If I had to summarize what I have learnt in 2021 in one sentence is that the little things we do make us who we are, and we must be proud of this, accept our flaws and most importantly acknowledge and appreciate our virtues.
We have faced another challenging year, but we made it, once again and for that we are so grateful.
This last year has been challenging for many people across the world, many have lost their loved ones, their jobs and continue to face constant struggles which we might not be aware of, this is a reminder on why we should be grateful of what we have.
Today, I would like to share with you my reflections of 2021 and what I have learnt:
To value what I have and people who surround me.
In such a fast-paced and demanding world, it is easy to get lost and be demanding towards yourself. This is good. Being demanding is a positive thing, as long as there are certain limits. It is normal that at certain times we are demanding towards ourselves, but this should not be a constant in our lives.
Sometimes, you have to put the brakes on for a moment and try to distance yourself to think things better and find a balance. For me, being realistic and valuing what I have, what I have achieved and the people who have helped me achieve it has been fundamental.
Don´t take health for granted
The Pandemic has been a wake up call for many of us. The importance of looking after body, mind and spirit has never had as much attention as today and we must embrace it for generations to come.
We all know that exercising is essential for our health. Practicing regularly helps us stay fit and improve our health. However exercise has many more benefits, for instance it also helps reduce stress levels and boost your energy levels throughout the day.
Mental health care is also very important. The avalanche of information to which we have been subjected in recent years, both in the media and in the different social networks, has not helped, therefore while it is important to take a moment a day to check the news, remember not to be connected at all hours. For me, sports and meditation have been instrumental.
Living a ´slow paced´life
The ‘slow life’ reminds us of the importance of practicing activities calmly to enjoy each moment with another philosophy, more leisurely, without rush or stress. Sometimes it is difficult to get out of this loop, so remember that it is a question of balance: maintain a calmer rhythm to cope with stress and combat those moments with others that are more relaxing. It’s all about finding a moment for yourself, your self-care. Meditation and connecting with nature have been essential for me these past few months.
Taking care of our planet
We live in a world of consumerism where many times we are valued for our belongings. But the reality is that this is beginning to change, and more and more people are becoming more aware of their lifestyle and the impact it can have on our planet.
I believe in the three Greenpeace 3 R’s that precisely seek to foster that respect in the world in which we live. According to this organization, responsible consumption should seek:
·Reduce. Generate the least amount of waste possible through a life as zero waste as possible (bet on reusable, buy in bulk, avoid products with packaging or for discreet and minimal packaging; ensure that it is recyclable; consume products to reduce CO2 emissions that exist in transport, among other habits).
·Re-use. Use each product as many times as possible.
·Recycle. Separate the waste generated by types and take them to their corresponding containers.
Check out this blog for more information.
Kindness
Kindness, towards me and towards others. I tend to be over energetic, an over planner and over achiever so being kind towards me is not something I usually do as I like to push myself. However one thing I learnt is that it is ok to fail, it is ok not to be on top of the game all the time and its TOTALLY OK to be VULNERABLE. Kindness towards me and others is so important, not only you are helping those in need but you are also helping yourself. As my niece and nephew say, ´fill my bucket´.
I hope these words are useful to you, I would love to hear what 2021 has taught you, so please, do share!
For now, I would like to wish you all a wonderful end of year and a fantastic start to 2022!
Lots of love, light and laughter, Hanna
