Happy New Year!
Hey 2020! Nice to meet you!
I’ve thought about this post for a few days now, and unfortunately I’ve just written myself in circles. It should be inspirational, right? Motivational? Probably. But how many times can we read “New Year, New You” before we get numb to it? Today, by chance the sandwich shop I often work from was closed, so I’ve set up shop down the street at Starbucks. So picture it with me- me sitting at a high top, smelling the strong aroma of coffee, staring into space about what to talk to you all about. It should be relevant, real, honest and maybe even funny. I’ve got nothing. And then, I look to my left. They have a whole sticky note wall of motivational quotes written by customers. Its so beautiful seeing all of the different handwriting and motivating words. For whatever reason, this wall of thoughtful mantras seemed to pack more of a punch for me seeing it written. It was like seeing it in someone’s own handwriting made it feel more genuine.
So today, I bring you a summary of my favorite words that resonated with me. Thoughts that I hope the people who wrote them truly believe themselves.
Leave things better than you found them.
Take this literally or figuratively. Either way, I love it. For starters, if we all lived this way, we wouldn’t have a littering/trash problem. But beyond that, stores would’t be a mess, public bathrooms wouldn’t be so gross, and those you crossed paths with during the day would smile.
Believe in the power of positive affirmations.
Honestly, I personally live this one. My hubs even calls me ‘nauseatingly optimistic’. When there are problems, I remind myself that I am the type of person who can figure it out and I really think it helps. A lot can be said about changing your mindset to be more positive. This may seem so simple, but a few years ago I told myself I was only allowed to complain about the winter cold 3 times that season. Its crazy, but I don’t hate winter as much and I find myself happier (yet still dreaming of summer).
Drop your shoulders. Drop your baggage. It’s a new day!
My mom has always said to me, “Ashley, tomorrow is a new day.” Whenever I’ve come home stressed or called her with issues, she reminds me that yes, tomorrow is a new day. I get a chance to try this thing called life all over again and change what I didn’t like about yesterday.
Be yourself, no one else can!
This one I really loved. We all have something different, something unique and amazing to bring, why spend your time trying to be something you’re not? I’ve learned that I might not be for everyone, but also that everyone isn’t for me. But that’s OK, because the world would be pretty boring if we were all the same.
So at the start of this year, I like to take some time and self reflect, do a little soul searching to identify ways to improve on that already amazing you, set some (reachable) goals, and just plan out what I would like the next year to bring. Change doesn’t happen over night, but here’s to a new year, and a new outlook.
xo, Ashley
