Is it just me, or did 2016 just fly right by? I still remember last New Year’s Eve so clearly, like it was yesterday! I decided then that I was done with repeating the same mistakes of always complaining about life but never actually doing anything about it. Hence, in 2016 I set out to work on my blog, my freelance business, really focus on self-growth and just live. This is exactly what I did, which is why 2016 will always have a special place in my heart.
Naturally, this New Year I want to take things up a notch. I want to elevate my goals and do more than just ticking things off of a check-list. Last night, I was just reflecting on life in general and stumbled upon an epiphany (I do that a lot, btw). I realized how blessed I am and yet I fail to truly optimize all that I have. I have amazing parents who always made sure that nothing stood in the way of my freedom and I am always going to be so thankful for that. I have amazing friends who have always been such big contributors to my self-growth and are such an amazing support system. I have worked hard and achieved so much in terms of academics and career goals. Thus, it would be stupid, considering all of the good that I have in my life, to not fully take advantage of it all.
Therefore… my ongoing resolution, not just 2017, would be to eliminate the myth of having constraints and to live life boundlessly. I have the advantage of having all kinds of freedom, I just never saw it that way. I have personal freedom, considering I am the master of my own life and I get to do whatever I deem fit. I worked hard to build my career and so I have the financial freedom to make decisions that help me get closer to my goals. Thanks to my amazing friends and family, I have the social support system and the freedom of knowing I have people who care if shit ever hits the fan. Being a citizen of such an amazing country like Canada that continues to support human rights and gives its citizens the privileges that many fail to give is a form of freedom none of us should ever take for granted. Hence, considering all of this, it is my duty to ensure that I live my life optimally and not waste the blessings that have been bestowed upon me.
I had this neat analogy that I was sharing with my mom the other day. Many people, in this case fish, live their lives in constraints, aka, aquariums. Hence, they try their best to live the best they can by making such aquariums their homes, exploring it, familiarizing themselves with it, and simply being happy with what they have. Now, if you’re the gang of fish from the movie Finding Nemo, are successful at escaping the aquarium and manage to dive into the ocean, you’re one of the very few, unique souls on the planet. However, if we just continue living in the same manner that we did when we were in the aquarium by just circling around the same, limited radius without ever venturing in to the unknown, what was the point of escaping in the first place? Sure, maybe you’re doing more than what you did when you were trapped, but are you still doing all that you can? That is the question I am going keep asking myself henceforth.
Yes, I have a job but is it the the job? Yes, I like traveling but am I truly exploring? Yes, I read but am I comprehending? Yes, I am practicing my creativity but am I experimenting fearlessly? Am I? No, I am not! And I need to change that. My resolution for 2017 is to live more. It is to truly rejoice, to really breathe and take in the wonderful phenomenon of living. It is to genuinely and curiously explore, not only places but myself and the culture that surrounds me. The culture of music, the culture of literature, the culture of love. My resolution is to explore life and all of its wondrous beauty without the fear and the doubt we often construct around it. To truly discover living in all its forms, both the ugly and the good.
And that is my resolution that I will continue to improvise over the years, not just 2017.
Thanks Fatima for writing such an inspiring post ! It is true we often fail to utilize our full potential. Being grateful is the best way to feel fulfilled plus the constraints in life push us to practice our creativity to the maximum.
Best of Luck for the New Year ! ?
Thank you so much for the compliments! Best of luck for 2017 I am so sure its gonna be nothing short of amazing 🙂
That post really resonates with me – living bounless is such a beautiful way to put it. I rarely take the time of thinking about how lucky I am to have a chance to work hard, grow, and get the opportunities I have. And your pictures are stunning!
I am so glad the post resonated with you 🙂 Thanks so much for the lovely feedback! I hope your 2017 is full of excitement and happiness!
I loved this post and the way you wrote it! 2017 sounds like it will be a great year for you as well. xo
Thank you so much for the compliments. Happy 2017 🙂
Happy New Year! I like the way you think – optimistic and charging forward. This will be a good year!
Happy New Year! Such an uplifting post!
Your jacket is amazing. I love it.
Here’s to an amazing 2017. You’re right, 2016 seemed to fly by.
Love that mink coat and the nose thing that you are wearing. Suits you.
Thank you so much!
I think it’s great that you’re taking what happened last year and going with it, building upon it. That’s how I tend to choose my goals for each new year, too – based on what did and didn’t work in the previous year.
It’s funny isn’t it, how much our minds are turned toward this hope of new beginnings? January is magical for me – it’s always a fresh start.
Yes, I totally agree. The idea of new beginnings has always seemed magical to me. I hope your 2017 is full of new adventures and excitement 🙂
I found we share so many things and thoughts in common. I have a great parents(family) that always have my best interest, they gave me a great education(2 master degrees) and everything I ever wished for. I have amazing, supporting friends…best partner and wonderful son. We should really count our blessings daily, just to remind ourselves to be happy for what we have instead of longing for something we might lacking at the moment. As for escaping the aquarium, I had that moment 7 years ago when I moved alone to USA from one small country in Eastern Europe, leaving that same parents, my only sister, all friends and everyone and everything I have known of till that moment. Luckily, everything worked out for me. “Only those who will risk going to far can possibly find out how far one can go.” T.S. Eliot Btw, I loved your outfit, that fur coat looks amazing on you. You are so pretty. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Reading your comment really reminded me of the beauty of struggles and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Thank you so much for the lovely compliments I really hope and wish your 2017 and all the years to come are filled with more beautiful struggles and adventures 🙂
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year 🙂
Such an inspiring read this. I consider myself to be one of the fortunate ones who has jumped from the aquarium into the sea, but I often forget that. Thank you for reminding me of how fortunate I really am. I wish you all the best for 2017! 🙂
Thanks so much for the compliment. I am so glad you found the post inspiring. I really hope and wish your 2017 is all grand and exciting 🙂
Happy New Year! I love the New Year, the fresh start! It is so motivating! Good luck and I wish 2017 is a great year for you!
Yes, New Years have always had the ability to inspire us all 🙂 Happy 2017
I too would like to eliminate the myth of having constraints and to live life boundlessly.
Great forever resolution!
Yes to eliminating the myth of constraints! Happy 2017 🙂
great ongoing goals to live life to the fullest and have no constraints, I thinks that is the best way to be for me anyway as well. This past year flew by and hoping to slow down a little as I get older and just enjoy each day!
Yes 2016 really did flow by but was full of such inspiring lessons! Happy 2017 🙂
I LOVE YOUR JACKET!! Looks great on you! Now I need to find one. 🙂
Thank youuu! 🙂 Its from Forever21 haha
What a great new year resolutions! I think we should go with the flow and live in the moment. By the way, I love the coat.
Yes I love that! Happy 2017
That’s a great resolution, and I loved your fish and Finding Nemo analogy. Good luck living life to the fullest!
Thank you so much! I am glad you loved the analogy 🙂 Happy 2017!
I think we all want that change or that fantastic year but don’t know how to really achieve it. I like how you really confirmed to make it we have to not only think it or see it but reach and work for it.
Thank you! I have always believed that reflecting on yourself and what surrounds you really helps you clarify what you want and what you need to do 🙂 Happy 2017
Your resolution to live more is what need to hear today. Inspiring post! Thanks
I am so happy you found some inspiration in the post 🙂 Thank you! Happy 2017!
I do hope you have a wonderful year and that your far surpass all your goals and resolutions!
I hope the same and more for you 🙂 Thank you!
That’s simply delightful! I think it’s an awesome resolution. There’s nothing like making the most out of your year and in order to do that you would most certainly have to live more.
Thank you so much! I hope your 2017 is filled with joy and excitement!
Gorgeous photos lady! I’m glad you are living up to a life of adventure. Cheers to 2017!
Thanks so much! Happy 2017 🙂
2016 was a challenging year but it also surprisingly flew by. I like your resolution, to live more means to experience life more!
Yes, 2016 was challenging but filled with such inspiring lessons! I hope your 2017 is awesome!
Love your coat! Great post.
XO,
Allie
https://alliesfashionalley.com/2017/01/under-100-valentines-day-gifts-for-her-and-him/
Thank you 🙂
As much as I’m in awe over your beautiful set of clothing, I agree with “living more”. It just sounds like a total comeback to what we all lost last year.
Great resolution. We made our goal to step out of the boundaries 2 years ago and haven’t regretted a single day. Good luck in 2017