10 Life Lessons I Am Carrying Forward to 2022, and You Should Too

Time to let go of the “new year, new me” crap. As Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Do what you can, with what you have, wherever you are.”.

Every year I begin the new year with resolutions, which are never kept. I promise the moons and stars to myself, only to let go of my dreams and aspirations in a couple of months. I feel like new year’s resolutions are meant to be broken, aren’t they? Or maybe it is just me. Well, this year I have decided to let go of false promises; Instead in 2022, I have decided to carry forward learnings from the past to have a more meaningful, fulfilling, and happy year. So here are 10 takeaways, which will hopefully mold me to be a better human being, friend, sibling, daughter, co-worker, and lover this year.

1. Build a morning routine: Since the pandemic started, life has become very unruly. I miss the hustle of work mornings, where a fresh cup of tea and heels-for-days would be my weapons of destruction. Hence, 2022 begins with me taking control of my mornings. Even if it involves making my bed, dressing up for zoom calls, and having a hot cup of tea before logging in for work!
2. Forgo social media anxiety: Over the past few years, my screen time has increased drastically. A couple of days ago my partner and I decided to compare our screen times, and it was a rude awakening! Daily, I have been averaging over 3.5 hours of phone screen time. What for? While social media helps me stay connected, it also adds humongous amounts of anxiety and stress to my life! Hence, 2022 begins with me timing my online presence — baby steps.
3. Get back to books: There was a time when my mom would have to keep my books under lock and key so that I would study for my exams. I miss that girl. The girl who read, read beyond online blogs, had the vocabulary to match the oxford dictionary — not anymore. Last year I read 5 new books, but that’s nothing compared to the 5 books I used to read a month! This year, I aim to rekindle my romance with the smell of old books, and dance to the tune of fictional characters.
4. Stay in touch: As a very social person, I love to make friends and maintain those friendships. However, last year I moved overseas away from most of my family and friends. Maintaining virtual relationships has been hard, while there are few which have only grown stronger with distance — few didn’t do so well. I am to blame, I take full accountability. Hence, 2022 begins with me reaching out to the people I love and miss. Human beings thrive on love, I won’t let the pandemic and distance be excuses that dwindle my friendships this year.
5. Make healthier life choices: Moving to Canada has been an absolute adventure, but it has taken a toll on my health. The sedentary lifestyle and my love for cooking have not served me well. I read somewhere, “A year from now you will wish you had started today.” — what a beautiful statement! I love to cook, in 2022 I intend to take this passion to curate healthier recipes and watch what we eat. Heck, I am 30+ this is when the doctor starts spelling out scary things like Cholesterol, Fatty Liver, and Diabetes. I for one, do not wish to hear them.
6. Let-go of toxic influences: Like an overly emotional scorpion, I tend to hang on to friendships even if they are super toxic. I am a firm believer in giving the other person benefit of the doubt, hang on until the last thread breaks. Call it the pandemic effect, or age, but I have had enough. Toxic friendships have added so much stress to my life in the last few months, that I am deciding to quit them! 2022 will be a much happier year, surrounded only by those, who add positive vibes to my life.
7. Become more aware: As a child, I would see my father/ grandfather sit down and skim through the newspaper every morning, like a dutiful student. I never understood their love for news, nor did I appreciate this trait. Alas, it is now that I realize how unaware I am of what is happening in the world. Often I am caught mid-conversation where a particular event is being discussed, and I have no clue (quite shameful to be honest). Thus, in 2022 I have decided to read the news and become more aware!
8. Create short-term professional goals: I have been working in the consulting domain for nearly a decade now, and the competition is tough! Every year I decide to learn a new and complex skill that will aid my career progression, only to fail at it much like my new year resolutions. Hence in 2022, I have decided to make short-term quarterly professional goals, goals that are achievable and will add way more value to me as a package.
9. Save money: Of the very happening, and successful career growth I have had, I have nothing to show for it. I was never taught to save money, neither in school nor by family. I think saving money is a concept which Indian parents often forgo as they imagine each generation would learn with time; What they don’t understand is that the demand and supply ratio from their time to ours has tilted scales drastically! Everyone is out to get your money, every communication channel is set to entice you into new and exciting offers — to which I more than often fell prey. In 2022, I am to save a minimum of 30% of my salary for a rainy day.
10. Introspect and find balance: Ever seen the Karate Kid movie series? Mr. Miyagi, the fictional karate teacher from Japan teaches his prodigy the art of finding balance and introspecting. His teachings involved the art of self-reflection and building inner power (psychologically and physically). As we begin 2022, I realize I desperately need to find that balance in life. A balance that will help me be a better human being, and find inner peace. Thus, I intend to take 60 minutes every day just for myself. 60 minutes to introspect, to write, to learn, to create, and to achieve balance.

In summary, 2022 is mine to conquer. Key takeaways being:

• Build a morning routine, a good start to the day paves the path to success
• Let go of societal pressures enforced by glorified social media lifestyles
• Get back to hobbies you love, like reading a book before bed
• Build and maintain relationships that add true value to your life
• Chose health over else, without our bodies we’re as good as a vegetable
• Let go of toxic influencers, if someone causes you to stress then they do not deserve your love
• Be aware of what’s happening around you, and in the world
• Build short-term, sustainable, and value-adding professional goals
• Save money, you never know when a rainy day takes you by surprise
• Find inner peace, introspect and find balance in life.

I hope my life lessons aid you as well! I would love to hear your big plans for 2022, do share in the comments below, and let’s promise to make this year our’s to conquer.

Xo, Aakriti

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