Blessings in Disguise & 2021 New Year Reminders
Updated: Feb 14, 2021
While this year has definitely been a long one with challenges that we’ve never faced before, we take this hell of a year as an opportunity to learn from our ups and downs. Let’s not forget what lessons we have learned from 2020 and we move boldly forward into 2021.
Goodbye 2020
Usually, at the end of the year, people tend to look back at what they have achieved, whether it’s how many books you’ve read or how many personal or workplace milestones you’ve accomplished. While this exercise is helpful in keeping yourself accountable with any goals you have set out at the beginning of the year, it is also easy to fall into the trap of critically comparing yourself with you, with others, or with society’s unhealthy standards of what a “successful” year should look like. It’s going to be especially hard this year, one that was filled with uncertainty and challenges, which may have hindered your progress or blocked some of the milestones you were hoping to achieve 365 days ago. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Remember how far you have come given the circumstances of this year.
We hope that instead of focusing on what should have happened or what should have been achieved, we challenge you to redirect your energy into what you have learned and what has been a blessing in disguise. We want to remind you that you are enough for being who you are. Your progress, your timing, your achievements, are all unique to you and only you.
We encourage you all to find a quiet place with some paper to jot down your recap of 2020. Here are some self-reflection questions to get you in the right headspace:
What is the best thing that happened this year?
How kind were you to yourself?
What are you grateful for? List the big and the small~
What challenges did you overcome?
What did you let go of?
What have you learned about yourself and your strength?
How have I grown in the past year?
What am I leaving behind in 2020?
Hello 2021
As the calendars turn to Jan 1st, new year’s resolutions become one of the most common (but empty) promises people make to themselves in the year. This is not to say you shouldn’t set resolutions, but we encourage you to think of appropriate positive expectations that you hope to achieve in the future that will be good for you. You can transform your hope into reality when you follow through by setting smaller incremental tasks that lead to your larger goal. Strive for your intentions to be “S.M.A.R.T,” or specific, measurable, attainable, relative, and time-sensitive. It’s the process and your progress that is beautiful. Don’t forget that your steps and growth towards your goals is an achievement in itself. And if there’s anything 2020 taught us, is to be flexible and adaptable with what is to come. So, give your goals flexibility as well; we should not be constrained and hold ourselves down when circumstances change.
New Year’s Reminders
As we enter the new year, we also wanted to remind you that others may be setting their goals and resolutions for a change for them, but that does not mean that you have to radically change yourself too.
A new year doesn’t have to mean that you are a “new you”.
Don’t pressure yourself into making these resolutions in 2021 when you believe you have enough on your plate or if it doesn’t feel right for you. One of your goals may be continuing to accomplish the ones that you’ve set out last year or even the year before! It’s a beautiful goal. Be patient with yourself and it’s not too late to continue growing. This year is for you.
We hope that one of your goals for 2021 is to put your mental wellbeing and overall wellness as your first priority. Stop chasing perfection, for your own timing and pace is perfect for you. Love yourself more, for you can only spread your love and kindness to others when your glass is full. Prioritize you, for caring too much about what others think of you does nothing to help you live a more fulfilling life. Value your worth for who you are, for your achievements or your productivity doesn’t last forever. You are worthy, and as importantly, you are enough.
Here are 3 questions we have for you to reflect on as we enter the new year:
1. What do you challenge yourself to do and be better in 2021?
2. What are your intentions?
3. Who do you want to become next year?
Your answer and intentions can be fluid as you continue to grow every day. You’re welcome to revisit these questions again for a self-care check-in and repeat this reflective exercise in the new year. We can’t wait to see what your next chapter looks like.
Talklet wishes you all happiness in each day of the new year! You deserve happiness and your wellbeing always matters. Cheers to a happy and healthy 2021!