lessons 2023 has taught me

Good morning/afternoon/evening, you beautiful people!

As the year draws to a close I am looking back at the year that was before I look towards the year that will be.

2023 was quite a year! Every month felt twice as long for me and this year felt so slow but now looking back I cannot believe that it is over! 

1) Build a routine 

Going into the new year this is quite a popular trend. New routine, new you! While this post is just in time for the 2024 new year, this lesson can be applied whenever but the sooner you hone it, the better. Getting to know yourself, what works best for you and how to go about your day and week in a way that is most productive for you and your lifestyle is crucial to success, even sanity. Your routine does not have to look like anyone else's, in fact it's ideal that your routine is specifically tailored to you and your needs and goals. To me a routine does not always have to time-based, if something does not work for  me in the mornings, I'll shift it to my evening routine and see how it fits for me. Tailor it as you go along but start anyway. Building a routine helps you to be prepared.

2) Start studying early on in the academic year

This was such a huge lesson for me this year. Do not wait until exams are around the corner to start reviewing and revising your content. Start early in the academic year and don't sit with concepts that you do not understand. Don't be afraid to ask your teacher, even if you are the only one who didn't get it. Make use of YouTube, that app is honestly life-changing! When I finally started watching YouTube videos, I was so sad that I had not started sooner. 

3) Be honest about your likes, wants and needs

This lesson may seem obvious but I believe that it's necessary to mention because I struggle with this. The best way to live is to live an honest life, just be yourself. As a human being, it is only natural to have needs, wants, likes and dislikes. It's okay to honest about them! 

4)Prepare, prepare, prepare!

I do not think that you can ever be overprepared. In fact I believe that preparation means that you respect yourself, those who you will work with and the task at hand. Preparation allows you to be your best self and avoid unnecessary embarrassment. So, take time out to find out what is necessary and how to show up in life, as your most prepared self!

5) Learn to drown out the noise

Everyone has options, as they are rightfully entitled to but you have to learn how not to listen to everyone that has a mouth and everything that can make noise. This takes practice and incredible discipline but once you can master this you will have more peace in your life. 

6) Give things time 

Life is full of ups and downs, ins and outs. Just give things time, nothing ever lasts forever. I know that whatever you are feeling may overtake your world and you may feel like your ocean of emotion will last forever but I can assure you that it will not even if salt water is you can taste, smell and see. This also applies to decisions, give things time. Take your time, don't rush to make decisions, sometimes letting things play out instead of making a decision in a haste can help you to see the pros and cons before fully committing yourself.

7) Live your own life

As a young person, it is quite easy to be attached to who your parents are. I feel that as we grow older, we should become less attached to who our parents are and focus more on who we are as individuals and develop that more. I believe that it is important to develop yourself, your skills, your own likes and dislikes; who are you choosing to become? 

8) The Importance of Adulting 

I am in my second year of college, this is the last time that I am saying this🙏! Next year I will be my third and final year and I am so grateful for my progress and growth, God's goodness and His faithfulness. This year, I turned 21, which is a huge milestone for me. I realized that now as a legal adult I have to live up to it. This means making formal appointments, showing up on time, dressing appropriately as an adult, being able to read a room, thinking about my career and putting things in place to become an independent woman. I feel that these things and more are crucial to becoming an adult and this year I started working on them and embracing adulthood but also womanhood. I have always looked forward to being an adult and I am so grateful to finally be 21 but it also comes with the responsibility to take care of myself, be a responsible citizen and exercise and protect my autonomy.

9) Pray

I am sure that by now you all know that I am a Christian, so I firmly believe in prayer. For me, it's about maintaining a relationship with my Creator. It doesn't have to be fancy, some days, I literally just pray Our Father, the Lord's Prayer or say Hail Mary, Full of Grace... I am not Catholic but my mom was raised in the Catholic church so I am quite comfortable and familiar with Catholic prayers. Prayer is not about you, there are so many times where I am afraid to pray because of my sin but that's a lie we come to Jesus because of who He is and what He has done for us. He is enough, so we are enough. He is worthy so we are worthy! Remember that, sweeties😊!

10) Music

Coming from me, this point should come as no surprise. Especially since I spent a whopping +59000 minutes on Spotify! To say that music has been such a huge pillar this year would be an understatement. I am one of those people who cannot study in silence, even working in complete silence is weird for me. I truly value the upliftment that music brings me, it encourages me and keeps me going. I can shut out the rest of the world and focus on the feelings that the music bring me. I can forget about my struggles and pains and be in the moment. (Currently I don't have my phone, but once I get it fixed, I will link my top songs for 2023 and perhaps you'll find a gem or two! )

11) Never lose hope

This is such a typical message, I hear especially now, with war and so many things happening. Fear of everything and with all the bad happening in today's world it can feel overwhelming. Like the world is only getting darker. I implore you to feel hope anyway. Don't give in to feelings of hopelessness and despair. Continue to be the good that you wish to see in the world. Continue to work towards your dreams, goals, passions and purpose. Continue praying and looking toward God, even though the end may be near and we do not know the hour nor the day;each day God wakes you up, know He is not done with you and therefore have courage and hope. 

12) Do more of what makes you happy

We are all different, made beautifully in God's image. We all have different likes and dislikes, one thing that I wish I did differently this year was do more of what l love, without the feeling of needing a buddy. I will definitely work on this next year, and I will report on it, this time next year. 

What has 2023 taught you?

May 2024 make our dreams come true and may the tears that we have shed water the plants of next year's produce❤️! Happy New Year, Friends!

All my love ❤️

Ruthy