10 Lessons Learned in 2015

Posted on by

64

Lessons learned in 2015

While 2015 is not yet over, one of the NaBloPoMo prompts from last week was all about lessons learned as a child. I, however, feel I have learned more in the last year than any other…

1. Life goals don’t mean anything if you aren’t prepared to work for them. Nothing usually just happens – a dream can only be fulfilled with hard-work, dedication, and often some level of sacrifice.

2. Taking the time to appreciate the little things is often more beneficial than looking at the big picture. While I’m lucky in that I have lots of things to look forward to in the future, I have learned this year to be more aware of a moment as I am living it. Hot bubble baths, cuddles with The Bloke and the cats, a great film, a well-written book or blog post, a beautiful meal, a funny conversation with a friend, a lovely view – they all add up to making an otherwise mediocre day far more special.

3. It is never usually possible to truly know and totally rely on anybody. In most instances, this is not a negative thing – everyone has their own lives and different priorities, and it is important to maintain one’s independence without putting expectations onto others. However, this year in particular I have learned not to rely on others being there, and not assume that I categorically know what someone else is really thinking and feeling.

4. Worrying about something will not fix the problem, and it’s always important to work out how much of the problem is actually within your control before you do anything about it.

5. Things happen for a reason. Over the last year I have been left feeling disappointed when various things have gone seemingly wrong, only to discover that it was actually for the best.

6. Happiness is not something that can be obtained, it just ‘is.’ While many spend their lives in the pursuit of happiness, I am learning instead about the joy of pursuit.

7. Your instincts are your friend and you should trust them. I’ve started to listen to my gut reaction to things far more this year, and have often been proven to be right in doing so.

8. Sometimes, it’s ok to sit down and do nothing by yourself. I know so many people who fill their lives with things just for the sake of doing them, and it exhausts me just thinking about it. Of course, becoming a couch potato is not good either, but taking some time for yourself occasionally provides the opportunity to recharge the batteries.

9. Doing something good for someone else is always a reward in itself, but this year I have been more careful not to be taken advantage of.

10. It is possible to quit your job, change your life and run a half – marathon in just seven months.

What about you guys? What life lessons have you learned this year?

You can also find me on Twitter and Tumblr @suzie81blog, and don’t forget to check out my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/suzie81speaks, my Pinterest page http://www.pinterest.com/suzie81speaks and my Instagram page http://www.instagram.com/suzie81speaks.

64 thoughts on “10 Lessons Learned in 2015”

  1. “Sometimes, it’s ok to sit down and do nothing by yourself.”
    Couldn’t agree more!
    I love my family, but sometimes I miss my “me time”.

  3. “4. Worrying about something will not fix the problem, and it’s always important to work out how much of the problem is actually within your control before you do anything about it.”

    This is a great lesson because sometimes the problem is not as great as you think or there is nothing you can do to change it. Use your energy to fix what you can once you figure out what the real issue is.

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

  6. You have had an awesome and interesting year and your top ten list here is evidence that you now have wisdom beyond your years. This is a really nice list. I wish it was on a poster I could look at every day just to help me keep my head on straight.

  9. A good list. Number 8 in particular chimed with me, as the classic deep introvert. I need to have little pockets of time to myself – to recharge batteries, to allow the voices and ideas bouncing around in my head time to resolve themselves and to just take a step back and see the wood from the trees. I’ve always been at my best working in intense bursts punctuated by periods of rest and reflection.

    • It’s brilliant to get that little time to just be by yourself… I remember something that Sacha Black said earlier in the year about being an introvert in an extroverts body and I’m exactly the same, and I have to do the same things you do…

  10. I go back and forth on No. 5, “Things happen for a reason.” On one hand, I agree there must be some divine plan and our existence must be more than a random chemical reaction (as some claim). On the other hand, there was a battle in World War I – the Somme – were over a million souls fell with no change to the lines. I ask, why do the innocent suffer? Your thoughts, and thanks.

    • Ooh now there’s a blog post in itself. I have leaned more towards things happenening for a reason because of experiences I’ve had over recent times, but yes, you’re right. That’s why i don’t believe in a god, and at times in people.

  11. I have learned that dreams can come true. We moved this spring into a home that has so many details of things I had wished for and prayed for and dreamed of my entire adult life. This home has so many wonderful things I never thought I would actually get to enjoy. I am so grateful. I have also learned that people you meet via blogs are true caring, loving people who I wish I could reach out and hug. You have blessed me beyond measure this year and I am grateful for you. Great piece, once more! DAF

  12. Pingback: A Year of Growth | Afternoon of Sundries

  13. Not as much as you 🙂 Nice insights, BTW. #4 and #6 especially.
    This past week has been a steep learning curve for me. Adult children and their spouses do not want to hear your opinion. Lesson learned: butt out.

  16. I kept saying, “Oh, that one’s my favorite…Oh, no, that one’s my favorite…Wait, that one…” I’ll stop now. They’re all awesome. Three is so very true. And, though it’s good advice, I struggle with number four. Just the way it is. Number nine is so interesting. That is something I have recently learned. Thanks for including it. Cheers.

    • Thanks Sarah! Sorry you hear you’ve had to deal with someone taking advantage of you – I had the same when i realised that someone I thought was a friend had very different intentions!

  17. what a great lesson you have really learnt this year.
    Have also learnt this year that one should never rush into things, because someone is doing something shouldnt make one also do the same, one should always be his/herself.
    It is really a nice post suzie…keep it up

  18. All the lessons I’ve learned this year are hard ones. I would even say painful. But I am an eternal optimist. Instead of looking back I’m looking forward. Maybe that’s the lesson I’ve learned – it doesn’t pay to put your energy into the past. It doesn’t get you anything. Put it into the present, and the future.

    • I’m so sorry to hear that Sarah – it’s lovely to talk to you again as i don’t feel like I’ve seen you around in ages – but I’m sorry you’ve been going through a difficult time… Despite that, you’ve got an amazingly positive attitude – I hope the last part of 2015 is better for you!

  19. First let me say I like ALL of your list – there isn’t one I’d disagree with and maybe my favourite would be your number 2. I emigrated to France exactly a year ago this week and I reckon I’ve learned a LOT (not least how to have a conversation in French) . There’s a saying here which I think is close to your paying attention to the little everyday things – “l’émerveillement du quotidien” – roughly, the wonder (marvel, or amazement) of the every day. I try to live my life by that one!
    Some others would include
    1. learning to be polite – EVERYONE says “bonjour” before they start into anything else – at the supermarket checkout, at the petrol station, in a tourist information office, even teenagers in the street say “bonjour” as they pass! It seems such a wee thing but it sets a tone. I like it!
    2. learning to be patient – the French love to chat, so in a queue, say, at the Post Office, or at a market stall, the person being served will be treated as if there is all the time in the world, and might be asked how their children are doing at school, or if that sick relative is making a good recovery. The other people in the queue don’t huff and puff and get irritated, they just wait. We’ll each get our turn
    3. Slow down. Maybe that is influenced by the first two I’ve mentioned, but it’s absolutely my best lesson this year. Slow down, take your time, be fully present, and fully savour what you are seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, experiencing. One of the villages near here is part of the “Cittaslow” movement – check it out sometime!
    I’ll stop there! It’s your blog, not mine 😉

    • Thanks Bob! I love it when comments are almost as long as the post itself – they’re really interesting! I studied A Level French and thought that I could get by in conversation, that is, until I went to France. Seven years of studying the language and all I could remember was ‘a lemonade, please,’ and something rude that a French teacher friend taught me once… I bet where you live is beautiful – I wish I had the guts to make such a move!

  22. My last year has been an example of, a la your #5, seemingly bad things turning into really great ones. I hope I can remember this the next time something “terrible” happens. It’s opportunity disguised as something uglier.

  24. Trusting my gut instinct has been a big one for me this year but also feeling the dear and doing it anyway especially with our imminent big move to Cornwall. I realise how much I have let fear hold me back so hoping the move will be the start of me pushing myself out of my comfort zone a lot more!

Comments are closed.