Top 5 Things I Learned This Year

Bachelors, Masters and PhD level shenanigans

This year has been an absolute doozy for me, to be honest. I have wrung my angry fist at the sky, cursing The Universe more times than I care to admit. “What is happening?! What the hell is the point of all this?! WHEN DO I GET TO THE GOOD BIT?!” It’s apparently been a year-long experiment in developing a thick skin, toughing things out and forming some next level, radical self belief.

As I look back on the year, here’s what I’ve learned:

Choose your discomfort

For me, that meant, be uncomfortable where I was, or move and deal with the discomfort of starting over. Neither one is pleasant. I chose to move to Montreal, which has been far from easy, but even on my toughest day here, it’s better than where I was. The discomfort of stagnation or the discomfort of growth is what it really comes down to. You just have to pick one and ride it out.

Your habits anchor you

I know, I know, I can wax lyrical about habits and consistency all day. It’s what I do. But truly, this year I’ve been so grateful for my habits, routines and rituals. While things fell apart, came together, crash landed, got flung up in the air, my habits anchored me and kept me sane. They were my compass. They were my reminder that I have to invest in myself in order for anything else in my life to work. Forming and sticking to good habits is a game changer.

Stop telling yourself you can’t

Three weeks ago, I launched an online spin studio after telling myself for years that I couldn’t do that. It’s been the biggest challenge of my life, the hardest thing I’ve ever done and yet, I’m bloody well doing it. There have been a million hurdles along the way, a million things where my initial reaction was ‘I can’t do this’. I’ve learned to gradually just replace that with ‘I just don’t know how yet.’ Saying that has given me the patience to sit with a problem and try. And frankly, I have amazed myself at the obstacles I’ve overcome with this attitude over the last few months.

Some seasons are for planting, some seasons are for the bloom

This year has been my season of planting. Planting is hard, it’s grunt work, it’s labour intensive. It can be soul destroying because you’re doing all this work and you can’t see the results yet. And we’re human, so we want the praise and adulation and to be able to bask in the bloom, but the bloom never comes if nothing gets planted. I likely won’t see my bloom til well into next year and accepting that fact has helped me embrace my planting season and double down on the work.

Your physical and mental health are all that matter

Literally. That’s it. Without them, nothing else works. If you’re gonna invest in anything, invest in those. Probably the best thing I’ve spent money on this year has been my gym membership. I’ve established a really solid workout routine, switched up my diet, been dedicated to my meditation practice, asked for help when I need it. Without those things in place, the circumstances I’ve found myself in this year would’ve completely overwhelmed me. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, just make sure you’re prioritising those two things, always.

Overall, I’m proud of the way I’ve persevered this year when it seemed like everything was stacked against me.

I’d love to know, what are you proud of yourself for this year? Let me know in the comments.

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Bangs Kick Start Accountability Group

If you’re looking for some guidance and support to ease you into the New Year, get in on my 30 day group life coaching program starting January 1st.

30 days to get you on track and into a good rhythm to kick start the new year. We’ll be establishing a foundation of healthy habits that combine movement and mindset. Conducted through email and a WhatsApp group, you’ll receive daily motivation, encouragement and accountability. There will be tasks in the form of goal setting, journaling and movement practices - in a group of likeminded women, all on their own mission to better themselves and provide an awesome support network. 

Sticking to the commitments you make to yourself is so much easier when it’s nurtured within this kind of incubator that protects your purpose, amplifies your determination and sky rockets your sense of discipline. 

I’m so excited to be facilitating this group and starting the year with this good energy - I’d love you to be a part of it. Click the button below to bag your spot.

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Got a business? Looking to inspire your team?

Wanna do a little something to kick start the year with some good vibes for your team? I’m taking bookings for my New Year workshop in January and February.

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed at the start of the year, or drifting into it feeling directionless, this workshop helps you plan your year with intention.

We’ll replace panic with purpose, giving you a strategy and timelined approach to your goals, breaking your year down into bite-sized chunks that leaves room for all parts of yourself to flourish. We’ll establish what your ‘theme’ for the year will be and ensure that you have the behaviours, decisions and actions in place that align with that and ensure you’re moving towards your goals in a way that feels heart-centred, authentic and doable.

Interested? Shoot me an email at bangs@bangstheconsistencycoach.com and let’s chat.

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This is the last Murmuration of the year. Thank you for being here and reading my words. I appreciate the support so much.

More words and vibes coming at ya in 2024!

Wishing you a beautiful festive season, wherever you are.

Smile at strangers, spread good vibes, be nice to people.