5 Things I’m Leaving Behind in 2018

2018 has come to an end and I truly can’t believe it. Wasn’t it just July? The time has just flown by. I was pregnant for a majority of it and the best person came into my life. I really can’t believe how fast time keeps going by and just leaving us to be a little shocked the year is over. 2018 definitely brought some great changes and taught me multiple lessons.

I’m glad that I can say that I’ve left each year with a new lesson. Not only a lesson but an experience that I can look back on. My son’s birth and first holiday season definitely rounded out the better half of my year. I would say his arrival was all I needed after months of waiting on my little present.

The beginning of the year, I was blessed with a few sponsorship opportunities which were bigger than what I usually do. I was able to work with brands that I have been using for months so that was great. In the middle of the year, I got a raise and celebrated Cannon with family and friends. I didn’t do much traveling as I wanted but I was pregnant and didn’t want to leave my bed, anyways,

Although the year was great, there are always things that need to change.

There will always be things that I will look back on and question why I did or didn’t do something. I think that’s why I leave each year with a lesson and more knowledge on something that needs to be fixed or changed. I’m lucky enough to blessed with many things and I have to be able to change and better myself.

To kick off 2019, I want to talk about what I’m leaving behind (as I’m working on my resolutions/intentions for the year).

Being talked over

This has been something I’ve picked up on since entering the corporate world. For some reason, people like to speak over me and avert that to me being soft-spoken. I’m not the type of person to yell my thoughts, I use an inside voice, unlike other people. But, it bothers me especially when I’m speaking and I’m interrupted without an excuse me or apology. It’s rude, to be honest. Especially if we work together and are in a meeting where there is a ton of time to be talked through.

So yes, no more talking over Brittnee. That is being left in 2018. Some would say it’s being more assertive, I just say I’m going to speak louder and make sure the attention is on me. People assume you don’t talk much or need to be more confident but sometimes, it’s that one person in the group that is hogging all the time. I do feel that I was once quiet but I’m pretty vocal these days. Please don’t interrupt me or I’ll have to hit you with the side-eye.

Toxic relationships

There aren’t too many toxic relationships in my life but I refuse to let them back in, in 2019. I’ve cleansed my life of toxic people for the most part. In this situation, I just have to take notice of certain situations and remove myself from them. Some people don’t realize how negative their behavior can be and how it affects other people. Keeping toxic relations is damaging to one’s mental health. The last thing anyone wants in their life is a toxic relationship. I’m talking about those people that manipulate and won’t let you grow as a person. You don’t need the person that belittles you or doesn’t support anything that you do. Listen, you deserve the best and if that requires letting go of the dead weight, do it.

We have to remember that our mental health and emotional state determine how much we can take. If you can’t take that person anymore, it’s time to let it go. It can be hard, I’ve realized that but I realize I like myself better when those type of people aren’t around. Say no to toxicity in 2019? Let’s do it.

Biting my tongue

It’s good to know when and where a conversation should take place. I’m very good at holding back what I truly want to say and I’m going into 2019, saying just a bit more. For myself, it applies in situations where people are mocking or questioning my decisions. Especially when it comes to Cannon. I had some people upset that I asked that they have a flu shot and DTaP if they wanted to see him before his first round of vaccinations. So, I bit my tongue because I’m too nice but when it comes to my son, I can’t be too nice. People will take advantage of any situation and I refuse to let someone compromise his health. Becoming a mom has taught me that I can’t bite my tongue.

When it comes to my child, I need to be very vocal. I need to let people know if something is going to fly or not. It’s important that people don’t take advantage of a situation or think something is okay because one did not speak up. I can’t carry a torch of letting people get away with things – not when Cannon is involved. My mouth will be moving with sounds coming out when I need to share.

Clutter

This is probably on everyone’s list. Why would you not get rid of the things that you don’t need? I get that it’s hard to part with some things but a lot of the time, it has to go. You have to let go and I have to let go.

With Cannon coming along, I’ve realized how much junk I have in my home. I don’t use half of it so why keep it? I’m letting all the clutter from clothes, shoes, old furniture, thoughts, etc. go. It is not useful to me anymore and I need to let it go. Does anyone else have a hard time getting rid of things? Everyone is currently on an organization purge but I truly don’t know how to organize things without buying something new to organize the stuff. The clutter has to go, there is no more room for it in my life.

Future Fear

The number one thing to leave behind in 2018 is the fear of the future. I’m a planner so I like to know about things ahead of time but with the future, you just never know. That’s what I hate about the future. Anything can happen and you don’t know nor do you have the time to plan around it. But, I have to let that mindset go. Things happen, people change, live evolves and I just have to accept that I have to go with the flow. The small things I get fearful or paranoid about, I need to manage better.

You can really keep up with the future or control it. That is something I’m learning and I have to accept. I’m going to try better this year by just going with the flow and letting life happen.

2018 wasn’t terrible. It was pretty great if you think about all the wonderful things that happened to me.

Cannon was and is the best thing to come out of 2018. I learned so much about myself and my body and how great women are. Being pregnant brings on a whole new mindset and being a mother is like being a new person. I don’t know what life was life before Cannon. Honestly, I can’t remember what it was like before him and I don’t want to.

Here’s to 2019. May it be the best year yet for myself and everyone!

What are some things you are leaving behind in 2018?