Akwafina. A breath of fresh air and a delightful discovery of 2018. She, like many other things I learnt and witnessed this year made an impossible year exciting and fun. When I flip back into the memory banks of this year, it was both long and short. The year that brought a number of lessons; some good, others unavoidable. I think about my world and my year and how without meaning to, most times I allowed myself to move like I was magic. Floating about a world that would have me stay rigid with intense emotions, brutal honesty, some sadness and unapologetic passion.
Like fireworks, I think of these things that sparked anew or reignited an existing flame. I am magic, I am whimsy, I am passion. These 18 things I know to be true of 2018:
Listen to your body — this really needs to be a lesson learnt over and over again. Your body really does know best. If you feel rundown, you probably are and should take a break, the human body is not a machine that can go on forever, it needs breaks and recharging. Listen to your body, it is often right.
It’s not personal but it is also is — emotions are a dangerous thing. We tell ourselves that it’s not personal, but it usually is. Work is personal, you spend 90 percent of your life (if you are me) working or at work, of course it’s personal. The trick is learning to separate emotion and know that it’s not you. Emotions exist all around us, feel them, just don’t let them rule you.
A kiss can set your world on fire — it really can. That dizzying type that will have reeling for days. This also mean it can cause you a world of trouble and hurt. A world shattering kiss is something every person needs to experience at least once in their life. This type of kiss is dangerous with the wrong person but electric and world changing with right person.
People will disappoint you — because that is life. We hold people to the same standards we hold ourselves and that is already impossibly high in some cases. Human beings are far from perfect and when they disappoint you it feels like betrayal, it’s not. People will always disappoint, just learn to work around it. Remember you too will disappoint people.
Trust yourself — YOU have your best interest at heart all the time. Trust that you are making the right choices, less second guessing and more risking and being brave. Believe that it will work out and if doesn’t at least you tried. You are enough.
Water is Queen and King — hydrate. This may seem silly to you but it really is a paramount rule in life. Drink lots of water, it leads to good health and beautiful and youthful skin. Water truly is Queen… and King.
Happiness is a journey — stop putting so much pressure on yourself to be happy. What is happiness if not a series of choices that make you smile and feel content. It is a journey that requires many micro steps not one giant leap.
Make plans — it might seem cool to live with fluidity of whatever happens but makes plans. Don’t be bound down by them but it’s nice to have a compass. Where are you going? And where did you come from? Make some plans.
Save money but also spend it — it’s smart to put away money for a rainy day, because those days will come and sometimes sooner than you think. However, do not chase the future so hard that you forget to leave time for the present. Go on that trip that you have been dreaming of, buy that thing you always wanted.
Find connections in the mundane — there is magic in the ordinary. Find ways to live in the magic everyday even when it seems silly, especially when it seems silly. You are magic.
We are all broken inside — the human heart is a fragile yet very strong thing. All of us are dealing with something, some insecurity, hidden pain or shame. Be kinder, softer, generous and gracious with people because we are all broken inside.
Don’t be afraid of your fear — fear will hold you like a jailer masking as a lover. Do not let it. It will whisper to you in the dead of night, wrap you in what feels like comfort, it isn’t. Own your fear even when it’s hard and you are drowning. Own it because it is not your master but the things you tell yourself in the dark, own it so you can step into the light.
Your word is your bond — if you let it mean nothing you will equally be nothing. You are not victorious because you let people down, you are victorious because you were there. Do what you say you will and when you can’t let people know and explain. Your word is everything, it is the hallmark of who you are.
Emojis are hella confusing — I will never understand what conversation made of faces or icons mean. Their truth elude me and I am lost in a haze of thoughts misunderstood. Emojis are hella confusing.
Pick your battles — not every fight should be fought. Many things in life will get you ready for battle, some of them are worth it others not so much. You have to pick your battles and learn to let things go sometimes, truly let them go.
Address your truth — we are too grown to let our lies hold us hostage. Face your truth, no matter how impossible it may seem, the world cannot be darker than the place you have allowed the lies to trap you in.
Read books, long articles, just read — like a fucking grown up. Books, long reads holds knowledge 280 characters will not give. Learn, explore and find new worth in stories fiction or otherwise. It has never been cool to say I don’t read.
Sleep, get some damn sleep — saving sleep for death is a sure fire way to get dead. Sleep is not a luxury it’s a necessity. It is not in vogue to be sleep deprived, it is a medical hazard. Get some sleep and be better at your life.