and be loved.Be the best spouse, parent, friend, boss or worker that you can be so that you can leave the world a better place than you found it.
Unbelievable, have you really written it yourself. Such excellent wisdom at a young age. Veteran over young shoulders indeed. Hats off for wonderful piece of wisdom. Thank you. #Writeon #Writeonreads #authorrakesh
What a lovely post Reema….and these are facts which at times people ignore and feel the pain. Beautifully penned down!! 🙂
Loved all the points.Gems of wisdom! And yes,friends..I have felt it too.Some people just cannot be friendly,try how muchever you want.You cannot change their behaviour.We have to accept the fact and move ahead,even if it hurts us.
Yes that is true!
Some friendships fade with time and no matter how hard we try, it can never be like before. Though we blame them initially, we later on accept that their part in our lives ended there. And so true, the little things bring so much joy 🙂 All your points are spot on. These two struck me real hard 🙂