2017 is about to come to a close, and I don't think I'm alone when I say I am not sad to see it go. Tonight at midnight people will pop champagne and clink glasses to the bright promise of 2018. 2017 was a tough year, of course it had it's moments, but for our society, and on personal levels, it seemed to be a year full of challenges. 2018 is a clean slate, a fresh start, a chance to leave everything that happened in 2017 behind and start a new. It's time to close the book that was 2017 and begin to write on the new, crisp, pages of the next book that is 2018. But before the new year begins, I feel as though I have to say goodbye to everything that was 2017. In order to make the most out of the new year you have to let go of last years baggage. There are some things that should be left in 2017. 2018 is a new beginning, so leave behind anything that no longer serves you.
Say goodbye to unhealthy habits.
We all have ways of coping that aren't the best for us, let's make 2018 the year we break these unhealthy habits. Life can get hard sometimes, but harming yourself physically or mentally is not the answer. Stop starving yourself, stop biting your nails, stop the self deprecating thoughts, stop pinching your stomach, stop saying mean things to yourself, stop physically hurting yourself, just stop harming your health. Go to bed earlier, get some fresh air, do some yoga, fill your body with nutrients, compliment yourself, take care of yourself. We only have this one life and this one body, I think it's time we start to build ourselves up instead of tearing ourselves down. It isn't easy, it's hard to get out of whatever cycle we've put ourselves in, but it's possible and beyond worth it. If we spent as much time loving ourselves as we did hurting ourselves, think about where we would be. Make 2018 the year you ditch those unhealthy habits.
Say goodbye to the pain of last year.
Pain is inevitable, but there is no reason to bring last years pain into 2018. Whatever struggles you faced, heartbreak you felt, suffering you went through, take the lessons you learned and the strength you've gained, but leave all of that pain behind you. While the hardships we have faced have changed us or shaped us in some ways, the pain and negativity they brought to our lives deserves to be left in 2017. The new year is a chance to let go of the pain and sadness you've endured over the past year and make room for better things in 2018. Realistically, 2018 is going to bring it's own challenges, so why let old baggage make things harder? Stop holding onto things that make you sad or bitter, what's the point of that? Let it all go, you deserve a fresh start and a year filled with happiness.
Say goodbye to grudges.
One of my high school teachers told me, "Holding on to anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die," and it has resonated with me ever since. The only person holding on to anger and grudges is hurting is you, so leave all the poison drinking in 2017. I don't know about you, but I find myself still bitter about things that happened years ago and it takes up space in my life. Just let that shit go, it doesn't deserve to take up space in 2018.
Say goodbye to toxic people.
Literally, say GOODBYE. Delete numbers, block them on social media, rip up a photo of them, whatever it is you need to do to get toxic people out of your life, do it. I've always struggled with this, but I recently deleted numbers and removed people from my "Favorites" list because they were no longer bringing positivity into my life. Anyone that makes you feel sad, or angry, or not good enough, doesn't deserve a spot in your life in the new year. Really think hard about who was there for you and who was not and who brought you joy and who brought you to tears. Say goodbye to anyone who doesn't make you glad you are alive.
Say goodbye to mistakes/failures.
I hope I'm not alone when I say that I've made more than a handful of mistakes over the last 365 days. We all make mistakes, but don't let the ones from 2017 creep their way into 2018. Stop judging yourself based on your failures and focus on your potential for the future. Making mistakes is part of being human, and though failures can feel earth-shattering, they help shape us into the stronger people we are meant to be. You cannot change the past, as much as we often wish we could, so accept your mistakes, do your best to learn from them, and move on. Your mistakes do not define you and they do not make you a bad person. Go into 2018 regret free and leave your mistakes in the past.
Say goodbye to negativity.
Inhale the good shit, exhale the bullshit. A negative mind will never give you a positive life. Say goodbye to negative thoughts, people, places, activities, anything that doesn't serve you. We are our own worst critics, but shutting down those negative voices in our heads and replacing them with positive ones can make all the difference. In our world today it is easy to get caught up in all of the negatives, but make 2018 a year of positive thinking and action.
Say goodbye to "I can't"
You can do anything you set your mind to, take the phrase "I can't" out of your vocabulary. Saying you can't do something is setting yourself up for failure before you even try. It may be hard, you may need help, it may take some work, but know that you CAN do whatever it is you want to do. Instead of saying I can't, think of the reasons for why you think you can't, and then face them head on. Tell yourself "I can" and 2018 will be full of endless possibilities.
Say goodbye to unrealistic expectations.
There is nothing wrong with setting goals for yourself, but you have to make sure they are within reach. If you set your goals too high you are only setting yourself up for failure which will lead to self deprecation. Stop being so damn hard on yourself and beating yourself up all the time. Set goals within reach and allow yourself to accomplish them. Instead of "lose x amount of weight" maybe change it to "eat healthier and workout more," that way if you don't lose "x" amount of weight, but you become healthier, you don't feel badly about yourself for not meeting an unrealistic goal. Let go of all those crazy unrealistic expectations and set goals you can reach so that you can feel good about yourself.
Say goodbye to anything that doesn't bring you joy.
Honestly, I don't know about you, but in 2018 I just want to get rid of all the shit and all the people who don't make me happy. I don't want to let another year go by doing things with people who don't fill my soul with bliss. Think long and hard about what and who it is who makes you happy, and everything else can be left in the past. If you hate running, don't fucking do it. Find a work out routine that works for you and doesn't make you miserable. Hate your job? Fucking quit. Follow your heart, find what you love and just do it. Don't stray from the things that make you happy. Whatever made your life shitty in 2017 doesn't need to be brought into 2018. Leave the negativity behind and move forward to embracing a life you love.
Say hello to 2018.
Say hello to the fresh start and promise the new year has in store. Say hello to the endless possibilities that await you and all of the adventures that have yet to unfold. This is your chance to make changes, to reinvent yourself and your life, to do those things you've been putting off. Say hello to new people that will become good friends. Say hello to new experiences and welcome them with open arms. Wonderful things are in store, you just have to put good out into the world and you will receive good things back. Burn the pictures, throw away the scale, forgive yourself, think positively, and be happy. Say hello to self love and acceptance. You have 365 days to fill however you please, don't waste them. However 2017 went for you, good, bad, or somewhere in between, just know that tomorrow night when the ball drops it's all over. The pages are blank, it's up to you to write the next year.
So here we are, on New Year's Eve, ready to say goodbye to 2017 and hello to 2018. This year changed me, it brought out parts of me I never want to see again, it kicked me down. But it also brought me some of the most wonderful people I've ever met, it gave me the courage to try new things, and it showed me the changes I need to make, and that they are possible. Whatever 2017 was for you, I hope that 2018 is even better.
What are you leaving behind in 2017?
Love Always,
Olivia Jane
Say goodbye to unhealthy habits.
We all have ways of coping that aren't the best for us, let's make 2018 the year we break these unhealthy habits. Life can get hard sometimes, but harming yourself physically or mentally is not the answer. Stop starving yourself, stop biting your nails, stop the self deprecating thoughts, stop pinching your stomach, stop saying mean things to yourself, stop physically hurting yourself, just stop harming your health. Go to bed earlier, get some fresh air, do some yoga, fill your body with nutrients, compliment yourself, take care of yourself. We only have this one life and this one body, I think it's time we start to build ourselves up instead of tearing ourselves down. It isn't easy, it's hard to get out of whatever cycle we've put ourselves in, but it's possible and beyond worth it. If we spent as much time loving ourselves as we did hurting ourselves, think about where we would be. Make 2018 the year you ditch those unhealthy habits.
Say goodbye to the pain of last year.
Pain is inevitable, but there is no reason to bring last years pain into 2018. Whatever struggles you faced, heartbreak you felt, suffering you went through, take the lessons you learned and the strength you've gained, but leave all of that pain behind you. While the hardships we have faced have changed us or shaped us in some ways, the pain and negativity they brought to our lives deserves to be left in 2017. The new year is a chance to let go of the pain and sadness you've endured over the past year and make room for better things in 2018. Realistically, 2018 is going to bring it's own challenges, so why let old baggage make things harder? Stop holding onto things that make you sad or bitter, what's the point of that? Let it all go, you deserve a fresh start and a year filled with happiness.
Say goodbye to grudges.
One of my high school teachers told me, "Holding on to anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die," and it has resonated with me ever since. The only person holding on to anger and grudges is hurting is you, so leave all the poison drinking in 2017. I don't know about you, but I find myself still bitter about things that happened years ago and it takes up space in my life. Just let that shit go, it doesn't deserve to take up space in 2018.
Say goodbye to toxic people.
Literally, say GOODBYE. Delete numbers, block them on social media, rip up a photo of them, whatever it is you need to do to get toxic people out of your life, do it. I've always struggled with this, but I recently deleted numbers and removed people from my "Favorites" list because they were no longer bringing positivity into my life. Anyone that makes you feel sad, or angry, or not good enough, doesn't deserve a spot in your life in the new year. Really think hard about who was there for you and who was not and who brought you joy and who brought you to tears. Say goodbye to anyone who doesn't make you glad you are alive.
Say goodbye to mistakes/failures.
I hope I'm not alone when I say that I've made more than a handful of mistakes over the last 365 days. We all make mistakes, but don't let the ones from 2017 creep their way into 2018. Stop judging yourself based on your failures and focus on your potential for the future. Making mistakes is part of being human, and though failures can feel earth-shattering, they help shape us into the stronger people we are meant to be. You cannot change the past, as much as we often wish we could, so accept your mistakes, do your best to learn from them, and move on. Your mistakes do not define you and they do not make you a bad person. Go into 2018 regret free and leave your mistakes in the past.
Say goodbye to negativity.
Inhale the good shit, exhale the bullshit. A negative mind will never give you a positive life. Say goodbye to negative thoughts, people, places, activities, anything that doesn't serve you. We are our own worst critics, but shutting down those negative voices in our heads and replacing them with positive ones can make all the difference. In our world today it is easy to get caught up in all of the negatives, but make 2018 a year of positive thinking and action.
Say goodbye to "I can't"
You can do anything you set your mind to, take the phrase "I can't" out of your vocabulary. Saying you can't do something is setting yourself up for failure before you even try. It may be hard, you may need help, it may take some work, but know that you CAN do whatever it is you want to do. Instead of saying I can't, think of the reasons for why you think you can't, and then face them head on. Tell yourself "I can" and 2018 will be full of endless possibilities.
Say goodbye to unrealistic expectations.
There is nothing wrong with setting goals for yourself, but you have to make sure they are within reach. If you set your goals too high you are only setting yourself up for failure which will lead to self deprecation. Stop being so damn hard on yourself and beating yourself up all the time. Set goals within reach and allow yourself to accomplish them. Instead of "lose x amount of weight" maybe change it to "eat healthier and workout more," that way if you don't lose "x" amount of weight, but you become healthier, you don't feel badly about yourself for not meeting an unrealistic goal. Let go of all those crazy unrealistic expectations and set goals you can reach so that you can feel good about yourself.
Say goodbye to anything that doesn't bring you joy.
Honestly, I don't know about you, but in 2018 I just want to get rid of all the shit and all the people who don't make me happy. I don't want to let another year go by doing things with people who don't fill my soul with bliss. Think long and hard about what and who it is who makes you happy, and everything else can be left in the past. If you hate running, don't fucking do it. Find a work out routine that works for you and doesn't make you miserable. Hate your job? Fucking quit. Follow your heart, find what you love and just do it. Don't stray from the things that make you happy. Whatever made your life shitty in 2017 doesn't need to be brought into 2018. Leave the negativity behind and move forward to embracing a life you love.
Say hello to 2018.
Say hello to the fresh start and promise the new year has in store. Say hello to the endless possibilities that await you and all of the adventures that have yet to unfold. This is your chance to make changes, to reinvent yourself and your life, to do those things you've been putting off. Say hello to new people that will become good friends. Say hello to new experiences and welcome them with open arms. Wonderful things are in store, you just have to put good out into the world and you will receive good things back. Burn the pictures, throw away the scale, forgive yourself, think positively, and be happy. Say hello to self love and acceptance. You have 365 days to fill however you please, don't waste them. However 2017 went for you, good, bad, or somewhere in between, just know that tomorrow night when the ball drops it's all over. The pages are blank, it's up to you to write the next year.
So here we are, on New Year's Eve, ready to say goodbye to 2017 and hello to 2018. This year changed me, it brought out parts of me I never want to see again, it kicked me down. But it also brought me some of the most wonderful people I've ever met, it gave me the courage to try new things, and it showed me the changes I need to make, and that they are possible. Whatever 2017 was for you, I hope that 2018 is even better.
What are you leaving behind in 2017?
Love Always,
Olivia Jane
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