The New Year has approached us and there’s a lot of talk about what we want to leave behind  in 2017. For me, each year is a learning layer that helps build the foundation of my journey. Each year comes with trials, tribulations, and yes, stuff I want to let go of, but I like to think of what I learned and what I can take with me in the new year.

With that being said, 2017 was a year filled with trials and tribulations, uncertainty, self-love and adventure and there is so much I learned about myself through it all.

Here are my top 10 takeaways from 2017. I’d encourage you to think of yours and write them down on a sheet of paper and look back at them periodically throughout the new year.

Listen to your gut

There are times when you can ask for as much advice as you want, but the only person that knows the answer is you. I would seek out others opinions and then be unhappy with how I was feeling because it wasn’t what I wanted to do. You know yourself better than anyone else and if you get the initial “ehh” feeling, take a moment and think about what your mind and body are feeling.

Self-love first

This was my biggest lesson of all this year and i’m SO happy I did! It finally all started to come together for me that once you put yourself first, you can make others happy. In the beginning of 2017 I was stretching myself thin and making myself crazy trying to make others happy (is this you?). What I realized was that when I was taking care of myself first, I was helping others 100000000 times more!

If you’re in a service-based industry you know how hectic it gets. So, take time each day (maybe just 5 minutes!) and do something that fuels your soul so you can give the best possible version of yourself to the world.

You are in charge of your own happiness

I hear so often of people complaining of what they have, don’t have, where they want to go and how unhappy they are with all of it. DO SOMETHING! You aren’t going to find happiness, happiness is within you. When I went from one job to another seeking “the perfect job” I finally realized that it wasn’t going to happen until I did something about it.

Instead of seeking outwards, look inside and ask yourself what you need to be happy and then what you need to do to get there. Then do it.

Trust the process

I am a true believer that hard work is the way to success. However, there is also something to be said about what the universe has in store for you. There are days (and will be ahead) where you feel lost and unsure if this is the right thing to do. This is when it’s okay to throw your hands in the air and let the universe guide you.

You’ll never be “Ready”

I designed my website, then redesigned it, then waited for a few months until I literally woke up one day and quit my job. I realized I was waiting for that “ah ha” moment that was never going to come unless I did something about it.

There will never be the perfect time to leave your job, start your blog or try something new. It’s never too late to start either!

You’re not alone

This is something I think a lot of solopreneurs deal with and i’m definitely guilty. When everything starts piling up and you think that you can’t do it all, remember that it’s okay to ask for help. Sara Blakely once said when asked what’s the best piece of advice she ever received, “Hiring my weakness”. This stuck with me so much when I was struggling to get everything I wanted to do with my business and clients.

Ask for advice, seek help and remember there are lots of people going through the same thing you are!

It’s okay to say no

This, for me, is the most important lesson I learned in 2017. I am so guilty of agreeing to too many things and not committing, saying yes to an event and then being miserable while i’m there or saying no with a bunch of excuses to follow. There could be a lot of different reasons I do this, but it’s mainly because I don’t want to disappoint anyone.

Towards the end of 2017, I started to realize that if I’m honest and say no upfront, both parties end up happier in the end. I know i’m not the only person guilty of this, so start practicing saying no. It doesn’t have to be harsh, but if you know in your heart you’re just saying yes to please the other person, say no!

By writing down these takeaways, it really helps me to internalize how grateful I am for this amazing life and the great year 2017 was. Instead of having a “fresh start”, I wanted to build off of everything i’ve learned and reflect on the personal growth I made.

I hope these takeaways resonated with you and help you to think about everything you learned last year and want to continue to build upon in 2018!