The year 2021 had been a year where we all learn to live with Covid-19. For some of them, it could be a truly hopeful year where they seized the opportunity to go on trips or visit family and friends back home. Around the world, people have similar reactions to this “new normal” and build consensus around them. Perhaps three words to sum up 2021 will be living through choice.

The greatest shifts in my own life have come from living more intentionally. Intentionally living is asking myself why I do things and then being happy with the answers. If I am not happy with what I see, I will make changes accordingly. No one has everything figured out, but it’s okay to make mistakes. Nothing changes unless I take the courage out to make it happen. So I decided to do what matters most to me. From choosing to prioritize experiences, family, play, connection, exploration, and my health. Choosing to prioritize them now created a structural shift in how I live which requires leaving permanent changes in my behaviours. With consistency and perseverance, those small and repeated efforts made were the conscious decision to elevate one’s life priorities.

I came to realize that it won’t always be easy, but it’s better than living life feeling empty and exhausted. There is no finish line. Little by little with constant communication with yourself and making small adjustments every day will create a life in which you matter.

On the whole, we have to accept life is nothing more than a series of choices, and that we have a say in these choices. Let’s see this through to 2022. What would make your life more meaningful? It doesn’t just happen so the decision has to start somewhere. Starting making that choice to manifest the things that matter to us. Let’s stay focused on the things that matter.

“Plant seeds every single day that you know who you are, you know what you’re about, and you know what goals you’ve set for yourself.” – Stephen Curry, Athlete