Here we go again, guys! It's that time of year where we all take a breather and look back on all the memories that were made in 2014 (which went by ridiculously fast, might I add!!) and make new resolutions we hope will stick for more than just the first few weeks of the new year ahead, because I mean, doesn't that happen every year?
I'm writing this post just a few minutes past midnight making it officially New Year's Eve - the last 24 hours of 2014. I spent the last hour putting together a list of all the things I learned and discovered about myself over the last 364 days and of course, I wanted to share it with you guys! :)
1) If there's one thing I learned this year it's that I am in NO way near ready to have a child of my own! I did a lot of babysitting for my nephew this past year and despite the enjoyment I got out of it, it did prove to be quite the challenge!
2) Flossing is SO important! Going into the dental field for the first time this year, I learned a ton of new things but I truly learned how important it is to floss! Take it from me, your teeth (and over all health) will thank you in the long run! :)
3) You don't have to say yes to everything. I love helping people out whenever I can but this past year, I learned that some people can take advantage of that. If you don't enjoy doing something, don't do it. It's okay to say no sometimes.
4) On the contrary, it's okay to say yes to things you normally wouldn't agree to do! There's a question I once saw in a commercial - "When was the last time you did something for the first time?" and it stuck by me since then. I tried out a lot of things this year that I didn't think I was capable of doing and it honestly felt great to challenge myself to do that.
5) Don't half-ass anything. Hard work shows and it truly pays off. Don't start something if you know you can't be 100% committed to it.
6) No job is beneath you. Whatever social status you reach, you'll never be "too good" to not do something. We all started somewhere and it's important to never forget that.
7) Sometimes the best way to overcome fear is to face it. Most of the time, the things we're scared of the most are just inside our heads. There were numerous times this year where I was sort of just forced to face my own fears and although it was involuntary, I'm still thankful because I came out a stronger person.
8) People will tell you anything you want to hear to get what they want. This is honestly so sad because sometimes those people will be the people you thought you could trust.
9) If you want something, just ask for it. It's that simple.
10) By losing yourself, you can find yourself. 2014 has been quite the journey for me and sometimes you can only find who you're meant to be when you stop allowing yourself to be who you think you're supposed to be. I hope that made sense!
11) Books are the best companions. One of my patients actually told me this! She was well over 60 years old which proves that no matter what stage of life you may be in, you can always find solace in a book!
12) Worrying about something doesn't change anything! And most of the time, the things we worry about so much end up not even happening!
13) "I may not be where I need to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be". My favorite quote I stumbled upon this year! Whenever I felt like I wasn't progressing in my life, I think of this line and it's helped keep me in check.
14) Finally, the best thing I learned this year is that it is because of YOU that someone else is alive. No one really understands their importance in this world and we all struggle in finding our own place but whether we're aware of it or not, each action or choice we make every day, affects someone else. You may not know it just yet, but someone is very thankful you're alive because they wouldn't be if it weren't for you.
Now I want to know! What's one thing you learned in 2014? Did you learn to pilot a plane? Perhaps you mastered the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe? Whatever it is, please share it in the comments below and I'd love to read it!
From a tiny human cuddled under a giant blanket, I wish you all a very happy new year! ♡
Kisses,
S
Last year's post: 13 Things 2013 Has Taught Me
