So you've resolved to change aspects of your life this new year. However, as well as planning to add positive habits and routines to your lifestyle, what are the 9 things women must STOP doing in 2022?
Whether your new year resolutions are a distant memory or you’re still going strong, there are things we as women have to let go of – once and for all. But, what are the 9 things women must stop doing in 2022 in order to create their most authentic life experience?
I recently shared the steps of how to create Your Best Year Ever, along with my workbook on how to set your goals and make them a reality. However, developing the right mindset, is equally important in making lasting changes in your life. The 9 things women must stop doing in 2022, shared below, is a great place to start.
We all have things we struggle with on a day to day basis. Lets take the opportunity this year, to let go of disempowering habits and thoughts that have stopped us from living a truly full life.
Take a look at the list below, be honest with yourself and make it a priority to stop doing the 9 things that are holding you back from growing into the person you want to become.
9 things women must stop doing in 2022
Work, family, kids, partner, pets, community etc. etc. Yes, they are all important aspects of your life. But in 2022, it’s time to change your focus. Putting yourself first and making sure your cup is full is not being selfish. In reality, it’s the only way you are able to give to those around you – without feeling resentful. Release the guilt of making your wellbeing, health, mental stability, goals and ambitions a priority. The happier and more fulfilled you are, the happier everyone who depends on you will be.
You can practice filling your own cup first for a whole month, by swiping my 30 Day Self-Care Challenge.
Putting yourself first is not about ignoring your responsibilities. But rather, little actions of self love practised each and every day – making those responsibilities feel less stressful.
We all make the mistake of getting upset with other people, because they have not read our minds. They should know what we want and what makes us happy, right? The truth is – they don’t. Unless we express and communicate our wants and needs, other people (who do actually care about us), do not have a clue about what we actually want. This communication also applies to your own personal boundaries.
Stop assuming and start communicating. In 2022, it’s time to verbalise what you want, how you want to be treated and what you will no longertolerate.
How many times have your received a compliment and attempted to play down the thing you have been complimented about? Or, an opportunity has been offered to you and you immediately rattle off all the reasons why you can’t do it, instead of reinforcing the strengths you have to take on the challenge?
This year, it’s time to stop selling yourself short and playing small!
Stop listening to the ghosts of your past, saying you’re not good enough. Start taking those compliments with open arms and gratitude. Let go of the belief that your current situation is a measure for the woman you want to become. Refuse dulling your light, to make others comfortable. Stand up for the woman you are today and believe she is worthy of everything she has accomplished and everything she wants in the future.
How many days, months or years have you spent ‘waiting’ for inspiration? Inspiration to lose weight, get in (or out) a relationship, change career, relocate, save money, start a family, start a business – the list goes on! The truth of the matter is – you are not waiting for inspiration, you are surrendering to fear.
The majority of the time we ‘wait’ because of fear – not because we are uninspired. Idea’s flow though our minds everyday – we are actually constantly inspired. But due to the fear of the actual execution of the idea, we numb it with TV, social media or any other action that will keep us in our comfort zone.
In 2022, it’s time to stop letting fear of the unknown crush our inspiration. Make yourself familiar with the 5 Second Rule and use it everyday. The next time you are inspired to do something, take one small action at the very point of that inspired feeling. Each action you take, the greater the reduction of fear.
2022 is the year to stop making the excuse that you have no time! We all have time. In fact, we all have the exact same amount of time each and everyday. Believing you have no time is just another way of saying ‘it’s not a priority’. Let’s be honest, the majority of us spend vast amounts of time procrastinating on some sort of screen. Having ‘no time’ is an admission that we have no focus or direction.
If something is important to you – you make time. You create a space during the day or week to do the thing you think is a priority. Lets leave this excuse behind this year and be intentional with the things we focus on. Time is one of the things we will never get back, so be mindful of how you spend your days and the direction of your energy.
Check out my blog post about Time Blocking and discover how you can create more time in your day-to-day life for the things you want to achieve.
6. comparing yourself to other women
We’ve all been there. Whether it be a celebrity, someone in the workplace or even one of our friends or family members – we all have a habit of comparing ourselves to other women. Now, sometimes that comparison can be inspirational and help us make positive changes in our lives. But if we’re honest – the majority of the time it creates insecurities, envy and self-doubt.
Let’s stop doing this! One of the biggest lessons I realised when I turned 45 was that no matter how great another women’s life appeared, she has (and maybe still is), going through the exact same struggles as the rest of us.
Comparison is a a sure fire way to pull yourself down and distract you from taking action on the things you can actively be doing to become the woman you want to become. Switch the comparison to admiration and you will immediately have a mindset shift about your own worth and potential for change.
7. feeling sorry for yourself
Nobody is coming to save you! So, it’s time to put your big girl pants on and face the challenges of life. Harsh but true! Whatever happened in your life, up to the very point of you reading this post – is the past. Yes it hurt. It made you question things. You know it was unfair. But now what? Will you continue to allow your past to dictate your present and future? No, not in 2022.
There is nothing you can do to change what came before. But you have complete control of what happens now. I’m not saying it’s easy to move on from the ghosts of the past. However, making the decision to no longer wallow in the pain is the most empowering way to shed the burden and remove the weight to make your journey to towards your future easier.
8. Waiting for 'Some day'
Ever find yourself thinking “Some day I will…” (fill in the blank). Newsflash – there is day in the week called ‘some day’. That thing that you want to do will not happen some day. It will happen on the day you decide to take action to work towards it and get it done.
If you really want that some day thing to happen – make a plan. Or just stop torturing yourself and let it go. Failure is much easier to live with than regret.
9. Seeking approval from others
We all want to be liked and feel appreciated by other people. It’s part of the human condition. However, this year it’s time to let go of believing our self worth can only come from external sources. Using our energy to conform, adapt and even skew our own internal essence in the hope of gaining approval (or love) from other people, leaves us in turmoil.
Yes, it’s part of our primal need to be liked. But, it’s important for our survival to like ourselves.
A big part of this is understanding and being clear of your own core values. Seeking approval or love from others stems from our own need to feel good. Having a clear set of core values, makes feeling good easier and totally under your own control.
Check out my free workbook How to Set Your Values and Change Your Life to start prioritising how you want to feel emotionally. Focus your attention on the outcome you want to feel. And plan your actions to enable this feeling.
There you have it!
9 Things Women Must STOP Doing in 2022.
Which of the 9 things above will you be giving up this year?
Let me know in the comments below and feel free to add and share any other things you plan to stop doing over the coming months.
