Don't have big dreams for 2021

If 2020 taught me anything, it is to do the exact opposite of writing this piece discussing all my hopes and dreams for a new year.

Like most people, I started 2020 with big plans and goals. But life got in the way. Not the way you would normally expect it to, in that you didn’t have enough money or a family emergency. But instead a global pandemic that locked everyone in their homes. All my dreams to find a job I loved, travel the world, create precious memories with my family and friends, all put on hold. But it taught me that it’s important to live in the moment. And the biggest thing I could take from last year is to not get down when life does inevitably get in the way.

However, that was easier said than done. And spending 24/7 inside four walls with little purpose does start to get on top of you. So while I have decided to not put pressure on achieving my big dreams again this year, I am focusing on the little things that I can adapt in my lifestyle in order to, well frankly, just survive.

The central theme of surviving lies in loving yourself. This comes in many different forms and so gives lots of opportunities to succeed. (The more opportunities we give ourselves for success the better this year)

So these are my tips for a healthy relationship with yourself:

This starts at the beginning of the day. It is easy to waste the day away watching Netflix in your pyjamas and not having a lot to show for it by the time you go to bed. Recognising that there is nothing wrong with this is half the battle. But if you do end up regretting how you’ve spent the day then why not wake up consistently at the same time and have a fresh breakfast fuelling you for the day ahead.

Having eaten the most important meal of the day you are now ready to tick off your to do list. This is where preparation is key. To really make the most of the days it’s good to think ahead the night before what you want to get done. This can be something as little as making your bed. But I hope by now you have realised that nothing really is little and that everything is important in functioning day to day. There is a negativity surrounding to do lists so put on them activities you enjoy, like catching up with you grandparents - make to do lists a positive and satisfying experience, rather than challenging.

A few things you can do during your day to help love yourself is sorting out your surrounding environment and make sure it is clean and accessible. This makes way for a whole new level of self love because you can access the books you want to read for 30 minutes every day. Or the face masks for when you want a self-care evening. And remember, a tidy room is a tidy mind.

That takes me on to the next important factor of loving yourself. Being in touch with what you are thinking and feeling. As a writer, I love exploring my emotions through writing them out whenever I feel they are overwhelming me. And 2021 is the year we want to make sure these feelings don’t overwhelm us, especially with the global situation we find ourselves in. Talking about our emotions should not be embarrassing, it lightens the burden and even sorts the problem by getting others advice. There is nothing wrong with feeling low but what is important is taking action, whether privately or publicly to address it.

To tackle these feelings it is good to have an outlet. Find a hobby that you enjoy. Whether that is exercising (where the benefits are unbelievably rewarding in so many respects), or drawing, or going for a walk to see the sunset. The list is endless and should be explored in the coming months when you are locked away from the rest of the world.

In my opinion, the most important part of loving yourself is treating yourself. This doesn’t always have to be with material things (although I am sure I will take my handbag obsession into 2021 with me), but it could just be a huge, unhealthy takeaway on a Monday night. Every little success deserves to be rewarded or else what is the point? 2020 made us realise that life is short and it can get taken away from us at the blink of an eye, so why not treat yourself after a stressful zoom meeting?

I do believe that 2021 will be the year that I ‘find myself’ - especially because I should be down under finding myself travelling right now on a gap year. And while no one or no pandemic will ever stop me from dreaming. It will stop me from putting unwarranted pressure on myself to achieve a dream within a time frame of a year. Telling myself ‘by next year I want to ...’ is counterproductive when unprecedented times get in the way (yes, I am not proud of myself for saying the word that has defined the UK government's approach!).

2021 is all about achieving those little changes in our lifestyles that make it all bearable and enjoyable. Just because I haven’t been able to travel the world doesn’t mean I can’t be proud of myself for getting out of bed at 7:30.