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Reclaiming My Everything in 2018!

Usually, I don’t bother making New Year’s Resolutions. Why? Because it’s difficult to remember and follow through. I have made ONE resolution for 2018: Live Life to the Fullest. I am reclaiming my everything.

So what does it mean to reclaim my everything? I’m glad you asked. There are certain things that can get lost throughout the year. Therefore, I will reclaim each and every one of them throughout 2018. Should you (or I) find myself losing one, come back here, and reclaim everything.

Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking on the link(s). Understand that I have experienced this company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.

Reclaiming My Peace & Mind

I tend to allow myself to become stressed and overwhelmed. It takes a lot to get me to that point, but it’s because I stockpile the things that tend to do so. In 2018, I plan to spend more time focusing on me, my mental health, and my happiness. My goal is to find peace with myself, my decisions, and with the environment around me.

Before/after changes and life events, I find myself struggling with anxiety and everything that comes with anxiety. My attitude and mood swings go all over the place. I sometimes struggle with not succumbing to anxiety attacks, it’s really nothing to play with. However, I will not continue to give anxiety this much power over me. Under the umbrella of my one resolution, I hope to spend more time giving myself care. I hope to spend more time following my own advice on handling stress like a boss.

My mind will stay focused on growing. I plan to spend more time reading and learning more. I will be going to grad school hopefully in Fall of 2018. Keep in mind that stimulating your mind goes beyond going back to school. Though as an educator, I will always encourage education. It’s never too late to go for that degree. You can start your business. You can put your children through school. Go for that dream job with that dream company. Learn from the things around you, people around you, and through everything. Reclaim your mind, and focus on the things that better you.

Reclaiming My Adventure

I have set a goal (not a resolution) for myself in 2018. The goal is to take a vacation (whether grand or small) every month. Some months the vacation may be a staycation, and I am okay with that, too. I am planning a Disney vacation for my mommy, my niece, and myself. It’ll be the first time my niece goes to Disney World, and it will be a quick, but lavish/exciting weekend get-away. The goal is to go the weekend before Thanksgiving. We will beat the heavy Thanksgiving crowd, AND still get to experience Mickey’s Verry Merry Christmas Party.

I, also, under this category, have made it a plan to visit another country that I have never been. (For this, I am thinking a trip to our neighbor, Canada.) I live in Houston, Texas, so I plan to get a room and enjoy a staycation here around town. Additionally, I plan to visit a couple of other states. (A post is coming soon regarding my planned 2018 adventures.)

On the other hand, it is important to note that adventure extends beyond traveling. An adventure includes trying new things and stepping outside of your comfort zone. Make it a point to do something outside of your usual routine. Try new restaurants and new activities around your town. Watch new movies. Make new friends and associates. If you’re miserable at your job, find somewhere else to work that makes you happy. Are you used to walking away from problems, learn to deal with them. Do you find yourself always saying no? Follow Shonda Rhyme’s advice and make 2018 your Year of Yes. (This is a wonderful read by the way.)

Reclaiming My Relationships

When people think relationships, they only consider dating/ engagement/ marriage. Well, to me, relationships are beyond significant others. Relationships are with family, friends, associates, peers, etc. For this, you do not even have to wait for the new year. Start now.

Reach out to that relative that you fought with, and mend that broken relationship. Don’t continue to be upset with your friends/ loved ones for how they hurt you. Forgive them and move on. Forgiveness is never for them, it is always for you. Reclaim your relationships with others. Do not allow bitterness to continue to live in your heart. Let it go, and I promise life gets easier.

Reclaiming My Faith & Hope

This is not to say that I have lost my faith. Sometimes, it becomes easy to doubt, second-guess, and take matters into our own hands. It becomes easy to view the glass as half-empty instead of half-full. No more! The glass will, and should, always be half-full. Faith transcends all religious beliefs, it’s learning to hope for the best, even when you feel like you should expect the worst. I realize that everyone is not religious. However, exercising faith can be done by everyone. Faith is having an expectation of things to work in your favor. (Yes, even when you feel like everything can and will go wrong.)

Reclaiming My Finances & Credit

It should be mandatory to take financial/ credit classes during the high school senior year or college freshman year. Parents should make it a point to explain the importance of great credit… not good credit, but great credit. They should show the downsides of having okay and bad credit. My mother tried to teach and warn me, but I went into a downward spiral beginning my freshman year of college.

I turned 18, got a credit card in my name, kept up the payments, then decided to apply for more credit cards. I got a car note that I was not equipped to handle, and let my credit skydive. Granted, my credit is still a lot higher than a lot of others, but it’s not high enough to do whatever I want. 2017 kicked off my credit repair drive, and I will continue working on improving my credit score in 2018.

What will you reclaim in 2018?

What are some of the things that you want to work on in the new year? Let me know in the comments below. Happy New Year!

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Comments

  1. I have been a ball of stress this year so the section on reclaiming your faith really spoke to me. I need to learn to relax and hope for the best instead fo expecting the worst.

    Reply

    • Absolutely! A little hope and faith go a long way… believe me. I hope that things work out for you in the new year 🙂

      Reply

    • Thank you! You definitely should. I believe that working hard should equate to a little reward. Even if it’s a getaway for a day, it will be well-deserved.

      Reply

  11. I love that you included travel in your goals! It’s what I blog about, so I am a bit biased I suppose, but I’ve found that when I leave enough time to getaway, I can find balance in other areas of my life. Less stress! Happy 2018!

    Reply

    • Absolutely! Someone once asked me why I like to travel so much, and I told them that it’s my escape from my current reality. It allows me to step away, refresh, and come back even better. Happy Holidays! 🙂

      Reply

    • Absolutely! Some people believe that it is excessive, but I believe that it is necessary and accessible. Happy Holidays!

      Reply

    • Thank you so much! Yes, I did not want to use claim but used reclaim instead, because they are things that I have already had. It’s important to focus on the tools that I already have and to refine them.

      Reply

  14. Shoot, I’ve definitely lost a grip on all of these things in 2017 too! It’s nice to know that I’m not facing all of those things by myself. Thank you for opening up about this 🙂

    Reply

    • Absolutely! Part of my life’s purpose is to share my story, uplift, motivate and speak out for others. Even by it helping one person, I feel accomplished. Thank you! Happy Holidays!

      Reply

  16. Love this! I definitely want to reclaim my time ! Besides that, I want to start off strong with a clean slate in every aspect of my life. I’m going to continue to write out monthly goals because it seems to work better for me!

    Reply

  17. I noticed today that my “recent emojis” were all pretty negative, eyes rolling or angry faces and thought, I need to revamp my mindset so I totally understand where you’re coming from. Also, if you have room for one more at Disney, count me in! 😉

    Reply

    • There’s always room for one more :). I would never have considered looking at my recent emojis, but half of mine are pretty negative, too. I will have to work on that.

      Reply

  18. This is such an inspiring post. I, too, do not have resolutions. This last week of the year, I am reflecting on the year as a whole and setting goals.

    Reply

    • Finances are always a great thing to get in order. It’s never too late, and it is always something that can be maintained and improved.

      Reply

  20. This post is for anyone who is looking for inspiration. I don’t bother to make New Year’s resolution as well, but I completely understand reclaiming everything. Peace and mind is number 1 priority.

    Reply

  23. I love this!! I have always picked a word to guide me through the year (and then to kind of focus my goals/resolutions around) and I LOVE the idea of reclaim. What a good word! I think I would like to reclaim my sense of purpose and my identity…I just had a baby in July and I definitely think I need to integrate who I am now with a baby with who I’ve always been because it feels a little lobsided these days. I also want to reclaim my sense of purpose because for so many years, especially career-wise, it’s just been BLAH and I want to reclaim that for myself.

    Thanks for the food for thought!!

    Reply

    • Wow! First, congrats on the birth of your baby. It’s a blessing to bring life into this world. Also, I love what you are reclaiming, because it is so easy to lose sight of your purpose and identity. God bless you in the new year!

      Reply

  24. I really enjoy this post and instead of resolutions, reclaiming things in 2018! I have many things that got lost throughout last year and I’m joining with you and reclaiming those things this next year!

    Reply

  27. I commend you for writing such a personal post. I don’t think i could be that opened (just yet anyway)! Take good care and i hope your dreams come through in 2018 and beyond!

    Reply

    • Thank you so much! I’m an open book, and if my experience inspires others, then I’m okay with it. Thank you so much! Happy New Year!

      Reply

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