10 Lessons from 2022

It’s the first day of 2023, but I wanted to share some life lessons and themes from 2022. The year wasn’t easy by any means (hell, my life has been a complete haze since January of 2019) but I survived. My survival is strongly attributed to my mindset and how I was able to focus on lessons and not merely situations. So here are 10 things that 2022 taught/showed me.

1 – Give Me My Flowers Now. The Wake Is Too Late

We hear it all the time, but people truly aren’t celebrated enough while they are here with us on earth. Don’t wait to flood those you love and respect with flowers and admiration once they have left their earthly bodies. Tell them today, tomorrow isn’t promised.

2 – Tomorrow Isn’t Promised. Stunt On Them Today.

Life is entirely too fleeting. Why are you saving that outfit, hairstyle, bottle of champagne for a special occasion? Being alive is the occasion and if you’re going to show up, then show out. Wear the dress. Put on the heels. Beat the face. Buy the fragrance. Do the most. Be the most.

3 – Pride and ego is blocking your blessings and your growth.

My ego completely died in 2022, and it was the best thing. Your pride and your ego is stopping you from experiencing and receiving so many things. It takes humility and a whole bunch of self awareness to admit and understand that you don’t have the answers, you’re standing in your own way, and there are things you’re missing out on. For example: all of us who hate “asking for help”. Stop looking at is as asking for help, and more like utilizing your resources.

4 – Enjoying your solitude sets the foundation for self love.

I went on so many solo dates and outings in 2022. While this isn’t a new concept for me, I just truly enjoyed my own time more than I ever had before, because I did it consistently. It was no longer just a treat of some sort, but a consistent way I intentionally chose to live life. And I didn’t need anyone else to do it. I loved myself in ways that was so healing and just really set the tone for everything else.

5 – Do it scared.

You won’t know until you try. You’ve put your pride and ego to the side and now it’s time to just jump and do it. I always say “It is what it is til it ain’t”. So you try it and you hate it, ok don’t do it again. You try it and it doesn’t work out the way you hoped. Do it differently next time. But sitting paralyzed and not moving because you’re worried about a result have no clue about, insane. Get centered, focus on why it is you truly want to do something, and if it’s aligned, go for it and let the universe surprise you.

6 – Forgiveness isn’t necessary. Sometimes you just have to leave people where they had you fucked up at.

We are taught that we need to forgive others and that giving this forgiveness is for us and not the offending party. I call bullshit. There are times and circumstances where you have to leave people right where they are. I don’t care if they’re remorseful or not. I don’t care if it appears to others that I’m “holding a grudge”. Trust and believe, there is no beef, but I just don’t bang.

7 – Leave your hometown. Move. Start over.

My contract for my job ended in September of 2022 after 3 years. I took this as an opportunity to up and move because I had nothing holding me back. I condensed my life, bought a one way ticket to Texas and shipped my car at 38 years old, no job and just my dog. Again, it is what it is til it ain’t. But I stacked up dropping pride and ego with do it scared and just did it. I definitely didn’t make the decision lightly and know it was ordained and aligned by God (another story for another day) but I’m here in Texas doing it and stretching myself. It’s good for the soul, I promise.

8 – Failing forward is better than an easy win.

You’re not always going to get it right. Sometimes when we do things scared we fail. But I like to fail forward. By that I mean having an internal meeting and analyzing the loss. In my profession as a Business Development Manager we have to have a debrief after we have lost an opportunity or bid. What did we do wrong? What did we do right? How can we improve and ensure greater chances of winning next time. Bottling up the lessons and striking next time arms you with more to win than an easy win that was handed to you. I’ll gladly take the lesson to ensure multiple wins and not just a one off.

9 – Having purpose whilst being patient is paramount.

Patience is definitely a virtue, and it’s definitely a haze. But to keep busy while you’re waiting you need to be clear about your purpose. Why do you want what you want. Is it aligned with your desires and God’s plan for your life. Having a true understanding of your purpose makes it worth the wait when you know the promise on the other side. Other than that you’re waiting in vain.

10 – Do what makes you feel good. Then do more of it.

Living a life of intention is of extreme importance to me. Saying yes to things that make me feel good and no to things that aren’t aligned and don’t feel quite right. Not only does it ensure I’m doing things I enjoy, it also helps with my anxiety. There is nothing more anxiety producing than saying yes when you really want to say no. So I said and continue to listen to my gut and do what makes me feel good, and stack feel good moments on top of each other. You’ll look back and have way more ups than downs.

I hope 2023 gives you all your heart desires and then some. Here is to a prosperous new year. If there is anything that you learned last year, I would love to know in the comments below.