Of everything that make a year worth remembering, it is the lessons that serve as stepping stones to becoming who we are meant to be that stay with us longest.
2022 had a few of these that have become the foundation for 2023.
Acknowledging things for what they are
By default we are always judging things and situations we’re in. When we do that it becomes hard to see things as they are. We begin to believe opinions of ours and others to be the actual truth. Sooner or later the line between what’s real and what’s not becomes faint and that’s treading into dangerous territory.
To not let my opinions, biases and others’ opinions cloud my judgement, I take a deep breath, maybe sleep over it and then, when am calmer, it gets easier to detach myself from the situation in question.
When we’re detached, we see things as they are.
This also works when it comes to bringing changes in myself. Acknowledging there is a problem takes courage. But when we do that, almost half the problem is solved. Because only when I acknowledge there’s a problem will I be able to accept myself with my flaws and then go about understanding what changes I can bring.
Surroundings and how we show up matters
I came across this thought that drew an analogy between our surroundings and mindset. A cluttered surrounding is synonymous to a cluttered mindset and vice versa. I found that to be quite true after experimenting a little.
Keeping clutter minimal at home, my room, my desk and even my social media feed and email has done wonders. We’re always hanging around in these places. Shouldn’t we look at something pleasing then?
As someone who is currently working from home and also spends a lot of time on social media, I made it a point to keep a check on the above.
Secondly, if my surroundings matter, how I show up to myself and others matters as well. Muma always said we should dress up in a pleasing way even if we’re just hanging out at home on a lazy weekend. Dressing in a presentable way and keeping my space pretty too, directly influences my mood and confidence.
Know how my day went
Even if it was a simple day, documenting what happened, how I felt, what I did (as detailed as you want it to be) has helped me understand how I spent my time, what my reactions were to situations, what my moods were like and so on. It basically makes me more aware and documenting always helps us in course correction too, where needed.
Memento Mori
A Latin phrase meaning ‘Remember, you must die’, Memento Mori is an artistic trope acting as a reminder of our mortality. Largely used in Stoic philosophy, this reminder is sometimes all we need to take that step towards change.
How differently would we live if we really knew our days are numbered. We would think twice and make significantly more conscious choices.
We don’t talk enough about death. It has a sense of dark fear and gloom attached to it. This fear doesn’t let us grieve losses at times too. All that when death is in fact inevitable. Maybe it’s time we start looking at death differently. Mortality should in fact inspire us to live life to the fullest…
Take action
…which brings me to the next point- taking action. Realizing we are mortal and moments are fleeting could definitely push us to take action. If we knew time is limited, if we knew that the next minute is not promised, we’d be taking action, designing a life we love, being our best selves…
Say yes to what matters
…which is exactly what I want to be in 2023, by taking action and saying yes to what truly matters, eliminating what’s not needed.
Do more of what you love, and you won’t need to restrict yourself from things that are bad for you. They’d automatically drift away, making room for what matters!
This blog post is part of the Let’s Say Hello 2023 Blogging Activity hosted by Swarnali Nath.
The Literary Affair 
Journaling is something that I swear by and I am feeling so happy that more and more people are following this practice. Another brilliant thought is not to let your judgement overshadow another person’s thought. Loved it
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Thank you Rakhi! Have a great year ahead.
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What a lovely post. Truly loved it. Thats exactly what I follow on daily basis. And believe me have seen its positive effects on my overall web being. “Memento Mori” reminds me of one Hindi poem that I recent read – “काश ज़िंदगी एक किताब होती” . Happy New Year to you and I am sure, with these hacks your days are sorted.
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Shayad zindagi ek kitaab hi hai 🙂 Thanks Alpana. Hope you have a fab year too.
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Dear Leha, your words are my healer. Whenever I come here, I take away some gems with me. This piece is like a lyrical narrative of a wise woman (read cat, please, wink wink), who has travelled a far road in life’s journey and contemplating her thoughts to share her wisdom with us. Memento Mori is something that fuels our energy to achieve our goals and live life to the fullest without any regret. You have always been my inspiration to see life in the rear view. What a lovely wrap-up piece. Wishing you a year filled with hope, love, and peace. Happy 2023!
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Hehe, I did read it as (Cat) Thanks Swarnali. You made me smile! I hope you have a superb year too.
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Thanks for such a lovely post Leha, your words have a very unique power of bringing freshness to the reader’s mind. Loved your post
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Hi Leha. I loved your introspective take on the new year. I’m carrying Memento Mori home with me and it will be one of my mottos from now on. Have a great 2023.
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Thank you Sonia:) Happy that Memento Mori is one of your mottos too!
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You, my dear, are an inspiration. I love your joie de vivre and your maturity beyond your years. Yes, even I have accepted mortality and realised that we waste so much time whining. We need to accept and move on. Live each moment as time is running out. I am acting on every opportunity that comes my way. I wish you a glorious 2023, Leha. And yes, I see you are grooming yourself well and you look outstanding. Never ever neglect yourself. God Bless you.
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I truly see that strength in you, Harjeet. You’re amazing and your dedication towards your creativity is so motivating. Thank you so much for your wishes. I hope you have a wonderful year!
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Dear Leha, it is always such a pleasure to read your posts. Sometimes, especially when there is a poem in your posts, I can almost say you read it aloud.
Anyway coming to this post, I think there are quite a few points that I agree with you. I cannot abide clutter, and lately, I have realised that dusting or decluttering helps me clear my thoughts if I get stuck in a story or post.
Momento Mori is such a lovely concept. It reminds us time is short, and valuable, we need to cherish it more.
Wishing you a happy and fruitful 2023!
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Harshita, thanks so much for such thoughtful words. I am so glad you find my poetry a joy to read. Dusting or organizing is something I do when am stressed/confused too. It keeps me moving and that really helps as you said 🙂
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Very well conceived post Leha, I gave quite a few takeaways and the fact that clutter free surroundings make a clutter free mind is a worthy reminder and yes I show up myself, I dress up and sit on my desk to work in designated hours even if I have less work. It helps , loved the sensible post.
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You have so much discipline and devotion Roma, so inspiring 🙂
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Such profound thoughts. Totally agree with you surroundings do affect our mindset. Mindful living goes a long way. Kudos to your beautiful writing, Leha.
Sreeparna
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Thank you Sreeparna, hope you have a fantastic year!
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What an inspiring post. I loved reading it and yes! We should say yes to what matters to us. I think in the hustle bustle of life; we forget to produce ourselves but we can change it too if we make up our mind. All the best!
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Thanks for reading Radhika, hope you have a good year!
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I loved how you brought in the mortality aspect to inspire us to live well and make conscious choices. My take away is Memento Mori and even living clutter free is one of my resolution this year . A lovely post, Leha ,on introspection and analysis of what corrective action one needs to take !
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Thanks Chinmayee, glad ‘living clutter free’ is on your list too. It truly brings so much peace.
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Journaling is something that I recommend to all my clients and I also follow very diligently. Such a lovely post Leha. Loved your fighting spirit
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Thanks Suhasini! Wow I did not know you recommend journaling. That’s lovely.
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We automatically judge, Memento Mori, creating distance to see the correct perspective and saying yes to what matters…. Such poignant points all. Memento Mori is something new and will definitely stay with me. Wishing you a fulfilling 2023
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Thanks so much Deepika! Glad you found it insightful.
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Do more of what you love, and you won’t need to restrict yourself from things that are bad for you. They’d automatically drift away, making room for what matters! This is awesome and this post has reminded me to believe it is writing that I got to be consistent about to be the self I want myself to me.
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So glad you got that perspective, Sivaranjini! Happy writing this year 🙂
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I liked all these life hacks, Leha. I agree that dressing up and keeping your surroundings clean make your mind also the same. The idea of documenting your day’s situations and reactions is a great way to evaluate yourself.
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Thank you Geethica 🙂
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Leha, this is a beautiful post summarizing everything one needs to follow for a simple, happy life. Decluttering our spaces – mental and surroundings indeed works wonders, especially in difficult situations allowing us to ponder and heal. Memento Mori is a wonderful concept! Thanking you for teaching me something new. Life is all about perspectives and now I understand, even death if viewed differently sparks positivity in our living moments. Thank you for sharing this article. Wish you a very happy new year Leha.
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Dear Leha, your posts are always a pleasure to read. The thoughts that oozes out from your posts are so profound and matured. Loved the pointer ‘ say Yes to what matters’ taking this home as I need to practise this more in 2023. Wishing you all the very best in 2023!!
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Thank you so much 🙂 I hope you say yes to a lot of amazing things this year!
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Your thoughts and words are always so precise and measured, Leha. There are many takeaways from this post. I too have noticed that tidy surroundings and dressing tidy truly changes our outlook. And yes, what matters should always be given acceptance.
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Precise and measured- love this compliment. Thanks Varsha 🙂
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Being mindful about our actions and focusing on the things that matter to us are such thoughtful resolutions. Thankyou for sharing these pointers. I hope you have fulfilling new year!
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I hope you have a good one too 🙂
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Beautiful thoughts. Much to take away from your post. Decluttering is a plan I have for every year – but haven’t succeeded at that yet – but totally agree that decluttering both your mind and the space around you make a huge difference.
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Hope you get a chance to try it too:) Thanks for reading.
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Do what you love. I get so impressed whenever I read your posts. we have to accept the fact that change is needed and only if we like to. Lve reading your post.
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Thanks, Sadvika. Glad you stopped by.
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Loved your instrospective year end post, Leha. There’s so much clarity and wisdom which gives a lot of takeaways for its reader. Thank you for writing and enlightening us. Wishing you a beautiful 2023!
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Thanks so much, Tina. Your words mean a lot 🙂
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Not letting your biases cloud your judgment is difficult but essential for objective perceptions of reality. This is a nice post.
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Absolutely. Thank you 🙂
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Lovely post Leha! 🙂
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Thanks Sandhya for stopping by
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