I was never one to be the sentimentally reflective at the end of another year. Maybe it’s the nature of growing up and being hyperaware of time as it goes by, but this year I wanted to take some time and acknowledge that 2018 has been yet another year of growth. Here are a few of the life lessons I’ve learned this year in particular.

Life Is Full Of Hard Work

I don’t mean to start off in a bleak or pessimistic manner, so let me explain. I’m sitting here at 9 in the evening on a Saturday night drafting this blog post after a day of photoshoots and Youtube editing. That agenda doesn’t even include any of the work responsibilities and planning I’ve got to do before the weekend is over. I’m not saying all of this so you can have pity on me because truth me told, I’m very happy with all I’m that working on and towards. The reality is, all of it is hard work. 

Even if we reap the benefits of our hard work later in life, that doesn’t necessarily mean we stop working altogether.

 I see so many people, either through social media or  face-to-face interactions grinding hard towards another degree, a promotion, or just the chance to leave a mark in this world. That’s not to say they don’t love what they, do but all of it, no matter what, takes a lot of perseverance and dedication. We live life with the impression that we work hard in our youth and reap the benefits when we are older. Part of me is beginning to realize that even if we reap the benefits of our hard work later in life, that doesn’t mean we necessarily stop working altogether. I doubt I’d be satisfied spending my life aimlessly laying on the beach with nothing to do. Even if I reach a point in my life of financial comfort or even if I’m not struggling through every assignment, task or deliverable,  I’ll still work hard to be my personal best. Constantly pursuing purpose, which isn’t stagnant and changes based on the level of life we are in, means constantly working towards purpose. In other words, the grind don’t stop. 

It’s Not Too Late To Start (Or Rekindle) A Friendship

I moved back to New York with very mixed feelings. Even though I’ve lived in the city all my life, I had grown pretty strong relationships with some of the people I met in Boston while also neglecting some childhood friendships back home. When I finally came back, it was clear that dynamics had changed. That’s definitely ok! If anything, changed dynamics allowed me to open up to meeting new people and developing new friendships.

You’d be surprised at how well you can hit it off with a friend who you haven’t spoken to in years. 

Very few people set a time limit on allowing new people into their lives as friends and if they do, that’s they’re loss! At the same time, you’d be surprised at how well you can hit it off with a friend who you haven’t spoken to in years. It’s not always hard feelings! Allow yourself to meet new people or don’t be afraid to reach out to that one friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. 

You Don’t Have To Do Everything, Especially If You Don’t Want To

I feel like this year there was definitely a trend of the “learn to say no” mentality, and I am fully here for it. People will ask you to hang out, to come to the club, to go to the cookout, to go on a trip, the list goes on and on. If you didn’t already know, you don’t have to say yes to everything. If anything you simply can’t. If the people in your life don’t understand that either they’re doing too much themselves or they don’t understand what it means to prioritize. FOMO is real but rest, achieving your goals, and peace of mind is realer. 

Final Thoughts 

As I’m gearing up to set new goals for 2019, I’ll definitely be keeping some of these lessons in mind. What are some major life lessons you’ve learned this year. I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below! 

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5

#EniGivenSunday