It’s safe to say that 2020 was a year for the books, and that’s just putting it lightly.
As we head into 2021, firstly, give yourself a congratulatory pat on the back for making it through the tumultuous year that was 2020, and then turn your sights towards a new year, new goals, and (hopefully) renewed sense of self in 2021.
Not only has social media quite literally taken over the world, house prices are sky high, there’s the notion of settling down, getting a puppy and starting a family (of humans) seems more out of reach than ever before… and all of that is on top of the pressures of succeeding in your personal and work life.
Thankfully, this article will highlight a few key ways you can avoid the traps of adulthood and go into 2021 with your head held high.
1. Unplug and unwind
In 2020, social media and screens were used more than ever before. From Zoom meetings to FaceTime, many found themselves plugged in with very little reprieve.
Books have also been used less and less as our go-to fountains of knowledge, and instead we seek advice and answers from Google.
The internet is a beautiful thing, it allows us to buy things, sell things, research things, connect with things and so on, but it can also be overwhelming at times.
Make a commitment in 2021 to limit your time spent online (if possible); do this by putting your phone/laptop/iPad/Apple Watch etc ‘to bed’ at 6 p.m. This will give you a a decent chunk of social-media and screen-free time each evening.
2. Get yourself a financial advisor – no, seriously!
Money is a taboo subject; sometimes people would rather talk about almost anything else. But this avoidance can cause us to make poor financial decisions and miss out on enjoying our life to its fullest potential.
This is exactly where a financial advisor can help, and kicking off a new year with new financial goals is one of the best things you can do for yourself!
Ashley Ruffle is a financial advisor with Edward Jones, and wants to help each and every one of her clients achieve their goals and feel heard.
She strives for everyone she works with to feel informed, comfortable and as if they can shoot for the financial stars.
For the eighth year in a row, Edward Jones ranked “Highest in Investor Satisfaction with Full-Service Brokerage Firms” according to the J.D. Power 2020 Canadian Full Service Investor Satisfaction Study – so you know your money is in good hands.
3. Get outside; your body AND mind will thank you!
Get outdoors, visit the ocean, run through a field of flowers.. or even just sit in a park for a couple of hours. The scientific benefits of just being outside have been proven over and over again.
Those young adults searching for beaches and greenery may be doing the right thing for their mental health, researchers agree, so get out and explore (safely!) if you know what’s good for you.
4. Fill your time with things that make you happy
Chat with a friend, bake some bread, indulge in a bubble bath, wash your sheets, write a love note, meditate, stretch, go for a run, or even pick some flowers – whatever makes you uniquely happy and fulfilled, do more of that!
You may find a lot of your anxieties may disappear once you reconnect with yourself and do more of what makes you smile on a regular basis.
5. Say ‘see-ya’ to expectations and the world failure
This point kind of covers everything to do with being an adult in today’s world.
There’s a big focus on being ‘successful’ and we seem to use the word ‘failure’ too casually.
A huge amount of pressure is laid on to ‘succeed’ at life, whether it’s with friendships, family life, having kids, getting married or/and working your way up the career ladder.
If you can shift your view on failure, and see failures as small nudges towards something a little better, it will be great for your sanity.
6. Self-care; it’s more than just face masks and bath-bombs
Not to say that both of the above are not lovely, because they most definitely are!
But sometimes self-care looks like a long talk with a good friend or family member (even virtually!), a counseling session, or even a good crying session.
If you’re looking to start your year off on the right foot and reach your financial goals, contacting a financial advisor is the way to go.
You can give Ashley Ruffle a call at (250) 727-8685 or email her at ashley.ruffle@edwardjones.com for all of your money-related needs; that will at least take one thing off your plate this tumultuous year!
For J.D. Power 2020 award information, visit jdpower.com/awards
