... Lord have mercy! Mmm mmm mmm, today drained me!!! 😫 - Marlo Hampton.

2022 was a tough year. I’d be lying if I said otherwise. Somehow I've made it through (barely, but surely 🙏🏾).

I've done some deep reflecting and thought I'd share some transformative takeaways from the very melodramatic, dynamic, unpredictable and arduous year that was ✨2022✨....let's go 👏🏾!

Becoming the truest version of yourself is a journey.

It's not an easy one, but it's worth it. You'll have highs and lows—times when you feel more aligned with who you really are, and times when you don't. It’s in those very moments that we learn the most about ourselves. Every step on the journey helps us align with who we truly are - nothing is wasted. Enjoy this journey—it's yours to own!

You know that feeling when you're in a situation and all of the sudden, something happens that makes you feel like you just can't deal?

It could be something as simple as someone saying something that triggers a memory from your past, or it could be something more complicated, like an entire situation that just doesn't feel safe. Whatever it is, we've all been there.

I've found that when I'm able to address my triggers—whether it's fear of rejection or something else—then there's always something beautiful on the other side of it.

Address your triggers. There are gems, wisdom, and knowledge on the other side of it.

There is strength in understanding, accepting and being at one with your shadow self (your weaknesses, your blindspots etc.).

A harmless man is not a good man. A good man is a very dangerous man who has that under voluntary control. – Jordan Peterson

Your mindset towards money is more important than how much you have. Developing a healthy mindset and practices towards your finances will make you a better steward of them. What’s the point of having millions if you can’t manage it?

Rich people have small TVs and big libraries, and poor people have small libraries and big TVs. – Zig Ziglar

I learnt this the hard way. The extra amount is worth the peace of mind.

Key types of insurance every young adult should consider:

1. Phone/gadget insurance - if you’re buying the item from retailers like Argos/Amazon I would recommend you opt-in for the protection cover they offer.

2. Home/Contents Insurance

3. Health insurance(if you can afford it)

Life can get so busy and demanding, robbing us of any fun or excitement. If you’re struggling to think of hobbies/activities to partake in as an adult, do the following exercise:

• Get a pen and paper and jot down the things you enjoyed in your childhood (this can be activities, events, occasions, vacations etc. - anything that sparked joy for you as a child).

• Think about taking up those activities .. it could be the same, it could be with other people, in a different country, in a new environment.

This is a great starting point for adding some fun into your adult life whilst connecting with your inner child!

Stress management is good, but prevention/elimination is better. Build routines that support stress prevention.

Self-care is essential to staying healthy so that we can get through life's challenges without succumbing to depression or burnout.

Self-care doesn’t always have to be elaborate, it can be as simple as saying “no”, regular therapy, meal prepping ahead of a busy week, slow movement throughout the day, or doing *nothing*.

…my intuition saved me, even before I knew I was in danger - Musings Of A Polymath

I can’t emphasise this enough, trust your gut! The Holy Spirit uses this to speak to us. That voice will never, ever let you down.

Low-quality decisions are made from a place of unrest and/or with a mindset of lack. Make decisions from a place of rest and with a mindset of abundance (not lack).

This has been one of the most impactful principles I've learnt this year. Pastor Mike Todd gave a sermon on “Cuffed to Constant”, which spoke about the importance of rest and it changed my life!

Here are some points that stuck with me:

• You have to apply intentional limitation so you can have rest

• Rest is a gift of God's goodness

• Most of us feel like we need to earn rest instead of living from rest

Don’t put a financial limit on your peace of mind. It’s important to put your mental health first no matter the cost - you won't regret it.

We have to be proactive with our health. Ensure you’re having regular check-ups and blood tests. The body is a great source of information and should be taken seriously.

It is okay to feel numb and not know what to do with your feelings. It is okay to express your emotions by talking to others, writing in a journal, or doing an activity that helps you to process your grief. Allowing yourself to experience and express your grief is important for healing.

One of my favourite quotes comes from Shakespeare's Macbeth. Macduff answers:

I shall do so....But I must also feel it as a man - Macbeth (4.3. 222–223).

Therapy, combined with other mental health resources and self-help practices, has enabled me to gain greater insight into my own identity and make better sense of the world around me.

Realistic optimism is a much healthier approach to managing emotions.

Toxic positivity or positive toxicity is dysfunctional emotional management without the full acknowledgement of negative emotions, particularly anger and sadness - Wikipedia

"Letting go of what you want and radically accepting what is".

Give me a child until he is 7 and I will show you the man - Aristotle, The Philosophy of Aristotle

95% of our life comes from the programs that we get in the first 7 years of existence. Consequently, there are a lot of unhelpful beliefs, mindsets and behaviours that we have carried from our childhood into the present. As adults, it is our responsibility to make conscious & consistent efforts to identify and eliminate them.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honour of kings is to search out a matter - Proverbs 25:2

I found myself dreaming more than ever this year. I’ve always documented my dreams, but this year, I decided to delve into how to interpret them from a biblical standpoint. They serve as a reminder of how kind, loving and creative God is. The depth and mystery of dreams, paired with my curiosity, have given me an insatiable appetite for the supernatural, drawing me closer to God as a result ❤️.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" - Matthew 11:28

Sometimes we just don’t know, and that’s ok 🧘🏾‍♀️.

We can’t outrun pain. It has a sly way of lingering. One decision from a place of hurt can multiply exponentially. The slow, mundane journey of healing may seem ineffective but it will stand the test of time.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the lessons that I learned in 2022. However, it is one that has kept me grounded and focused. I hope that you were able to pick up a gem or two!

Did you resonate with any of the above takeaways? What have your lessons been this year? Feel free to share them with me via social media!