This past year has truly been a year of transformation. There was so much growth and change, and I am grateful for all of it.

Over the year, I learned a lot about myself, and I solidified many of my spiritual beliefs and truths about life, purpose, and existence. I felt almost every emotion imaginable and learned many lessons along the way.

Here are 21 things I learned in 2021: 

1. Your perspective of good and bad is based on your mindset. 

Nothing is inherently good or bad. When I started taking meaning away from situations and people, I took back my power. That’s why everyone sees the world differently - because we assign labels of “good” and “bad” to everything. But once you realize that things aren’t good or bad, but are, you become really at peace with the world.

2. Belief and thought are more important than you think.

Beliefs are thoughts that are repeated over and over again, and if you repeat something long enough, you'll begin to believe it. Almost everything that happens to you is because of some subconscious beliefs, and they're running your life. So the sooner you get to the root beliefs, you can begin seeing why you do, say, and think certain ways.

3. It's okay to keep things private from your family.

Not everyone needs to know everything that's happening in your life, even your family. You are allowed to keep things to yourself because what you're doing is no one's business but your own. Let people think what they want and keep doing what you love. 

4. Emotions want to be felt.

The longer I pushed down emotions, the more I felt it later. If I feel bad and try to distract myself, I only feel worse later. It was like putting a bandaid on a wound instead of looking deeper at it. Emotions move through your body; you can physically feel them. And they are there to let you know something is either wrong or feels right. Once you realize they want to be felt and acknowledged, it is easier to manage them.

5. The present is the only time you are guaranteed. 

You never know what is going to happen to you. You can't change the past, and the future is never guaranteed. We tend to either live in the past or the future and don't take time to appreciate what we have now. Be present in mundane tasks like cleaning and driving. Do everything with intention. You only truly have right now.

6. Routines are important. 

One of the best ways to set yourself up for success is to have a routine. That can be a morning routine, a night routine, a workout routine, or anything else. The mind likes familiarity, and it's a great way to set the tone for the day. Having a solid morning routine with gratitude, journaling, meditation, and coffee makes me look forward to something. It's my favorite part of my day.  

7. Gratitude first thing in the morning will set you up for a perfect day. 

When I wake up in the morning, and I open my eyes, the first thing I say is, "Thank you for another day and another chance. It's going to be a beautiful day." No matter how I felt the night before, I always find gratitude for another day. If you wake up in the morning, you still have a purpose on earth. And that is my motivation to get up and make the most of my day. I notice a difference when I do this and when I don't. I always feel better when I do.

8. There is no quick fix to healing. 

Healing doesn't happen overnight, and it takes time and patience. I've realized that something else comes up once I think I've healed something. And then something else comes up, so on and so on. It's like pulling back layers, and once you heal one part of yourself, you'll start to heal other parts automatically. It's beautiful and magical, but you can't rush it.

9. It's not enough to *just* read books, listen to podcasts, and watch videos. 

I've read so many self-development books and listened to tons of spiritual podcasts, but nothing helps me more than to put everything I've heard into action. I DO IT when I hear about an exercise, journal prompt, or meditation, and I implement what I've learned into my life, and that's when I begin to see real change.

10. Removing yourself from a stressful situation is not avoiding the problem.

Sometimes we feel like we're avoiding a person or issue by leaving, but sometimes that's what's best for your mental health. It can be as simple as leaving the room during an argument or when you feel heated to cutting someone off toxic people. That doesn't necessarily mean you're avoiding anything, and sometimes you have to do what's best for you.

11. You can't force people to change.

When you begin to change and grow, you'll notice that you're either surrounded by people growing with you or staying the same. The people staying where they are might not understand you anymore and question why you're changing. You'll want to help them change too, but you can't change anyone unless they want to change. You can't force them to read books or meditate or say affirmations. They have to come to you on their own, and otherwise, they'll resent you. Your growth and healing will influence others to change automatically.

12. Having fun and feeling good means you're in alignment.

I've noticed that I love things like cooking, baking, painting, creating content, etc. I feel my best. And that's also when I'm most productive. When I do the things, I love I feel good, and I feel more energized and have a higher vibe. This makes me feel like I am in alignment with my higher self like I'm going what I'm supposed to be doing. When I'm having fun, I know I am aligned with the Universe.

13. The relationship you have with yourself is the most important relationship of all.

The relationship you have with yourself sets the tone for your other relationships. Also, you are the only one you'll ever have, and you have to nurture that relationship. You're the one that's going to have your back. You're the one that keeps you motivated. And you're the one that ultimately brings you all the happiness. You have to make this one a good relationship because it's the most important one you'll ever have.

14. Being alone doesn't mean you have to be lonely.

I've learned the importance of being alone a lot this year. And I've come to love it and appreciate it. I enjoy spending time with myself and getting to know myself better. But just because I am alone, it doesn't mean I'm lonely. Sometimes it does get lonely, but that's why you have a support system with those you care about. Sometimes you have to be alone to find yourself.

15. The more resistance you have in doing something probably means you should do it.

When I feel resistance to doing something, that's when I know I have to do it. This happens a lot when stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things. There's a difference between not wanting to do something because you don't want to do it and not wanting to do something because it would be easier if you didn't. If you know that doing something will advance you in any way, DO IT.

16. You are responsible for your feelings.

This is one of the hardest pills I've had to swallow. No one can make me feel anyway. No one can control my emotions except me. When I began taking responsibility for my feelings, I felt empowered. You give your power away when you let someone control your emotions, and you control that. Stop blaming other people for how you feel and realize that you are in charge of your life, no one else.

17. You never really know how long you have on earth to live.

I don't like being morbid, but life is short, and the days are going by faster. You never really know how long you're going to live. If I told you that in 5 years your life would look the same as it is right now, would you be satisfied? If there is something you feel called to do, find a way to do it. You're being called to it for a reason. This is the only life where you'll be you in your body with your mind and life. Do what you want.

18. Deciding is the first step, arguably the most important step, to make any change.

Everything in life requires a choice. Are you going to choose to wake up early and have a productive day? Or are you going to decide to stay up late and wake up late and feel lazy throughout the day? Every big change comes with a decision to change. And making that decision is the most important thing you can do.

19. There are no rules to life; only those you were taught to follow.

When you think about life, you'll realize how significant and insignificant it is at the same time. We are the center of the Universe, but at the same time, we are floating on a rock in the middle of space with thousands of other galaxies just like ours. There are no rules to life, and you have only been conditioned to think a certain way and grew up believing that you should live life according to a set of nonexistent rules. You can literally do whatever you want.

20. Your energy is what attracts things, people, and opportunities into your life. 

The key to having the things you want is to attract them with your energy. That means you have to be on the same level as them. And you can reach that level through feelings. What would it feel like to finally manifest your desires? Now you find ways to feel those feelings now. When you feel good, and your energy is high, it's easier to bring in your desires.

21. Your life is supposed to feel good; if it doesn't, something is off. 

Life is supposed to be fun. Sometimes you are faced with obstacles that steer you away from joy, but it's your job to come back to this feeling of joy. When you aren't feeling good, you know you are out of alignment with your highest self. Life is supposed to feel good, and every day will get better.

These are the lessons I learned in 2021. I learned so much about myself this year, and I can't wait to learn even more in 2022. If you want to get a head start on your mindset for 2022, make sure to grab my 21-Day Mindset Makeover Challenge to clear your mindset and remove any mental clutter!

Let’s have an amazing and transformative year in 2022!!