5 Things I am No Longer Worried About in 2023
This is Growth!
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Happy New Year!
I took an unplanned break from writing in December 2022. It’s not that I didn’t want to write, it’s that I couldn’t. Every time I opened my laptop, I stared at a blank page for hours. They call it writer’s block and it was the first time I experienced it.
Anyways, thank you so much for your patience. I’m here now and this time with a post about things I’m no longer worried about in 2023. Happy reading :)!
There comes a point in time when we inevitably reevaluate our life: how we want to live it, who we want to share it with, and what we want to be doing. 2022 was that year for me.
My life was turned upside down mid-2021 with the loss of my mother. For the first six months after her death, I didn’t have the energy or the willpower to figure my life out.
Then came 2022 and with it, I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. At first, it was the simple things that made me feel like myself again: a smile from a loved one, a really long hug from a friend, an episode or five of Friends, and a warm bowl of oatmeal porridge.
However, it was during this time that I started to notice that I would never really be the same. A core part of me had changed and fighting that transformation was both exhausting and painful. So, I chose to embrace it.
Turns out, there’s a name for what I was going through. Psychologists call it Post Traumatic Growth and it’s what happens when negative experiences spur positive life changes. Of course, I would have preferred to skip the trauma, but we can’t control what happens to us, only how we react to it.
I am a different person today — different in ways that feel good, that make me better, that make me me. The trivial things that used to worry me in the past are no longer at the top of my priority list, and my life has become so much more joyful as a result.
As you settle into 2023, I’d like to invite you to rethink, relearn, and reconfigure your life. What are some of the things that you’ve historically focused on that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things? What do you tend to worry about that you shouldn’t? What could you do to live a more authentic and happy life?
As you think about what those things are for you, I’d like to share my personal growth journey including 5 things I’m no longer worried about. I hope they’ll help shift your perspective like they did mine.
1. Living a picture-perfect life.
Everyone’s life always looks perfect from the outside, especially if social media is all you have to base your opinion on. Admittedly, there was a time in my life where I was more concerned with living a picture perfect life even when it didn’t feel good. Lesson learnt. A messy looking life that feels amazing is better than a picture perfect life that feels terrible. Dance awkwardly, dress boldly, sing loudly, and take yourself out on a date. Don’t worry about strangers staring at you, they stare at everyone ;).
2. Fitting in.
Fitting in is not the way to build a community — belonging is. Find people who you don’t have to change everything about yourself for and stick with them. You don’t need to ask for permission to show up as your authentic self. Just show up as you and whoever wants to stick around, will stick around ;).
3. Whether or not people like me.
Listen, we’re social beings and we want to be liked. It’s part of being human. But, if you’re always wondering whether someone likes you or not, the answer is probably that they don’t. Instead of focusing my energy on convincing people to like me, I’ve started to focus my energy on the amazing people I already have in my life. I show up for them, I spend time with them, and I support them. It’s a much better use of my time and it makes everyone happy ;).
4. Speaking up.
It’s important to speak up and be brave. The truth is, being afraid to take a stand equals being afraid to make a difference. When we speak our minds and share our perspectives with the world, we’re directly impacting those around us and indirectly impacting hundreds and thousands of others. I’m no longer worried about speaking my mind and I am excited to continue to express my ideas, respectfully and thoughtfully ;)
5. Taking risks.
A fulfilling life involves taking a few risks here and there. You have to be willing to try something completely new out, to look stupid while you’re actually learning, to start from scratch. In 2022, I finally had the guts to make a few life changes that I had been holding off because they were risky. In reality, all the hours I spent not going after what I want and need were wasted. Take risks, it’s the way to make the most out of your life ;)
As you settle into 2023, I wish you a brave heart, an adventurous mind, a healthy body, and a daring spirit. You don’t have to lose a loved one to make the most out of your life. You can start taking small steps today to get closer to who you want to be.
I wish you tons of success and less worries in 2023 and beyond.
Keep growing!
Imma
Imma Baradyana is an international technology professional, storyteller, and aspiring motivational speaker who writes about her personal, professional, and academic experiences. Each of her stories includes actionable advice and tips that are designed to help you along your journey.
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