5 Valuable Lessons Learned in 2023

Kicking off 2024 with 5 Valuable Lessons Learned in 2023! Grab a cup of coffee and let’s chat!

Happy New Year! As I step into 2024, I can’t help but reflect on 2023 and think about the things it taught me. It was a year with its share of highs, lows, and everything in between. I picked up some valuable lessons that I want to carry with me into 2024.

There are certain posts that I love writing for myself—entries that I want to revisit as reminders or memories. This happens to be one of those posts. I’m here to document my reflections and invite you into my little personal space. I don’t know if you’ll resonate with these reflections, but if any of these thoughts strike a chord with you, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

5 Valuable Lessons Learned in 2023

1. Always express your opinions, but do so with respect and compassion

Did you ever realize the way you express yourself holds more weight than the actual content? when you communicate with anger or heightened emotions, people tend to remember how you said it rather than what you said.

I often choose to avoid expressing disagreement or frustration, preferring to end arguments or conversations even though the other person misunderstands me. While it might be a good choice at times, depending on the person you are talking to. But if it’s someone you work with or a friend or family member, this can establish a pattern of mistreatment. I’m actively working on speaking up more. It’s a journey, especially for someone sensitive like me. Controlling my emotions in moments of anger, upset, or frustration is difficult, but I’m learning to handle these conversations with emotional control and assertiveness.

Always put your point out calmly and respectfully, regardless of how the other person is responding. Even if they don’t fully understand at the moment,  they will remember what you said. 

I watched a video of Sushmita Sen where she mentioned something similar, and it stuck with me.

 

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2. Allow your relationship with your partner to evolve

Having a baby can significantly alter your relationship with your partner. The first year after V’s arrival was challenging for us. We saw each other at our worst, and there were many days I would cry myself to sleep, worried that my relationship with Rajesh had permanently shifted. And you know what? It certainly did! We were no longer the same college sweethearts. We now had a tiny human to take care of, more bills to pay, and additional responsibilities.

However, the second year post-V was better. We became more patient and compassionate, starting to respond to situations rather than react (still a work in progress!). All thanks to the little extra time we got to rest and spend with each other compared to the first year.

The summer of 2023 will always hold a special place in my heart for how it strengthened my bond with Rajesh and created core memories with our 2-year-old. Spending ample time at the beaches and in nature brought back so many memories of my childhood; my inner child was happy, which made my adult self content. Nature truly has a magical way, doesn’t it?

Don’t fear relationship changes; sometimes, it’s not all bad!

 

3. Don’t feel guilty about rest days 

I never fully appreciated the significance of sleep until after having V. I have seen firsthand how restlessness and insufficient sleep have impacted my mood, causing me to be on edge and easily snap at every little thing. The guilt of hurting my loved ones created a vicious cycle that I needed to break. I knew I had to make adjustments—prioritizing sleep over staying up late to work on the blog/IG posts. I go to bed early now, ensuring I get a solid 6-hour rest. I work out and take my rest days seriously now.

I’ve also learned not to feel guilty about occasional breaks from posting on IG or my blog to focus on myself and prioritize more family time. This shift is helping me set more realistic expectations for myself in all areas of my life.

 

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4. Embrace Diverse Learning Avenues

During my pregnancy, I began exploring online courses and workshops. The first course I enrolled in was on pregnancy and labor, and I never stopped doing them. I love and find immense value in the bite-sized videos and detailed articles provided within the courses. Live workshops, where I could actively participate, ask questions, and learn from fellow moms or business owners. It feels like I am back in school, and I love the convenience of doing these courses from the comfort of my home and some at my own pace.

One standout course that significantly helped me was the Solid Starts program on Baby-led weaning. This course empowered me to trust the process confidently and make well-informed decisions.

In 2023, I explored different courses, covering topics that I needed help with or piqued my interest at the moment. This year, I want to continue that and also incorporate podcasts into my learning routine and rekindle the joy of reading books again. let’s see how that goes.

 

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5. Never judge someone based on other people’s perceptions of them

When you find yourself on the receiving end, lessons tend to sink in faster, don’t they? 🙂

I’ve always believed in this, and now, more than ever. Particularly on social media, where personal connections may be limited, it’s easy to judge individuals based on others’ opinions. It’s a crucial reminder to keep in mind that people who easily speak ill of others, especially those they barely know, might very well do the same to you in the future! For some, gossiping and mocking others is a means to connect with people, and I prefer to stay away from these individuals.

Also, I learned not to use the word “friend” lightly. Just because you have had some good conversations with someone, don’t label them as a “friend.” It’s a sacred word; use it wisely!