Was 2018 the Worst Year Ever?
"When we accept that hard times will come, that bad things will happen, we’re not being pessimistic; we’re being realistic.”
This was the result of a handcycle crash in 2017. Like 2018, it sucked.
Was 2018 your worst year ever?
C’mon, be honest.
Was it just me, or was your social media feed around New Year’s Eve filled with sentiments like:
“I’m glad that’s over”
“Worst year ever!”
“2018, you sucked!”
Of course, it wasn’t all bad, but the reality on the ground is:
Americans are more divided that ever politically. Regardless of where you stand, left or right, you have to admit there hasn’t been a lot of stability.
Canada has its own woes, in terms of pipelines, or lack thereof, a fentanyl crisis, a weak dollar, etc, etc…
The S&P dropped 2% or more 50+ times last year, compared to just 5 the year prior. Now there’s some volatility.
Our individual levels of stress are increasing. Exponentially.
For me personally, 2018 wasn’t a great year.
Clouded by unnecessary family drama (this might be my understatement of year), 2018 also bought some new health challenges for me. Nerve damage in my hands and forearms made it difficult to be as active as I would have liked, a problem that continues to this day.
Throw in some newbie investor stress in December, and by New Year’s Eve I was in full blown existential crisis.
I know. I’m a “motivational speaker”.
I’m supposed to be immune to existential crises…
I’m not, and neither are you.
We are, all of us, at some point in time going to be pushed to the absolute outer limit of what we can handle.
Here’s what that week taught me.
It’s OK to not be OK.
Sometimes I think we need to sink to the bottom to fully appreciate what we have. The key is to not stay at the bottom; we have to find ways to come back up.
I’m lucky I have Margo, someone who understands this better than anyone, and although I isolated myself for those five or six days, everyone needs someone to talk to. If you don’t have or can’t find someone, find a therapist; call a help line; perhaps write in a journal. Find a way to voice what’s going on for you; it helps.
Do something.
Anything.
Clean the house, walk the dog, make a shopping list, even if you don’t intend to actually shop; you need to do something to get your energy moving, to get some forward momentum.
Margo is THE expert at this. You can read more and download her “Vitality Spectrum” e-mini-book on her website at: www.margotalbot.com
I’m doing way better now, and excited for 2019 and what it will bring.
Last takeaway.
When we accept that hard times will come, that bad things will happen, we’re not being pessimistic; we’re being realistic.
It helps us embrace the downtimes, knowing that they are part of the ebb and flow, the up and down of life.
They make the highs, which I should point out, there were many in 2018, so much sweeter.
So, here’s to our best year yet, 2019!
Bring it on!
Ps
Speaking of bringing it on, I’ll be in Australia from Jan 24 until Feb 20 2019.
If you’re interested in bringing me in to speak to your group or team, we should talk.
warren@warren-macdonald.com