My Top 5 learnings from 2022!
"Don't be too hard on yourself. If not 2022, do it in 2023!"
Happy new year everyone. Hope you had a lovely 2022. Sweat not even if you didn’t. Make sure you carry all the good memories with you from 2022 and forget all the ‘not-so-good’ stuff. But do draw some conclusions from it.
As they say – “Those who do not learn from the past are condemned to repeat it”.
So as we enter into 2023, here’s my “Top 5 learnings from 2022”. Hoping that some of them will strike a chord and make 2023 an awesome year for you.
Let’s get started…
1. Health is the biggest wealth
Eat well, Move More, Stress Less, Love More – Dr. Dean Ornish
No wonder this is on top of the list. If there is one thing that the Covid ravaged world has taught us, it is that there is no gift bigger than the gift of good health. We used to take health for granted. Thankfully, not anymore.
And as we enter 2023, let us continue on that streak. Commit time daily to some sort of physical activity. There’s no dearth of options to choose from. Just check Google/Youtube, or read this to get an idea as to what can you do to stay fit.
Some options include walking for 45 minutes, jogging for 30 min, HIIT for 10-15 min, Yoga, gym, a session of your fav sports (Chess, Carrom and board games don’t count). You get the idea.
2. DO NOT read the news
I am a sucker for news and spend half my day scrolling through news on my news app. The only time I do not read the news is when I am travelling – whether for business or for pleasure. And the ‘good news’ is that I don’t miss it at all.
And trust me, neither will you.
It is the FOMO that keeps us going back to news. But all we miss out on when we do not see the news is all the bad stuff out here. That is because negativity sells. Bad news grabs our attention more than good news does. So that is what all news sources – be it TV channels, newspapers, publications etc. show to us.
The consequence? All these news make the world looks like a horrible place to live in, but it is not (I hope Elon Musk reads this). In fact, it is much better than I or anyone can make it look.
Why not find it out for yourselves? Skip the news and spend that time in getting some solid work done instead. And then with the time saved, go out, travel, meet people in the real world and you will realize this earth is goddamn beautiful!
Do not wait to finish this article. Cancel your newspaper subscription, uninstall any news app you have right away (unless you are the owner of the app in which case you may think and take a call on it) and STOP READING NEWS ABSOLUTELY ANYWHERE.
You know what: any news that should be known to you will make its way to you.
3. Travel. As much as you can
Our stay on this planet is limited and flying by swiftly. While the world is big and beautiful. Hence, make the most of your time by going around as much as you can. Nothing can beat the memories you create while travelling and the growth you witness as a person while you do so.
Grab all sort of travel opportunities – be it work related or personal. Everything works.
So do good at your job/business, save enough to travel and then go explore at the first opportunity you get.
4. Stay in touch with your friends and family
Do not forget your friends. While we may not be very good at making friends as we grow old, let us not suck at keeping the old ones going please.
Pick up that phone, call your friend and meet up asap.
Family functions – make sure you attend them. They are more fun than you can imagine (the only time they are not fun is when YOU ARE BORING; so remember to bring your A-game to them).
Re-connecting with cousins, discussing old flames, revisiting old haunts, dancing the night away.
Basically, do not skip any chance to dress up and get together with friends, cousins and family. Thank me later (by later I mean when you are 80 and dressing up to go to one of your annual reunions with your buds)!
5. Do not be too hard on yourself and others
Do not take life too seriously. It is a mayajaal (a sensory trap) meant to be a stepping stone to higher state of being (no, I am not smoking anything as I type this and mean every word written here).
Our purpose here on earth, if any, is to have fun. And that’s that. Nothing more, nothing less. It is all just a game and let’s treat it like that.
Your job stresses you out? Start looking for another one. Been getting bored? Start planning your next travel. Not been feeling your best of late? Start working out (I already asked you to do that).
As Paulho Coelho says in ‘The Alchemist’ – “It is the possibility of a dream coming true that makes life exciting.” So get a dream.
Things that you wanted to do in 2022 but could not, do them in 2023. There’s always a next time.
Well, that wraps up the top 5 learnings for 2022. Some of them will definitely make it to 2023 as well – hehe (I hope, for my own sake, that I do not have to republish this entire blog again in 2024).
The year has just begun and I am excited to see what’s in store this year. Here’s to a rocking, healthy, travel and laughter filled year!
Do share your thoughts and your top learnings in the comments section.
Until next time
– Wow Lifer.
