15 Take Aways from 2015 — Shoveling Sunshine

So it’s New Year’s Eve and if you are anything like me you are probably sitting there wondering where the year went?! Seriously, it seems like 2015 popped in for a quick hello and then boom! Here comes 2016.

This is usually the day of the year that Facebook floods with everyone saying how they can’t wait for the year to be over. This year I encourage you to do something different. Embrace the struggles because they are teaching you something. Reflect on the good times and manifest even more good times for 2016. Every one is yearning for a fresh start and that’s exactly what everyone gets when January 1 rolls around. A fresh start. A chance to try again.

And to close out 2015 here are my take aways from 2015:

Slow Down: In Key West we have a saying “Slow Down, This Ain’t The Mainland” that has become so popular that it has its own bumper sticker and is featured on 1/2 the vehicles in KDub. But really, slow down. Why is everyone in such a hurry? I’ve come to believe that you are exactly where you are supposed to be at each moment. Isn’t it a lovely thought… that you are where you are EXACTLY where you are supposed to be. Kind of takes the pressure off right? Knowing the universe is guiding you to where you need to be at this very moment.

Check Your Tone: Often it’s not what you say but how you say it. Watch your tone as you speak to people throughout the day. One of my favorite saying is “You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar”. A smile (and southern accent if you have one) goes a long way too.

Put Yourself First: I like to call this one the airplane rule. One of the things that the flight attendants tell you in their safety spiel is that should the cabin pressure drop and the oxygen masks are needed be sure to put your own mask on first before helping others. The theory behind this is if something happens to you how will you be able to help others? Take time for yourself, it’s important.

Figure Yourself Out (and Use The Map to Get There): If you don’t know what you want and where you are going how can you expect others to be on board and to help you get to where you need/ want to be. Know what you want in life and have a plan to get there. Put this book on your reading list for 2016. It will change your life : The Map by Boni Lonnsburry

Independence Is The New Black: There is nothing sexier than a man or woman who can get shit done. Take some of your power back, you are stronger than you think and wiser than you know. I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T, do you know what that mean[s]!

Routine is Soothing: Figure out a routine that works for you. Whether it’s a morning routine, nightly routine, a daily routine. Even if it’s just 5 minutes of quiet time while drinking your coffee. Whatever it is figure one out and stick to it. You may have to try a few different things but tweak it as you go and figure out what works best for you. It will bring you a peace of mind and eventually, something to look forward to.
Morning Scrolling Gives Away Your Power: We use our cell phones for everything now a days. It’s our alarm clock, our lifeline, our address book, our portable photo album, our news source. Stop wasting time scrolling through Facebook in the mornings. You have no control over what information or news your FB friends will be feeding you. Why risk starting your day with a rant about traffic, politics, or whatever else that is shitty going on in the world. I didn’t even realize it but when I stopped the morning scroll my anxiety decreased dramatically in the mornings.

Adopt Morning Pages: Every morning write three pages of brain drain before you start your day. Doesn’t matter what you write, if it’s grammatically correct, or even if it makes sense. Just get a notebook or some paper and write 3 pages. This will help take away some of your creative blocks and make it easier for you to tune in.

Kindness is Underrated: Let someone in front of you in the grocery store that only has one item. Hold the door for someone. Give directions. Simply smile. The world needs more of it.

Perfection is Perception: We’ve all heard the saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, well so is perfection. Try your best, not for perfection. There will always be something that can be tweaked or improved, just do your best, that is the definition of perfection to me. Remember, we are all works in progress.

Time Does NOT Heal All Wounds: Whoever said that time heals all wounds is a liar. Time doesn’t heal anything, it just lessens the blow. If you are suffering take the time you need to at least begin the healing process. Time will help you to heal, but you will have to do the grunt work. It’s worth it.

Be Impeccable With Your Word: We all have those friends that cancel on us last-minute, or plan something months in advance because it sounds like a great idea but then when the time rolls around to actually carry out the plan they/ we fall short and it sucks. If you say you are going to do something do it. Remember it all starts with you. Do not break promises to yourself to accommodate others (see #3).

Self Talk is Bigger Than You: Be mindful of your self talk/ think, it’s a conversation with the universe. The other day I was sitting with a friend on my couch and they were just going on and on about how terrible they felt and what a shitty person they thought they were. You see my friend was in this nasty habit of bashing herself for all her missteps instead of focusing on the progress she had made. I don’t let people talk about my friends like that, even when it’s a friend talking about themselves. I told her “stop talking about my friend like that” and I could see her immediately taken aback. It gives us a different perspective; we wouldn’t let others talk about our friends in a negative way so don’t let people talk about themselves that way either. Stop putting yourself down, the universe is listening.

What Do I Want The End Result To Be?: This is a question that has changed the way I approach everything in my life. Whenever I’m making a choice or change I ask my self, “what do you want the end result to be”. It forces you to think of things outside of your scope and often times will give you a different perspective on your situation at hand.

Happiness (and lipstick) Looks Good On Everyone: Period.

Sionara 2015, bring on 2016! Cheers!