As the start of a new decade emerges, 2020 has many people feeling refreshed and ready for something new.

These past few years have been both rewarding and challenging for me as well. Heading into a new decade can be an awakening moment. It asks us to question where we are in our career, passions, relationships, and most importantly…ourselves. If you’ve felt stuck (as I have in past years) it can be concerning to think that you will continue doing the same exact thing next year and the following decade.

With this new point in time, I’ve become more aware that time has and will go by…it isn’t stopping for anyone. This has led me to question why I’ve allowed myself to feel stuck in certain areas and what self-doubts I need to acknowledge in order to progress and break free of patterns that don’t serve me. This new year had urged me to ask what it is I truly want for this next decade as well as a reflection of what’s been holding me back.

I’ve always been an advocate for self-care and improvement, because everything you do starts and ends there. How you feel about yourself carries itself into every area of your life and shows in your performance. If your mental and emotional wellness took a backseat in 2019, there’s no better time than now to focus on how you can fill your cup.

If you’ve been feeling unsure, stuck, confused, or unmotivated… it’s time to get in touch with yourself. Start with kindness. Instead of thinking of all the shortcomings or things that you haven’t achieved, a better place to start is by thinking of ways that you can be kinder to yourself.

That’s why I created a list of promises to myself in 2020. I started with kindness, which will in turn help give me the foundation I need to achieve and better understand whatever it is that’s still on my to-do list.

1. I promise to accept who I am now, as I work to be better

Just because you aren’t where you want to be does not mean that you are not deserving. As we achieve goals, we make new ones…so having a mindset of lack will make you feel like you’re never where you want to be.  Life doesn’t always work on your scheduled timeline. We are constantly growing and changing at our own speed, which isn’t comparable to anyone else. So don’t hold yourself to timelines or comparisons. Being kind to yourself exactly as you are will help give you the strength to allow yourself to heal and become better. Don’t beat yourself up about timing.

2. I promise to let go of the toxic people/habits in my life

This could be others, or it could be you. What leaves you feeling drained? Become more aware of how you feel and what’s holding you back. Our whole life is made up of habits. Things that you do every day over time that add up in the long run. We only have so much energy to give, and giving it to things that don’t serve us is a sure way to leave us drained and uninspired.

3. I promise to give myself forgiveness when I make mistakes

We all know nobody’s perfect, but the fear of failing can still haunt us when we have to make a big decision. Or even worse, we become stuck in thought patterns of where we’ve gone wrong before. This can lead us to living in the past rather than being present. Each day is a new day to start over. Forgive yourself. Life is full of lessons, and that’s where the growth comes from. You know now for next time.

4. I promise to remember self-love by sticking to my boundaries

Only you know what feels right. And although it may feel scary to say no, remember that you are your main priority. You don’t have to compromise yourself for the sake of others. There’s a quote that goes,

“Love yourself enough to set boundaries. Your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it. You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won’t accept.” – Anna Taylor

 5. I promise to always keep in mind that I cannot control everything

As someone who loves to be in control of how things are done, this can be a tough one for me to navigate through. But that’s literally life…uncontrollable. All we can ever do is react to the things presented to us…and that’s where our power lies. Trusting in the universe and ourselves allows us to step back and relax. No, you can’t control everything and that’s okay.

6. I promise myself to take opportunities presented to me

 This can be anything…big or small. Life isn’t going to wait for you to be ready. This tip relates a lot to being present–which is something a lot of people struggle with in a world that’s filled with distractions. But if an opportunity is presented to you today, just go do it. That includes going a spontaneous hike cause your friend asked. We never really know how long we have here on earth, so just go do it.

Content courtesy of Michelle Finn, Founder of Pop Design Shoppe

CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR, MICHELLE FINN

Michelle has a strong marketing background in a versatile set of roles including social media, events, and field marketing. She fell in love with design and combined it with her skills to create her business, Pop Design Shoppe. In the future, she hopes to continue her work within design or the arts (including interior design, fashion, the visual arts, and event design). She wants to continue working on projects that create impact. Her perfect day includes a morning workout, sunny day at the beach (preferably with her dog joining) followed by an evening out with friends at an event.

Connect with Michelle on Instagram @michellekatheriine and follow her business @popdesignshoppe