And if I could use one word, to sum up 2017, it would be â âinsightfulâ đŽ
Iâve never been one for New Years celebrations hard-core style. I prefer to take the time to reflect, take time out for myself, and go to bed even before midnight if I want to â thatâs just how I roll.
On the final day of 2017, during my long car journey home I reflected on the lessons I learned during the last 365 days, month by month â here are the ones Iâll be bringing with me this year, maybe youâll find yourself in them too đ

1. January â If Youâre A Perfectionist, Use It To Your Advantage
Perfectionism tends to have a bad rep, but last year I learnt this â perfectionism itself isnât the offender; allowing it to run rampant in its extreme form to the point that it jeopardizes your well-being is.
When you learn to embrace it fully and let go, it can truly enhance productivity without compromising the pursuit of excellence.
Ever since realising this, Iâve been on a journey of accepting my inner perfectionist, loving her, and not letting her hold me back FROM making mistakes so I can learn and grow even more along the way.
2. February â Open Room In Your Heart For The Unexpected
The month of âcupidâ. Some of us love it, and some of us hate it. Iâve loved each day single lady or not.
This month can provoke powerful reactions in your heart and is the perfect reminder to cherish yourself and all those who love you back.
How different would life be if you shut the people in your life out and never allowed them the room to walk in? Leave your heart open, you never know what lesson the next beautiful soul you cross paths with is going to open you to.
3. March â Be PlayfulâŚ
âŚAnd do more of what you want, and what feels good to you.
Listen instead of speaking, ask people questions, you never know who you might just be about to connect with, what new experience youâre going to witness in the next few minutes, and the power that is going to have on what happens next.
4. April â Be Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable
Invite the critic to the party. When she keeps calling and calling, let her in and listen to what she has to say.
Observe whatâs going on inside. How does it feel? What thoughts come up? Is there a sinking feeling in the gut? A tightness?
Check-in and listen to non-judgemental awareness and allow it to exist.
When you feel something in your gut, or hear a screaming in your mind â donât ignore it, it will always expose the truth to you eventually.
5. May â Itâs Ok To Say âNoâ
Saying no means making room for more YESSES!
It means putting you and your health first. It means finding out who the true gems are in your life. It means being assertive and confident and having control. It means doing more of what you want to do. It means not being taken for granted. It means having respect.
So if you find it hard to say no â just listen to what you feel on the inside,
Do you WANT to say yes? Or do you want to say NO?
Be true to YOU, and the rest will follow

6. June â Humans Canât Thrive (Or Survive) Without Connection
June marked almost 2 years since I moved away from where I grew up, and I always used to think I was âhomesickâ, but it was confused for something deeper.
It was never actually about âhomeâ â it was about my instinctive human need for love, connection and security.
Find healthy ways to meet your needs and deepen the relationships with the ones around you already.
7. July â Give Yourself Permission To Be Curious
People always preach â âdo what youâre passionate about.â
I preach â be curious. Finding a passion isnât a goal, it isnât a destination, itâs a process.
What makes you tick? What motivates you? What are the values that guide the direction of your life? You figure things out as you go along, not all at once.
And maybe you might discover your passion, or maybe you wonât, at least you can be certain that youâll learn a ton about yourself along the way.

8. August â I Love My Routine And Thatâs Just Fine
Routine is not the enemy.
Routine makes me get out of bed. Starts my day off right and ends it just as well.
It allows me to get stuff DONE.
It keeps my mental wellbeing in a good state.
It helps me be my best self.
It keeps me energised and on top of my game.
And it allows me to have the room to be the spontaneous girl I do like to un-leash and set my creative flame on fire.
It keeps my body moving and sleeping the right amount of hours so I donât feel dead by 11 am.
Loving your routine doesnât mean youâre boring or missing out on the day â It means youâre living a life that works for you and makes you feel great.

9. September â Being Alive Is A GiftâŚ
âŚTake advantage of it!
One thing in life thatâs certain is this â one day youâre gonna die. Weâre all gonna die. I donât mean to be morbid, itâs just fact.
These 3 words are so significant. If youâre not conscious of your own mortality, then how can you attempt to live?
When you take a positive spin on those 3 words, it can move you to do extraordinary things.
I donât want to just go through the motions in life. I donât want to be complacent, stagnant, passive and inactive in this life journey of mine.

10. October â Believe In The Beauty Of Your Words
Because thereâs always someone out there who needs to hear them right in this moment. You donât have to write them for anyone else but you.
The impact on self and others can be life-changing. Whatâs holding you back?

11. November â Everything In Life Happens For You, Not To You
Iâll be open about it. I had and have PTSD, but this year Iâve stepped into calling it something different PTG â Post Traumatic Growth, not stress.
Welcome âpainâ into your home like itâs your best friend and donât allow it not to leave until âpainâ has taught you what you need to know. And then welcome it back in again when youâre ready to learn (and grow) even more, all over again.
There is SO much beauty in pain if you just open up your eyes and see.
To truly heal from pain, we must kiss it and hold it lovingly from its root all the way up.

12. December â Being Vulnerable Is Strength
âŚNot weakness. Drop your mask for it is an unnecessary weight. Replace your hard exterior with one that is sturdy, but tender.
Let people in, connect, your world will feel lighter, even if itâs just a little.
===
I learnt SO much, but Iâll share with you this one thing to sum it all upâŚ
Listen to the lessons this life youâre living is presenting to you, you always have the power to choose what it is you do next.
I cannot wait to embark on a deeper journey with myself this year â 2018 is going to be the year of stepping into my true fierce power and lighting the flame.
What did 2017 teach you?âŚ
Big love to you,
Amy xo
Great post! Happy New Year!
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Thank you Nicki! Happy new year to you too! đ
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Great post! Very reflective and therapeutic feel to it! Bring on 2018.
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Yes! Bring it on! đ
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