Since starting my blog a little over two years ago from my bedroom in Australia, to travelling the world living out of a suitcase and calling the entire world my home, I have slowly but surely grown to learn that there are things in life you don’t want, just as much as those you do want. I truly believe that knowing what you don’t want and should avoid is just as important as knowing (and chasing) the things that you do want, in order to achieve your own personal interpretation of success in life. So, with that…
The 10 Things you Should Stop Doing This Year
10. Stop wanting
Things. Its an easy trap to get caught up in the act of wanting – wanting more things, possessions, and holding value to them. Over the course of my first year travelling the world solo I have learned that when I stopped wanting things and instead focused my efforts and energy on craving (and seeking) experiences, I achieved much more self growth than I ever would from wanting things.
9. Know where the door is, use it
All too often we find ourselves in a situation we would rather not be in. But also all too often we don’t know what to do in these scenarios and wind up sacrificing our happiness for another’s or for the sake of not having a better solution / the courage to make an exit. Its important to always know where the door is and not be afraid to use it. If someone or something is making you unhappy, change directions and head for the door. Besides,
when one door closes… another one opens.
8. Stop waiting
Make 2015 a year of doing, not just dreaming. They told you to chase your dreams, not just have them.
7. Don’t be a ‘gonna’
More to the point, don’t make plans to make plans or tell people that you’re ‘gonna’ do something. Just do it.
6. Do let people walk away from you
Every so often you will find yourself in the scenario of losing friends or people important in your life. So the saying goes, if you love someone, set them free. If they don’t come back, they were never yours in the first place. Know that its okay to let people walk away from you and don’t be afraid of the consequences. It shouldn’t be your worry and hassle to deal with if it isn’t your decision in the first place. Make peace with the decision of others and learn to accept it.
5. Know when to Give up, but know when to give it one last shot
Sometimes the hardest part isn’t giving up or giving in, but knowing when to do so.
4. Kick the bad habit(s)
It could be related to anything: health, personality, attitude… Whatever it is, if it is bothering you and you want to shake it, make a commitment to do so. Stop doing the things that bother you and start making a commitment to yourself (and yourself only, its important to know that change only occurs when you truly want it), and start making changes today.
3. Stop comparing yourself
One of the hardest achievements in many of our lives is to stop comparing our achievements and life goals to that of others. Its in our human nature to compare ourselves to others, it is perhaps inherent that we do so… but with a conscious effort and a clear mind + open heart, you can stop comparing yourself to others. When you lift others up, you will undoubtedly find that you also lift your own spirits. Win-win.
2. Don’t try to be someone else, be a better you
When making New Years Resolutions it can often be quite easy to determine that you ‘need’ to be a better person and set out on a conquest to be that person. But the fact that you are trying to be a better person unlike yourself should send off red warning signs. You don’t want to be a better person, you want to be a better you. Never forget that your qualities are matched by your quirks, sometimes they just need reshaping and a little redirection… not changing completely.
1. Don’t rely on others
The most important thing I learned in my year travelling the world solo was to stop relying on others and learn to rely only on myself. Because this has been the biggest life lesson for me to date, I cannot think of any better advice to give to my friends around the world when coming into the new year. Whether it be by taking a solo trip somewhere in the world or any other act of self reliance, learning to rely on yourself can be one of the most refreshing, rewarding and completely invigorating experiences of your life. You’re it!
Over to you. What will you stop doing this year?
Brooke Saward founded World of Wanderlust as a place to share inspiration from her travels and to inspire others to see our world. She now divides her time between adventures abroad and adventures in the kitchen, with a particular weakness for French pastries.
