A friend of mine said something the other week that stuck with me, 2021 is like pressing a restart button, while she was explained to me her next 10-year plan it made me freak out about mine. How has this whole 2020 year felt like a condensed 10 years in 1 and how I want the next year to kick-ass and really feel like my achievements matter! Ridiculously enough, we live in a generation that is driven by instant happiness (I’m guilty of that myself), which in truth puts off long term happiness, but we all have goals and ambitions so putting into perspective the next year can be overwhelming; make us a little unhappy!
I’m sure you’ve heard your friends or relatives say, “Oh, life will get better and I would be happier with my self when I get a new job/car/lose 1 stone” and to be very honest, we all do say something similar at least once in our lives. Studies show that only 10% of happiness comes from future events and the rest, 90% is based on our mindset now… How crazy is that to digest!
We’re here 2021, and you might not feel the fulfilment or happiness you thought you were going to feel at the end of 2020 because this year hasn’t been so kind to any of us.. and that is ok! And if you do, how freaking lucky are you, tell us your secret!
But let’s not start this next year with that in our minds, shallow we? Let’s find our happiness and fulfilment in the little things because life is about the little things at the end of the day; so here is what I’m going to do to start my next decade the right way for me.
6 TIPS TO KICK START A DECADE
1. If you want to save money in 2021, learn to consign.
If you’re anything like me, your desire to save money is probably at odds with your healthy interest (read: obsession) with fashion. I get it, and instead of cutting yourself off from shopping completely (because that would be awfully depressing), take some time to strategically plan out your purchases. Eyeing a new bag? Perfect! But don’t let yourself purchase the item till you’ve sold a purse collecting dust in your closet or you’ve saved enough that it won’t burn a hole in your credit card!
2. If you want a new job, revamp your self-brand.
Don’t just update your CV—revamp your LinkedIn page and clean up all your social media of anything compromising, get rid of your old recruiters and connect with new ones on LinkedIn. The process will give your job hunt a perk and force you to reconsider your personal brand.
3. If you want a relationship, go on at least one date per week.
If your only approach to finding a relationship is going out with your group of friends and ignoring all other people at the bars you frequent, it’s time for a change. It might be painful at first, but force yourself to go on at least one date per week with someone you’ve been set up with, met online, flirted with at the gym, etc. Even if the dates are horrible, you can feel proud and productive that you carved out time in your crazy schedule to dating and meeting people.
4. If you want to learn a new language, sign up for a class.
Gone are the days when a six-week language course costs as much as a month’s rent. Language classes are often easier to do via apps. At a fraction of the price, you might just pick up a new language and a new flame. Who wouldn’t want to practice their conversational French over a glass of Bordeaux?
5. If you want to travel, request vacation time now.
It’s not uncommon to procrastinate booking your travel plans, whether you’re deliberating over cost, location, or both. But if you request the vacation time and have it approved far in advance, a large part of the planning process is over. Plus, if the time rolls around and you haven’t scrounged together the funds to take that 10-day Moroccan tour, you can improvise at the last minute and visit friends or family in a city nearby, or plan a relaxing staycation in your hometown.
6. If you want to be a better friend, pick up the phone.
It may seem totally passé, but in a world where people communicate primarily through texts and tweets, a phone call goes a long way. See that a friend travelled to Paris from her incredible Instagram photos? When you notice she’s back in town, pick up the phone to learn about her trip. (And like her photos on Instagram, too. Duh.).