As we reflect on the craziness that was 2018, one thing is clear: We can all do better! Here is your guide to the lessons we learned in 2018, and see how to put them to use in 2019.
1. Less news makes you happier.
We know that our news gets dominated by adverse events. So what about taking a news blackout? Erik Hagerman did just that, to the extreme.
“If you’re going to be successful, you better have a goal, you better find really good people, better understand where all the money’s coming from. And you better measure the living daylights out of it.” – Rick Scott
He avoided all news since the 2016 US election. But, as a result, he says, “I’m emotionally healthier than I’ve ever felt.” Granted his approach may be morally questionable and is afforded by privilege, but it might be healthy to limit our news consumption.
2. Let’s get it on.
Most people would agree that sex is important and we should all try to have it, in entirely consensual ways, of course.
Karin Jones, the author of Modern Loves, shares this, “What surprised me was that these husbands weren’t looking to have more sex. They were looking to have any sex.” And she learned this by having affairs with married men.
“Even if you have a difficult season, you still believe the following year will be better and a good one.” – Fernando Alonso
This is not to suggest that if you don’t have sex, then your partner will cheat, but it confirms what we all know. Sex is a good thing for humans and is a good thing for relationships.
3. Consider cannabidiol.
Things are looking good for cannabidiol or CBD as it is commonly referred to. The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a CBD-based drug. And an N.Y.U. School of Medicine researcher called CBD “the most promising drug that has come out for neuropsychiatric diseases in the last 50 years.”
Cannabidiol, which is found in the cannabis plant, may help treat illnesses, including cancer, epilepsy and Parkinson’s, as well as anxiety and insomnia and anxiety.
4. Control your spending.
I love FIRE people. FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. And they are devoted to living frugally and most importantly investing their cost savings.
“You can always be a little bit better.” – Drew Brees
They do this so they can stop working in their 40s or even as young as their 30s. That might be out of reach for many of us, after all, I am 53 as I write this. However, even if you’re not ready to join FIRE and adopt all of their tenets, cutting some spending will always help.
5. Ditch your mobile.
There is more and more information coming out about the harmful effects of screens. But the shocker is that the people responsible for these very gadgets are keeping them far away from their own children.
“Always strive to be a better you for you and for those around you.” – David Brett-Williams
Yes, in Silicon Valley, the headquarters of technology, children are being urged to rediscover board games, card games, and the great outdoors. Maybe that is something we should do, too.
6. Take back your time.
Life gets squeezed by the multitude of requests for your time. You must allow yourself to say no more often to be the keeper of your time. If you don’t say no, you run the risk of burn out.
“The biggest obstacle to people becoming better is that you have to really want to be a good person in order to be a better person, and most people would rather be other things.” – Dennis Prager
When you burn out, you can hate everyone and everything, including your family and friends and the things formerly known as “fun.”
7. Beware of snake oil salespeople.
The world is flooded with so-called wellness gurus (myself included). I believe the pursuit of wellness is more important than ever, but we all need to be aware the shady people peddling their magic elixirs.
“Your life will be no better than the plans you make and the action you take. You are the architect and builder of your own life, fortune, destiny.” – Alfred A. Montapert
Become a critical consumer of information. Let’s be honest, if it sounds too good to be true then chances are it is not true. Focus on the tried-and-tested self-care methods: sleep, exercise and science.
8. Wear what you like.
If you listen to 84-year-old Dorrie Jacobson, you should dress for the sheer joy of it and not be constrained by the dictates of your age. If you would like inspiration check her Instagram account @seniorstylebible.
9. Accept your nocturnal nature.
An increasing number of companies offer jobs that have flexible working hours. It seems the model of success might be shifting from the early risers to the late-night digital nomads.
No more getting to the office before everyone else does? Recent research supports that night owls might not be the train wrecks we were led to believe.
“You will be better advised to watch what we do instead of what we say.” – A. A. Milne
It turns out that research suggests night owls take more risks and may even be more intelligent. Hmmm!
Don’t let any of these be you in 2019.
