While we can all agree 2020 was not a good year for really anyone, 2021 looks promising. Sure, we are still in a pandemic, but don’t let that stop you from making this YOUR year.
We can’t go to the movies, concerts/festivals, restaurants, or see friends or family, but we can work and focus on ourselves and, sometimes that’s all we need.
Of course, we all have to continue to wear our masks, wash our hands, and do our part to stay apart, but that doesn’t mean your personal self should suffer.
Here are the top 5 things you can do to make 2021 your best year.
Self-Care
This is the most important thing. A global pandemic can stress a lot of people out, especially if you know someone who is sick or are an essential worker. Take some time for yourself. If you have vacation days stored up, take some time off now that the holidays are over. Come home after a long shift and take a relaxing bath and drink some wine (if you’re of legal age, of course). Do something each day for your physical and mental health. It is so important to take care of both.
Be Smart With Your Finances
It is very tempting when you are sitting home, and an ad pops up that is advertising a sale. Do not buy it, if you don’t need it. You may want it, but not need it. Although, going back to the self- care point, sometimes retail therapy is important, but set a budget. This is a difficult time right now for many people and learning to budget your money is important. If you can, put some away, in a savings account or just in a hiding spot, so when you are back on your feet, you can treat yourself.
Set Realistic Goals
First off, write down your goals. There is a better chance you will accomplish them that way. Second, don’t set your expectations too high. Don’t write down lose 30 pounds in six months because if you don’t do that, you’re going to be disappointed. Instead, write exercise daily, whether it’s taking the steps instead of the elevator or taking a lap on your lunch break. You also may not find your dream job, due to the circumstances, so make a goal to apply to at least one job a day and see what happens.
Focus On What You Can Control
Often, we worry about things we can’t control, and it makes our lives more stressful. Focus on the things we can control. You got rejected for that job, ok. Fix your resume or home in on a skill. None of us can predict the future, unless you’re a mind reader in which case, hello, but we can control the present. Do something each day that will impact your future. We all have good days and bad days, just focus on the good and good will come to you.
Get Rid Of Things
Getting rid of things in your life that don’t bring you happiness, that includes objects and people, is so important. It will feel like a weight is lifted off your shoulders. Those pants you’ve been holding onto for years for ‘when you lose a few pounds’ get rid of them. That toxic friend that makes you feel bad about yourself, dump them. Why keep things in your life that don’t bring you joy? Now, you may not want to throw the materialist things away, but you can always donate or sell them to others, so it will bring them joy.
Go out and live unapologetically so you can look back at this year and smile.