2017 was filled with many mistakes and lessons learned. Maybe you are still hurting from your experiences. Just because it’s a new year does not mean that pain can simply disappear. Healing takes a lot of time and that is ok. However, in order to heal you must have faith that there are better days ahead of you. Make 2018 the year you fall back in love with yourself, the year you put yourself before others, the year you learn to surround yourself with people who truly appreciate you and see your worth. Let this year be about YOU.

“We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.” ― John Lennon

Forgive

Every single one of us make mistakes whether they are in relationships, finances, personal decisions, and so on. Through or mistakes, we learn lessons and how to act. Remembering this can help us forgive our failures from the past and realize their purpose. Everything happens for a reason. You were hurt for a reason. You went through a struggles for a reason. However, when we forgive ourselves for our mistakes we can redirect our attention to new efforts that produce new results that will be beneficial to us. Our everyday efforts to make the right decisions and do the right thing will bring out the best in us. This year forget everything, start fresh, and always work on making the decision that will benefit you in the end.

Don’t let this year be full of frustration and pain.

Last year, you cried, you laughed, you were alive, and that changed your life. All the struggles and pain shaped you and produced a new you. Understand that now, you finally have a chance to be happier than ever been before. Forget everything that is holding you back and create a life that YOU want to live. Putting yourself first is a sacrifice, but it is one that must be made to live your best life. In order to put yourself before anything, you have to engage in your own interests, pursue your ambitions and goals, and ensure your well being. All of these things factor into your happiness. If it doesn’t bring you happiness, it’s not worth your effort or time.

Just because you come first, does not mean you can’t help others.

As you take 2018 as a time to work on yourself, you cannot be selfish in your ways to be better. You build character when you truly care for others. If someone around you is going through a tough time, show them you care and will be there for them. How will you present your worth to others if you are self centered? Use your past experiences and learnings to guide others in order to help them get through their struggles. Be the kind of person you would want to surround yourself with so that you may be appreciated for your efforts.

To love oneself, is to know oneself. In order to know yourself you must recognize your strengths and use those to your advantage. Use this year for self growth and self love, and I promise everything else will fall into place, ultimately bringing you happiness. Cheers to a new year filled with endless possibilities.