21 Essential Things I Learned in 2021

Global pandemic chronicles continued: essential lessons of the great 22'

It’s the classic ‘end of the year’ machination time. The time where everyone is oh-so-naturally reflective about the arbitrary span of time we call a year. I’m unashamed to say that I too, have naturally succumbed to the urge.

As much as the über cool folks today scoff at the idea of end of year reflections and new year goals, I think it’s important to have intentional time to reflect and think about how you have spent a stretch of time.

You won’t get it back, after all, and as the drumbeat of time continues to beat, it’s important you maximise our most sacred currency.

So, without further ado — here’s the 21 things I learnt in 2021.

1. Drink your damn water: Hydration is essential. Needless to say, Water keeps you alive and all that jazz. Amidst a global pandemic? Essential. 2–3L a day, not a ml less.

2. Do not adjust the size of your ambitions: Don’t shrink your ambitions due to what the present reality dictates about what is possible. Instead, focus on growing into the kind of person that is capable of sustaining them at that size.

3. Be obsessed with optimisation: Don’t just focus on doing things, focus on optimising. Keep chasing a better workout, a better job role, a better version of you.

4. Prioritise self-education: Make it a priority to learn something new. Whether that be on a daily or weekly basis, through reading, or listening to podcasts, or watching content. Keep educating yourself, always.

5. Prioritise your current relationships…: Platonic, professional, romantic. The whole show. Focus on intensifying and growing these relationships.

6. …but don’t be afraid to water new ones: You may not have met everyone who will love you in this lifetime. Don’t be afraid, if circumstance permits, to water the seeds of new relationships.

7. Go for it. Seriously: Whatever it is you want most. Go for it. There’s nothing stopping you, but you.

8. Start now: Related to number 7, if there’s something in your life you really want to do? You better start taking steps towards that thing. Now. Yes, I mean as you read this article. Start now.

9. Say yes to things that scare you: What makes you nervous? You know, that excited nervousness? Start taking risks and saying yes to things that scare you.

10. Say no to things that scare you: In a similar vein, don’t overlook your gut instinct. If something presented to you doesn’t feel quite right? Take a hard pass. Start trusting yourself more.

11. Take as many opportunities as you can to enjoy: Now, not to encourage full blown out hedonism here, but life is fleeting at best. The fabric of our lives are stitched together with the threads of multiple experiences across time and space. Enjoy the moments as they come. Cherish them.

12. Prioritise yourself: Especially for those of you prone to people-pleasing. It’s about time you started pleasing the first person you met – yourself. What makes you happy? What can you do to show yourself that you are important?

13. Be honest with yourself: Cut out the bs, and be honest with yourself. Your strengths, your weaknesses. Your traumas, the way they manifest. Start looking in the intangible internal mirror, and often.

14. Prioritise exercise: Human beings were never made to be this sedentary. Get up and start moving. Even if it’s daily walks – no need to become an Olympic gold medalist over night.

15. Prioritise great nutrition: No, I’m not advocating going on a ‘diet’ or ‘losing weight’ – just eat more of what is good for your body. More whole foods, more protein, more fruits and veggies.

16. Schedule in moments to slow down: Everyone is so tightly wound up these days. Calendars fit to burst. Be intentional about slowing down.

17. Don’t be afraid to ask for help: You can’t make it alone, and you can’t stitch up an open wound alone, either. Ask for help.

18. Don’t be afraid to articulate what you need: Our loved ones, unfortunately, are not mind readers. This isn’t a romance novel either, where everything is picked up intuitively. State what you want and need – clearly.

19. Stop apologising: Quit saying sorry for things you aren’t sorry for. Quit seeing yourself as a burden. You are not.

20. Show and tell people you love them: And do it often. Life is short. Take no moment for granted. Take every opportunity possible to express love.

21. Express gratitude: You have a lot of good things in your life. It’s okay to be grateful. Write it down, often.

That’s it folks. Well, not really. The list is non-exhaustive – these were the top 21 that came to mind. What else did you learn in 2021 that you’ll be taking with you into the throes of 2022?

Let me know!