It’s probably not too late to talk about New Year’s resolution and I was actually thinking about it since it’s Lunar New Year over the weekend.

The world has changed so much because of the pandemic and it’s difficult to imagine how it was today last year. The agony and insecurities I felt last year was still vivid, but I am still alive and well. I did it, surviving another year. But that also means I’m getting older, and I just want to put a reminder to my future self here, that love is all around.

Dear self,

Let’s not concentrate on what others can do; concentrate on what YOU can do.
People can achieve 100 other things that you can never dream of achieving in this life and probably the next one, but there’s bound to be at least ONE (or more!) thing that you’re good at. Even if it’s trivial, find ways to make it fun. Develop yourself to be better at it. Be proud of what you can do, instead of feeling down because of what you cannot do!

Look around you within your reach and not beyond your reach.
Letting go is a difficult process of accepting the fact that something is not for you. It can be anything, from the cup you really wanted to buy but it was too expensive, or the dream you had to let go because your heart just couldn’t take it anymore. Acceptance is not easy, and there’s bound to be regret afterwards; still, the feeling of contentment will come when you learn to appreciate what you have at the moment. You might not have everything, but you still have something you hold dear to your own self.

Know when to push and pull yourself.
Doing your best is a thing, but there’s also something called knowing your limit. Pushing yourself to do your best is almost an instinct, but that doesn’t mean stretching yourself thin until you’re on the verge of breaking down.
Stop. Take a deep breath. Take your time, Build your lost energy. Try again.
You will know when it’s the time to give up. Giving up is not a statement that makes you weak; on the contrary, it might be a sign that you are aware of your own limits. It doesn’t hurt to try out something new, but knowing when to put a stop at it when it’s draining your own self is also a skill many do not possess.

Do not be afraid to cry.
Nurse your heartbreak. Cry your heart out. Sob all you want.
But do not forget to wipe your tears.
Take a deep breath, and think of your own self.
Pat yourself lightly, and close your eyes.
Focus on your breathing, and soon you will calm down.
Sometimes we need to cry when we feel tired or helpless. It is as if our heart is on a drought, and the tears become the rain to soothe the pain.
Remember, the rainbow will only come when the sun shines through the rain.
After all, you can’t spell rainbow without the ‘rain’.
Wipe your tears, and hold your hand close to your mending heart. It’s healing; no matter how slow the rate is, what matters the most is you are already on the way to heal yourself when you decided to embrace your feelings and let your tears flow.

We are not perfect.
Humans aren’t made to be perfect, for we are destined to be flawed.
We see people being happy and joyful while wondering,
“Don’t I deserve to be happy too?”
Yes, you do.
You have all the reasons to be happy.
You have today.
Yesterday has passed by and tomorrow is yet to come.
Yesterday was a nightmare and tomorrow feels like a farfetched dream.
But you have today.
Make the most of it. Do something: read, write, watch, listen, or make, anything you like.
Even if it’s the day you have to do something you hate the most, remember this one thing:
“There’s nothing like today. It will happen only once in your life. Tomorrow will come; a new day will come.”

There are 365 (or 366) days in a year.
Out of those many days, there are probably less than 200 days when you feel sad, lonely, hopeless, and many more. Even if there are more, do not forget those happy days.
The day you laugh when you watch something.
The happy moment when you eat your favourite food.
The day you feel the prettiest.
The moment you feel blissful and content.
The second you feel alive and well.
Do not forget those days and those moments.
Cherish them, treasure them.
When you feel suffocated and you cannot move, take a deep breath.
Think of those little moments.
Those little moments, those happy days.
Wouldn’t it be a waste to stop living when there are precious moments waiting for you?
Live for those few moments.
Those moments will turn into days,
Days into months;
Months into years.
Even if the bad day visits you once in a while, you already know that tomorrow will be waiting for you.

Do not be afraid to pat yourself on the back.
Compliment yourself, and treat yourself once in a while.
Eat what you want and give yourself that small gift of happinesss.
Say that you did a good job getting through a challenging day.
You did it!
Look into the mirror.
You are breathing; you are living.
You are being you.
Do not be afraid to say I Love You to yourself.
Hug yourself (just, maybe not in public).
Give lots of love to your own self, for no one is capable of giving the most of it except for you yourself.
Love yourself.
Because love keeps you going;
Your love is all around.