Sixteen things to leave behind in 2022

Out with the old and in with the new. As such, here are 16 things to leave behind in 2022.

I have been keeping a list, highlighting some of the things that I need to ditch. Always finding reasons to keep bad habits, I never fully freed myself. You know_ the personality flaws, the ugly truths, the selfdestructive attributes and the idiot idiosyncrasies that only hold you back. Today is the day. Shake them off like Taylor Swift did back in 2014. Let them be_ a thing of the past, these things aren’t welcome in 2023.

Neglecting Your Health

Let this include mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, social and financial health. Take care of yourself: detox on your off days, go for some fresh air, tell your friends you love them, pray, drink more water and less alcohol, drop the toxic and overly-needy friends and keep a budget. This is my definition of “health”.

Ghosting

For those among you who may not know what ghosting is_ it is sudden avoidance in all

BY DAVIDSON LOUIS

Rachel Wolchin once said: “If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have had roots instead of feet.” On this quest to self-discovery, TC Islander Davidson Louis vowed to travel, write, paint, laugh and forgive. Subsequently, he hopes to find himself and or, leave behind a few pieces of himself. Contact him at hello. octopen@tcinews.tc communication with someone who you previously showed interest in without clear communication or reasons. Ghosting isn’t doing you or the other person any favours. Lean into the discomfort and tell them why you no longer wish to further anything with them. It will get easier with time.

TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS

Yes please! Say goodbye to onesided relationships, fair-weather friends and 'situationships'. You have no space left for that kind of toxicity any longer. If you have anyone whom you suspect to be using you_ it is time to finally show them the emergency exit.

There’s a difference between staying informed and driving yourself crazy. I no longer let the craziness of the world get to my personal life. Selfish? No. Carefree? Maybe. In sync with my inner peace? Definitely yes.

SELF-SABOTAGING

Please stop straight away. This, in fact, should have been on top of the list. Stop being your number one enemy. Stop standing in your way to happiness and stop telling yourself no. Even if you "cannot", never show it. No one knows your limit_ Not even you!

STAYING QUIET

Staying quiet when you’re disrespected in order to “keep the peace.”

If anyone or anything remotely questions your boundaries, put it right. And do so right away_ and boldly too.

PEOPLE-PLEASING

Say what you need to say, do what you need to do. The right people will understand. It’s 2023!

TIME WASTERS No thanks. Keep it moving!

COMPARISON

This is so 1999! You should know by now that there is a time and season for everything. The rainy seasons should not get you down. Your spring season is loading… Wear whatever you want and nothing deemed “trendy”

Life is short. Wear what you feel good in. But girls, please do so with some moderation.

The Idea To Be Perfect

Beyoncé didn’t wake up like this. Oprah had several failures and that Instagram influencer with 3 million views you’re obsessed with, lives in a shoe box and cannot spell. Stay focused!

Toxic Positivity

Sometimes, there isn’t a silver lining. Be quick to adjust when things are toxic. Dismiss all of them upon first interaction.

Chasing The Wrong People

Stop forcing connections where there is none. Stop chasing people who have shown they do not want to be caught. Let your line be free from Mr/Ms wrong. How can you catch the right one if you keep the wrong one on your hook?

The belief you don’t deserve the kind of life you want You do, but you need to be willing to show up for it in order to live it. Note to self, once again.

Shame

You did the best you could with the information you had at the time. Reliving your worst moments and punishing yourself won’t change what happened. Learn from it and then move on.

Gossip

Stay out of people’s business. You surely don’t want them in yours.