How To Enjoy The Final Days Of 2018?

“Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door. ” 

Coco Chanel

So you’ve made it through yet another Christmas and you’re a little jet-lagged from the overwhelming nature of the season. I know it’s universally known as this festive time of year filled with togetherness, gift-giving, merriment, overspending, and overeating. 

The latter of which I took great pleasure in, as always.

However, the leftovers have since been depleted and so has your tolerance for the rest of the year. With about 4 more days left, you may find yourself drifting in a state of uncertainty and ambivalence. And I assure you, it’s perfectly normal.

The imminence of an approaching new year tends to place us all in a snow-globe of emotions. Nevertheless, it’s still our duty to ensure that we savor the beauty of these final 96 hours (it may be less depending on when you read this).

And so today, we’ll be discussing 3 ways in which you can get the best out of what remains of 2018.

(If you’re new to Introverted-Insight, it’s really awesome to have you here. And if you’re a returning reader, welcome back! I’m always grateful to have you in my little space to be creative. By all means, enjoy today’s post and feel free to browse the site for more great content.) 

#1. Reflect With Gratitude

Let me be the first to say that 2018 was filled with so many ups and downs. I can easily write a book on how so many things went completely left-field this year. But really, that won’t be serving me any good.

You see, harnessing your energy and focusing it on all the negativity of the year isn’t adding any value to your life. It’s only perpetuating toxic situations, habits, and moments in your mind.

And don’t get me wrong now, it’s understandable if you feel the need to glance back on everything that may have went awry, but by no means must you dwell solely on the negative aspects of the past.

Instead, take what you learnt about life and about yourself from those experiences and use those things to press forward as we come toward the end of the year.

Be thankful that several trying situations and periods of darkness did not destroy you completely. You’re still here; you still have the opportunity to grow, improve, and succeed! In you, lies the ability to be reborn into a greater being than you once were.

I think a personal example for me would be how things unfolded with my plans for schooling this year.

Upon graduating in May with my Associates of Science Degree in Engineering, I had my mind set on continuing my education in August in Colorado. At the time I was sure that the major I selected was what I wanted to do with my life.

However, things didn’t financially pan out in my favor. Of course, I was devastated by the hand life had dealt me. I had a brief period of depression dealing with the matter. I felt as if I was already behind in life and that this gap year would turn out to be unfruitful and damaging.

But I’m joyed to say that I was uberly wrong! Over the past 6 months I’ve learnt so many things about myself and accomplished many personal wins. I created my own website (this blog, my baby), I finally got my driver’s license, became an uncle, began a new hair journey, and further developed several meaningful relationships and severed many pointless ones. Also, I gained a clearer idea of what exactly I want to do with my life academically and career-wise.

Sure, there were many nights laced with hardships, sure I had to bring myself to some hurtful truths, sure I had to come to the bitter realization that there are parts of me that need serious improvement, but through it all I’m thankful and most importantly, BETTER!

So as you reflect on everything that has happened to you over the course of the year, do so with thanks. You are not the same person you were at the beginning of the year. And whether that’s a good or bad thing depends on you and how you want to move forward in 2019.

#2. Start Preparing

After gaining a better sense of where you are and where you want to be in the new year, it’s time to put it all into action. It’s time get your mind and body in excellent working order.

2019 isn’t going to conquer itself. It’s your time to commit yourself to what you want to see happen. Use these final days to rid yourself of any draining spirits or negative energy. Allow yourself to be released from any empty drama.

Do not go into the new year with any contentment in your heart for anybody. People really aren’t worth all that time and energy. Focus on what you want to achieve and be smart, honest, and stealthy about how you obtain it.

As you plot out your success, write it down, pray about it, but most importantly work diligently toward it. You don’t have to go overboard with a bunch of pointless New Year’s Resolutions.

Be realistic, but not doubtful. Don’t aim for okay when you can obtain excellent. Believe that you are worth your own efforts and that what you’re working on now is preparing you for your prosperous future. Remember, success is more in the doing than in the thinking. So get ready to win!

#3. Surround Yourself With Positivity

Okay, I’ve noticed that this is around the time when people begin to swan dive into their feelings. They go on a blocking and deleting spree and distance themselves from a ton of people. Sometimes without plausible reason, and sometimes by clear conviction.

So by all means, don’t become phased by anyone’s icy behavior toward you. What they feel toward you has nothing to with you. Mind your business. What matters is that you surround yourself with individuals with the right mindset.

These are people who love to motivate and bring out the best in others. Those who will encourage you to chase your dreams within reason. These aren’t a bunch of “yes men” by the way, they’re simply people who will look at things logically and provide you with enough honesty to lean you toward making the right decisions.

And please, if you haven’t made it a habit already, learn how to rebuke and dismiss negative things spoken over you. Don’t give things like that any room to fester or attach themselves to you. There is power in the tongue, so use it to your advantage and protect yourself.

Speak positivity over yourself and be certain that you do the same to those that you choose to surround yourself with. Remember that you are responsible for what kind of energy you allow to be around you, so make sure it’s uplifting and not hindering you in the long run.

**Final Thoughts**

With 2018 about to be left behind in the annals of time, I think it is incumbent of all of us to put our best foot forward as we approach the uncertainty that is 2019.

But even as we close this chapter of our lives, we must remember how it has strengthen us, edified us, and molded us into newer, better versions of ourselves.

So by all means, be thankful for the lessons you’ve learnt and the trials you’ve overcame in 2018. Begin planning and working toward your promising 2019, and chose a nurturing crowd to thrive with all year-round. It won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible.

Let no man stop you. Believe in yourself. Go forth and win!

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