End of Year Wrap-Up: Between Letdowns and Highpoints

Today we mark the last day of a year and the beginning of another. It is the time when we look back at the things we achieved, the things we didn’t, and the things we want to do differently next time. As everyone shares their wins, ticked-off bucket lists, transformations, as well as personal and professional advancements, we begin to look at our accomplishments. Overwhelmed by comparison, it is completely normal to start questioning and wondering if you are way left behind. Truth is, you are not ahead or behind, simply because everyone is on a different course, leading a different path.

 

We sit down and reflect on areas where we succeeded and areas of shortcomings, but maybe what we need is a shift in perspective. Maybe we didn’t get that job promotion, lose those extra pounds, buy that car, travel the world, or renovate the house. Perhaps we couldn’t even achieve smaller goals, we didn’t break bad habits, we didn’t read as many books as we wanted, and we didn't acquire a skill or two.

 

But in fact, if we put our resolutions and goals aside, achieved or not, and begin to look closer at our year in retrospect, we’ll realize there were far more wins and gains away from that vision board we created for ourselves. You will notice some overlooked blessings, simple, joyful moments when you felt really alive, times when you got up on your feet after life had knocked you down really hard, a warm hug from a friend or someone you love when you felt all alone in the world, a compliment when your confidence had taken a tough hit, and the fact you managed to stay sane in a such a crazy, cruel world.

 

This time of the year adds a lot of pressure on everyone to try so hard and strive to become the best versions of themselves, to do things we can boast about in big parties and gatherings, to transform in a way we can impress others and feel proud of ourselves about. But maybe what we really need, is to take it easy on our resolutions and self-expectations, not that we should go with the flow or give up on having goals and leveling up altogether, but to assess our growth as humans and not projects. To remember that life happens and that we can't necessarily keep control of things and have them happen as planned; to remember that sometimes we might get off track and not exactly reach where we aimed for; to love ourselves for who we are now and thank ourselves for trying; and to know that, resolutions or not, this year will still bring you gains, ones that maybe you never really had in mind.