2018 Will Be The Best Year Of Your Life, But Only If You Do These 18 Things

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1. Put Yourself First

You can’t take care of others, if you don’t take care of yourself first. If you want 2018 to be the best year of your life, you need to translate loving yourself in actions not just in words. Teach yourself to stay focused on your own personal growth and goals in life. Make time out of your week to take care of yourself. And do the things that make your soul, heart and body feel good.

2. Give Of Yourself To Others

Don’t be stingy with your money or time. Volunteer when you have time. Donate when you can. A small act of kindness makes the world a better place. Share some of your time with those who matter in your life. When you’re with others, be present. Listen. Pay attention. Be compassionate.

3. Embrace Change

2018 cannot be the best year in your life if you don’t accept things for the way they are. You don’t have to be okay with it, you just need to direct your energy to the things that you have control over. Welcome change into your life because it’s all about perspective. You lose some, and you gain some.

4. Commit To Your Own Happiness

Happiness is an inside job. You can have everything that you’ve ever thought you need in 2018 and still be quite miserable. Decide for yourself what happiness is to you. Make it a part of your daily routine. And remember that at the end of the day, happiness is a choice, a decision, and a commitment.

5. Practice Gratitude

Start a gratitude journal. Pray every night. Do whatever works for you. Show people how much you appreciate them. The magical effect of practicing gratitude is its ability of transforming your life.

6. Stand Up For Yourself

Live an authentic life in the sense that you are true to yourself. Ask for the things you want in your relationships. Call people out when they disrespect you. Address situations when someone disrespects and undervalues you. Say no instead of saying yes to please others. Don’t lower your standards to be likable or accepted by others.

7.  Be Kind To Others

You don’t need a reason to be kind to someone. Go out of your way to make someone’s day better. Draw a smile on a stranger’s face. Compliment others. Make people around you feel good. Offer to help and don’t expect anything in return.

8. Be Patient

Allow things to take their natural course. Don’t be too pushy when it comes to relationships because you could sabotage a beautiful thing before it happens. The best things in life take time but they happen to those who create instead of wait. So, teach yourself to be graceful in your patience.

9.  Define Your Priorities

Differentiate between what’s urgent and what’s important, the things you need and the things you want, who you see a future with and who you’re wasting your time on, what you enjoy and what you really don’t like.

10.  Own Your Responsibilities

Don’t wait for others to do the things that you need to do because your life depends on you not them. Pay your bills. Look after your things. Get shit done. And always take care of yourself.

11.  Become Physically Fit

Get out of the house. Allow your body movement to feel alive. Go to the gym, sign-up for a fitness class, go on a run, take a boxing class, swim, attend a salsa dance group. Pick a physical activity that you enjoy.

12.  Make Mistakes

2018 cannot be a great year for you if you don’t face your fear of messing-up. Making mistakes is not about making stupid, irrational decisions, it’s about learning and growth. Some mistakes turn out to be one of the best things you have ever done. Some mistakes lead you to the place you belong to. And some mistakes make you realize your worth, what you’re capable of and what life’s all about.

13.  Live A Balanced Life

To make 2018 the best year in your life, you need to master the art of balance. Don’t feed your body more than it needs. Don’t get too attached to people and don’t withdraw from them. Don’t let go too soon or hold on for too long. Don’t talk too much when you need to listen and don’t silent yourself when you need to speak. Don’t settle for passion or love, settle for both.

14.  Push Yourself Out Of Your Comfort Zone

Expose your mind to new ideas, concepts and ways of doing things. Try something that you wouldn’t usually do. Face a fear of yours that will boost your confidence. Take risks when it comes to your love life. Surprise yourself every once in a while.

15.  Heal Yourself

Maybe you’re damaged. Maybe you’re broken. Maybe you’ve got daddy issues. Maybe you’ve got toxic tendencies. Whatever shit you’ve got going on, work through it. Ask for help. Healing is difficult, uncomfortable and complicated. But, once you start your journey of healing yourself, you’ll get to experience the gift of being alive.

16.  Be Your Own Best Friend

Give yourself the pep talk you need others to tell you. Appreciate your own beauty and quirks. Believe in yourself when no one else does. Treat yourself the way you would your best friend. And be your person. Work on the relationship you have with yourself because it’s the most important one you’ll ever have, it’s the bridge between you and the rest of the world, and without it, 2018 is going to be just another year.

17.  Change Someone’s Life

You don’t need to give someone a million dollars to change their life. You can leave a lasting impact on someone’s life by simply being their friend in need. You can change someone’s life by showing them what real love is. You can make someone’s life different by accepting them for who they are. In 2018, you can change someone’s life by starting with yourself first.

18. Let Go Of 2017

Forgive yourself. Forgive your parents. Forgive your friends and past lovers.  Let go of those who are wrong for you. Let go of the things that are not meant for you. Let go of the bad memories and focus on making good ones in the year to come. Let go of 2017, and welcome 2018. Thought Catalog Logo Mark

An Arab at heart. A writer in the making. A unicorn wannabe.

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