2018. My, my, my. There is a lot that I can say of this year. It has been difficult but also very full of good things. If you have been rocking with me for the last year, you know that 2017 was extremely difficult for me. With the loss of my grandmother and taking my comprehensive exams I was a mess a lot of the year. This year, though not without it challenges, was pretty good. I turned 30, which has brought a new perspective on my wellness journey, and just overall grew a lot. Here are a few lessons that 2018 taught ya girl.
What I look like in balance.
I turned 30 in Bali and celebrated reaching 30 countries; two milestones in and of themselves. When I was in Bali I swam daily, ate whole foods, and created every morning. I have never been that easy breezy. From it I have a standard for what I could be. I think it is very important to experience being at your best, being whole, and in balance. Knowing what it feels like to be happy and at home in myself also jumpstarted me being less willing to give way to stress in the way that I normally did.
Rebranding is necessary sometimes.
This year I decided to rebrand myself and all of my platforms. It was a scary process because I had been Shardenodyzoff since 2011 and I have been working hard to build a space to create that was more than a hobby. You never know how other’s will take to a “new you” as it were, but this change felt right. I think it was important to be intentional about what you reflect and, honestly I am becoming less of a “no days off” kind of person and more of a “wholeness” lady. That being said, sometimes you have to change to reflect who and where you are.
Invest in yourself.
I have been reading about this all year it seems like. It is true though. If you want to grow, personally and in business, it is important for you to invest in it. If there is something you want to learn, find a class. If you need to recharge, get a hotel for a night or spa trip. If you want to build a business, get a coach or go to a conference. Investing in yourself is always money well spent.
Don’t be caught up in products.
I bought three cameras and about four lenses. Not going to lie, part of it is that I am a little bit of a tech geek. However, I needed to upgrade equipment and was partially trying to figure of what would work best. Even now I am tempted to spring for a newer, more swanky set up. But if you get caught up in keeping up, you will never reach it. Instead I am challenging myself to learn all I can about what I have and make it work like something more expensive. The truth is that you have to be firmly planted where you are and also see how blessed you are with what you have. Do what works for you.
You don’t owe nobody nothin’.
This might be one of the most important things on my lesson list this year. I care a lot about how people perceive me and not disappointed my loved ones. This is something that I continue to work through. As crude as it may sound, you really don’t owe anyone anything. This is especially true if it is at the expense of your wellbeing or happiness. A quote that I love says, “Never set yourself on fire to keep someone else warm.”
It is ok to have to take steps back.
I think I have gotten pretty good at conceding to backing up this year. There has been more than one instance over the course of the year when I have gotten so overwhelmed but I have taken things off the plate when I needed to, or gone to bed (because the work will be there when you wake up). Look at God! Come on growth!
Don’t despise the process.
Lastly, it is extremely easy to get discouraged when you see people seeming to zoom by you or doing more than you. I know it has made me feel like I need to work more or harder, but comparison is the thief of joy and creativity. Our processes are tailored to us, but more importantly there is no gauge for your chapter four and someone else’s chapter twelve. There is value in the lessons we learn and growing into what we want to be. I hate moving slowly but I’m learning to appreciate it.
What have you learned in the past 365 days? I’d love to know.
Love and Light,
~S
Shardé Searches 