The Things That 2017 Has Taught Me
The year that has passed has been a whirlwind. 2017 was full of activities, of exciting moments, of travel, but it was also a year of sickness and also death in the family.
But we do not give up. We should not give up. As long as we have life, we have hope. We only have bad moments, or even bad days, but all in all, it is still a good life.
Looking back, I have learned so many things, realizations that have added knowledge as well as wisdom. I think that is what’s important, that as we add another year into our lives, we bring new learning and grow in wisdom that we will bring into our twilight years and pass on to the next generation.
Spending More Time With Family.
Our family is where love is born within us. But family members can grow old and after some time, they will leave us. The death of our grandma left a void in our hearts… our lives. But I am thankful that as much as we can, my daughter and I were able to spend quality time with her. The later years were not as jovial, but we the fact that we connected just strengthened the bond.
Spending lots of time with our loved ones will fill us with happy memories. This will also keep us from feeling regret when they are no longer with us.
Traveling To See The World.
Because of my work, I got to travel to some places locally, like Manila, Tagaytay, and Iloilo. During those times, I traveled with blogging colleagues. I came to realize that travel changes us. We see other people, other cultures, even other perspectives. And we also learn from the people around us.
It is now my desire to bring my daughter along so that she, too, can see more of the world and learn from our experiences. We will have to schedule and insert travels this year, during the school breaks.
Being A More Dedicated And Hard Working Blogger.
I never expected to win any award for being a blogger. For me it’s just something that I want to do. The perks are just icing on the cake. So when I did win awards (Best Parenting Blog and Best Lifestyle Blog) at the Rotary Club of Bacolod South Bloggers Excellence Awards last December 2017, it was such a huge and pleasant surprise.
I attended to support the Rotary Club of Bacolod South and my fellow Negrense Bloggers, and I thought that I’ll just be the group’s photographer (and cheerer). Hehe. I never really saw myself as an “award-winning blogger”. As a matter of fact, I feel that I have so much to learn from other bloggers who in my mind, are better and more experienced.
This 2018, I will think of these awards as my motivation to work harder. Furthermore, I’ll be more confident in my capabilities.
Saving More.
I can say that last year was not as good as the previous years when it comes to money. My monthly income wasn’t as good as before and what’s worse is that I spent more on things that are not that necessary. I feel sad and guilty at the same time for not able to save.
This year, I’ll be more thrifty and cautious about spending. I’ll keep track of my income, expenses, budget, etc. My daughter and I are starting on a positive note when it comes to saving by doing the “Ipon Challenge” which I saw on the internet. It gives me joy that she has started being conscious about money at such a young age and this inspires me to save even more.
Germs Are Everywhere.
My, oh, my. Last year had been a trying time in terms of health. Just a little blip in our immunity and bam! – we get the fever, the colds, the cough. Need I say more? Germs are everywhere and every time we go out, we expose ourselves to these health threats.
But I learned that using Downy Antibac will help prevent sickness. You know why? It has an active ingredient that helps prevent germ growth on our clothes. That is also the reason why Downy Antibac can help keep our clothes from smelling bad even after we are exposed to heat and humidity all day. It kills germs!
So now, we keep on using Downy Antibac as part of our wellness regimen at home.
What have been some of the lessons and insights that 2017 has taught you? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
I agree on that part on travelling. The reason I do it more often is that it opens my mind to a lot of things and widens my understanding of people and of the world. And while this is something that gives me a high, sickness, whether I experience it myself or by a loved one, give me a low. They say prevention is better than cure, so it’s good to do the necessary precautions to avoid it.
Oh well… I learned that it’s never too late to learn new things, to try, to venture… and be grateful despite life’s ups & downs.
Congratulations on your award. Deserving!!!
Yes…when it comes to saving I have to be more practical in buying and spending. I have to be more careful because money is really hard to earn.
Change doesn’t happen when you try to change, it happens when you accept where you are.
When you be yourself, the world becomes your home.
So here is to 2018.
When life gets tough, You really get to know who you really are.
I have been neglecting my health because I am more focused on my career and so I realized now that taking care of yourself is a priority.
Life lessons learned during the past year is when you stop predicting and expecting things to be a certain way, you can appreciate them for what they are and ultimately you will realize that life’s greatest gifts are rarely wrapped the way you expected , and so with a positive attitude and an open mind, you will find that life isn’t necessarily any easier or harder than you thought it was going to be; it’s just that the easy and the hard aren’t exactly the way you had anticipated, and don’t always occur when you expect them to, so it this isn’t a bad thing, it makes life.
Interesting because life is too unpredictable for rigid expectations.
When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.
So find out who’s in it with you. This past year was an eye-opening one in terms of relationships and friends. Those who love you will stick by you no matter what. They won’t let you down, they’ll speak the truth even when it hurts, they’ll be there for you. Their support will get you through the toughest, most challenging days.
Know your crew and love them hard.
It’s time to change your mindset…
Today, the only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday. Prove yourself to yourself, not others. You are GOOD enough, SMART enough, FINE enough, and STRONG enough. You don’t need other people to validate you; you are already valuable.
The words and opinions of others have no real bearing on your worth. Certainly it can be helpful and desirable to make a good impression in certain situations, yet it’s not the end of the world when you are faced with rejection.
Don’t let them put you down. Seeking validation from others invalidates you.
Think Positive
Life having ways testing a person’s will either by having nothing at all or by having everything happen all at once, but positive actions combined with positive thinking results success…
2017 taught me to slow down a bit, take the time to smell the flowers.. Life is awesome if we learn how to relax and let go.. And let God =)
You have a lot of savings accounts! Hehe. Let’s do more this year. Hooray to lessons learned last year and to the new year that brings a promise of hope of a better year.
2017 taught me to become a worthy person. To prioritize savings before spending anything. It also taught me to become more matured and also to spend more time with my kids/family.
These are the things I’ve learned in 2017:
-Believe in yourself
-Have a vision
-Be fearless
-Always hustle
-Stay focused
-Get motivated
-Get inspired
-Get excited
2017 has taught me a lot of things. 2017 taught me that life is not easy, life gets hard sometimes and life will always be beautiful.
Congratulations for being an award winning blogger, dko pa na achieve yan and I am happy for you.
2017 has taught me that stressing over minute and unavoidable things will, well, really stress you out and greatly affect your health and well being. So I try to be more patient and just try to care less on things that don’t really matter much.
Btw, congratulations on your awards! :)
The best thing that 2017 had taught me is to always be at my Best!
No matter what might others say… No matter what happens next…
Giving my best gives me that fulfillment and stop myself from asking what if’s.
Giving my best let’s me improved my self as I learn from my mistakes and my practices in doing a certain thing continuously makes it PERFECT.
The year that passed may not be as good as I wanted it to be… Because I lost my Dad, the very important person of my life… But still… I’m thankful! Not because I’ve lost him but because all of the things happened that year makes me a more stronger and better person.
And this year…
For this New Year to come… My resolutions for me to be a better version is to be more DEDICATED!
I want to be dedicated on each goals I had for me to achieve it… For me to be a more successful person.
Being dedicated, this requires me to be more PATIENT, HARD WORKING, OPTIMISTIC and most importantly.. more GOD FEARING.
Because I believe in the end of each year.. in the start of another one my dedication to everything and especially to HIM our Creator would be my best weapon to be a better ME!
Wow, reading how your 2017 was made me look back on how the previous year was for me. In just the length of the year I experienced the transition from college life to the real adulting world. One moment I was burying myself in books and burning my eyebrows off to finish my requirements then the next thing I knew I was printing resumes and having scheduled interviews that I’m anxious to attend. It was truly a rocky road to venture and I’ve had my fare share of ups and downs, yet here I am. Ready to take on the new year ahead with high hopes and dreams.
2017 for me was a year of maturity. Graduating college, entering the real word, searching for jobs, and owning up to my responsibility. It has taught me a lot of lessons but most of all it taught me to move forward. Move forward because life is not still and set in stone. Meaning that my actions could lead to different results I just have to act upon it.
Me graduating college made me realize that the hardships I experience during those days are nothing compared to those that are yet to come in real life. But instead of doubting myself and succumb to fear it made me look forward to the future and what is yet to come. It made me excited to gain experience.
I have also learned that gaining experience will not always be rainbows and sunshines. It comes in different colors. But despite that, good and bad, ill still gain a lesson from it. 2017 was roller coaster of learnings and experiences, and I’m happy that I’ve lived through it. Because I know I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it.
Congratulations on winning your awards ???? I’m sure you deserved it! ???? Hope you have more blessings ahead of you and have more achievements this year! ????????????
2017 taught me a lot. It reminds me that no matter what happens, FAMILY is the best and will never ever leave you until the last breath you have. Mawawala ang friends mo pero ang family, ano man ang katayuan mo sa buhay ngayon, andyan sila sa tabi mo handa kang samahan sa ano mang pagsubok!
What happend in the past is a learning experience, whether it be a positive or a negative.
We hust have to be thankful and keep the faith. ????
Life is full of surprises, we learned from our mistakes and gain experiences.
Look on to the future as we learn from the past!
Seems like 2017 was relatively not a good year for a lot of us. But it definitely has taught us a lot. I love your story and would definitely try to apply the leassons you’ve covered in your blog post. :) Will also follow you as well! :)
At the end of the day, what matters most are the people in our lives. Put them first every single day. Before work. Before the computer. Before your hobbies. Treat them like they are everything to you. Because they are.
So true po lahat ng sinabi nyo and for me what I love in everything that you’ve said is that having WISDOM and learning from all the mistakes you’ve encountered we must known to how to stand up and continue our lives.
Sa buhay talaga dapat laging maging matatag.
Indeed, last year I have encountered a lot of difficulties but it really taught me how to be strong, it came to a point that I wanna quit but when I see my children I need to be strong, to get out of my comfort zone and stand on my own feet. As long as Ihave my family, friends and God, I am saved.
It makes me more stronger and more productive and as a father, I became more hardworking and caring. Though may mga problems na dumating samin lalo na sa work ko but I prayed hard na wag mawalan ng trabaho. I’m so thankful na imbes na matanggal ako sa work, nilipat ako sa mas komportable ako. So blessed pa rin. As long as nananalig tayo kay Lord, hindi nya tayo pababayaan.
Change is inevitable. No matter where you go and what you do, you can’t escape change. People come and go, your body gets different, responsibilities come into your life. Everything is going to change. It changes everyday. I can’t seem to welcome it with a smile yet, but maybe one day I will get there. For now, I’ll just try to take it as it comes.
Anyway, congratulations on your awards!!!
Lasy year, there’s a lot of problems I encountered liked I stopped college due to financial problems. But that doesn’t mean I need to give up my dreams. It taught me the lesson of never give up in achieving my goals. I looked for a job and luckily I got one. Now, that I am earning money, I am saving some of it so that I could go back to college and finish it that’s one of my goal this year. God is with me always and of course my family is my motivation too.
Last year po natutunan ko kung paano tumayo sa sarili kong mga paa, nag step out na ako sa comfort zone ko at nagstart ko maghanap ng pagkakakitaan para samin ng mga anak ko. Single mom po ako at hindi madali para sakin na itaguyod ang mga anak ko. Pero dahil narin sa kagustuhan kong iangat ang sarili ko nanakig ako sa dyos at nanalangin. Hindi nya ako pinabayaan at syempre andyan din ang family ko na sumuporta sakin.
Each year is a year in life’s huge classroom. We never stop learning.
ALL TRUE! And for this year, I’m gonna for sure learn and do something new, more strictker on spending and saving habits. Lastly, invest on wellness and health.
**stricter
We’re always learning something new for every year that comes and go. I also want to save money. I sometimes buy things that are really not necessary. It is time to apply the lessons that I have learnrd.
*learned
We are the same, more time with my family. Last year I’ve been spending more time with my new boyfriend and new friends in work. Now, I start planning a family travel to spend more time with them.
Thank you for sharing this. Naisip ko tuloy yung mga natutunan ko last year and my new year resolution this year. 2017 also taught me so many things.
Life really give us lots of lessons to learn every single day :)
It’s been a very blessed 2017 to all of us. And hoping that 2018 will be the same.
What a year for you! Hope you’ll have a blessed 2018! Make more memories and adventures. Have some new learnings in life and live it to the fullest.
Life is truly short. We all say it but there comes a time, for everyone, when this truth actually sinks in and nestles somewhere in our brains, affecting every single little thing that we do. This happened for me in 2017 and I am so very glad it did. There is no longer anything ‘kept for best’ or ‘saved for a rainy day’. It is all used and enjoyed and appreciated, right here, right now.
Congratulations on your awards!
I definitely agree sa mga things na yan because just like me, natutunan kong maging mas malapit sa family, magtravel and magtipid ng pera :) Narealize ko na you should do all the good things in life because you only live once. I was regrets and disappointment rin.