New Year, New MINDSET: 7 Life Lessons To Kickstart the Year

Too old for a New Year’s Resolution and too cool for something ‘new’ to jumpstart your start-of-year mood? Take a cue from these 2022 Netflix shows for a ‘brand new you’ this 2023 instead!

When I was young, I believed that whatever you do on the first day of the new year will define what you will do or be that whole year. So for a while there I really make it a point to plan the “salubong” or that hour that meets the new day of the year. This belief held some truth in it, there were a couple of years when I was just building a career when I spent the last hours of the previous year working and just stop to welcome the new year and I coincidentally ended up with the most hectic years at work. There was also a time when my mom and I argued in the first hour of the year and it turned out to be the worst year for my family having to deal with what seemed to be endless challenges and never-ending arguments.

I used to write and broadcast my resolutions on social media, document things to show I was ‘doing something’ towards that promise of a new me for the first few months, and then shift to airing out frustrations and hurdles that excuse me from the failure I am about to be at keeping to the list.

I was sweating it out too much, right? I realized at some point that the gist of it all is to have a mindset that will take you to the places you want to be and reach your goals- not a list of promises you wish to keep to become a better you.

The tradition of welcoming the first day of January by wearing the best clothes and going to nice places, doing what you want to do, writing down your “new year, new me”, and putting coins in your pockets to symbolize good fortune ahead are all just to get you into the mood to grind some more for your dreams. That we do not ring in the new year, not with fireworks, a promise to be a new you, and a bottle of champagne or wine symbolic of future celebrations- we are actually hyping ourselves up to ‘function’ towards that goal we set and sometime setting us up for unnecessary pressure.

But what happens when the fire is slowly becoming small and starts to lose its heat? Come April, you find yourself wondering if after the first few months the goal is still doable with just a ‘few’ months coming. You start doubting yourself that maybe you set the goal so high and maybe it is time to recalibrate. This year, I found myself watching movies and series to calm and comfort myself after a long hard day of working and parenting. I felt like I have only built the hype and that I cannot sustain the enthusiasm anymore and it was evident that I lacked the mental state needed to pursue my dream and make it happen. At first, I just played shows on the side while doing work in advance to be able to have some peace of mind on days that my son goes to school, to free my mind and relax while I prepare for a chaotic tomorrow. But suddenly it felt like I deserved to spend my extra time for myself and I just started binge-watching…even if it meant no sleep for the rest of the day. It became a recurring practice to feed the soul and all I can say is that it felt good to wake up the next morning. Like it's a new day for me to not just function but I am actually a day closer to that dream eventuality and I found myself energized even beyond my 9-5 to actually finish significant parts of my passion projects.

Aside from the days that I have scheduled after-hours for my passion projects, I found myself making time to watch trailers for upcoming shows and actually watching them on the first day or on the immediate weekend. Here are some of the relatable life lessons from some of the Netflix shows I have binge-watched that helped me through the year and some of the many I will take to heart to get to my goals this 2023:

Extraordinary Attorney Woo

When I was in high school, I always dreamed about becoming a lawyer believing I have the mouth and attitude for it and my mom would attest to this. I grew up watching crime and courtroom dramas and I liked them so much it was a big consideration when I applied as a Network Producer so that I can watch their episodes during work hours. What I liked about this show is simple- Atty. Woo never let anything challenge her being and capabilities to quit. Even when she knew there was a possibility to lose, she gave it her best. She never let people tell her what she can and cannot do and her firm grip on what she believes in is truly inspiring. The series comes in a very refreshing format too and even when you know plot twists are coming, you’d feel comforted at the thought of Woo Young Woo’s fighting spirit. That even when people are making fun of her and her disability, she continued to be EXTRAORDINARY. She proved that persistence in the presence of noise and never-ending adversity always wins and it is very inspiring to watch episodes unfold. Not once did she lose herself or throw away her dreams just because people looked down on her.

Adam Project

Spaceship. Dog. Ryan Reynolds. The first two were a treat for my son and the last one is for me (lol). I actually just watched it to get my mind off work and I wanted me and my kid to sit down for a quiet movie night. It was not the tear-jerking-watch-it-again type but two things stood out to me while watching it. One, embrace YOU, and two, when you feel lost, you can always tap the kid in you. Of course, we don’t have time travel (or do we?!) and so I thought of the lessons as symbolic moments that explain the main character's attitude towards his life and what mattered most to him. The answer to Adam’s coldness is to revisit the 12-year-old him that he hated so much and the key to his success is to go back to that moment when he believed he could change the future. The movie does not offer that much depth and the dramatic moments are so fast-paced to even feel something, but that moment of the two Adams in the motel’s gazebo was my favorite. Adam pretty much hated his 12-year-old self and he treated him like some disease he got cured of or escaped from. Little did he know that this kid’s words of wisdom can cure his anger towards the life he lived after the death of his father, and that who the kid was at this age defined the future him- all he had to do was embrace it.

Jirisan

 Growing up watching Charmed and Supernatural, this was a real treat for me. KDrama + low-key supernatural = spellbinding! I literally spent Friday night thru Sat morning watching it. I realized how attracted I really am to great heights and the experience of going up and down a mountain and admiring its beauty, and that it is definitely a view to work hard for. What really struck me the most- aside from the peek into a ranger’s life and how dedicated their lives are- is their will to fulfill their purpose and how they are consistently motivated day through night. Rain or shine, through cold and fire, they risked their lives to protect the mountain and those who visit. Aside from the scenic view that is absolutely breathtaking, the story spotlighted the main characters’ courage and sense of purpose. What I can take away from the show is that passion never leaves you, it is up to you to either feed it more or leave it starving. We all have that undying passion for something and we sometimes put it aside for other things believing it can easily go back to it- BUT WE NEVER DO unless we choose to. Watching the passionate duo solve the mystery of Jirisan under extreme circumstances really added one more beat to my heart as I start rolling out phase one of my passion project.

First Love

This series had me crying from the first episode to the last. This relates so much to me as she struggled as a parent that even if our struggles were different, I felt her pain and frustration. I really admired her for her patience and her diligence. That time when she had to give up the custody of her kid was too painful to watch and I am now tearing up as I type it. First love does not only mean the pursuit of a loving relationship with her first boyfriend but is actually about finding her first love and her journey towards the ultimate dream- to be a flight attendant. Even when she can’t remember due to her head injury, even when she grew up not remembering what she REALLY wanted and just followed what people around her told her to do, she knew it in her heart. The heart knows what it wants and that it only takes courage to take that leap to pursue your dreams- no matter how old you are. The plot is themed as such for all of the characters and that is carved deep into my soul, having been reminded that age is just a number when it comes to fulfilling dreams.

Also, it’s Takeru Satoh, y’all… Need I say more? This guy can really be ANYTHING and nail it!

All of Us Are Dead

This is not an ordinary zombie series and it’s no wonder why Netflix was quick to announce its second season. The plot twist of the story is that while anyone can become a zombie, those who have a STRONG will to live and mental capacity to handle the stress, can control the shift between being a zombie and acting like a human. In the series, a bully who is seeking revenge, a high-IQ student, and the ultimate survivor kid who wants to live for his soulmate, all become zombies but can still converse like humans- basically humans with zombie ‘powers’ and cannot be killed. The series highlights the difference between a will and a desire to live and seemingly rewards the first one whether their intentions are good or bad. Every day is literally the same- your will to LIVE- both being alive and actually living a life, controls your ability to elevate your life. Your desire to live is nothing but a need to get through the day but what makes people different is the will to ACTUALLY ‘live’ and what they do to suffice the hunger to fulfill its mission.

 Gudetama

 “Wow, subconscious imprinting…”

This popular Japanese character is now my son’s favorite Netflix character and I have watched it so many times, I think I need help. The main character, a ‘lazy egg’ or ‘Gudetama’, is the perfect embodiment of depression but still managed to take on an adventure no egg has ever done. Even with hesitations here and there, his listlessness never weighed him down in the pursuit of ‘mommy’ with his ever-eager friend. The strong desire to finish the mission before his expiration powered him through the moments he just wanted to stay put and dwell in his comfort zone. The series also touches on the importance of individuality, showing that even when they are all made to be the same- scrambled egg or pudding- developing who you are will set you apart even if you all seemingly look the same. Gudetama gives a much-needed spotlight on mental health issues and the struggles that come with it while also teaching us how it never had the timing to happen- it just happens. Shakipiyo represents ALL the people around them, an overly enthusiastic external pressure to function. But in the story, this supporting character learns how to understand and deal with his friend’s state and goes on to explain what Gudetama is probably going through to the audience and says out loud what he needs. At first, Shakipiyo was imposing and overwhelming to Gudetama but as they go through their eggstraordinary journey, their goal was so clear that no matter what the struggle was, Gudetama powers through with great physical and emotional support from his friend Shakipiyo. We all need a Shakipiyo in our lives- at home, at work, and even at random places- a person who doesn’t need to share the struggle, but is mindfully considerate. We can all choose to be nice and this series validates what we already know- that small gestures matter. Especially to those who just needed a smile, a simple good morning or hello, and a simple gesture of respect or acknowledgment to get through the day- even if they come from a stranger.  Don’t we all just want to be seen and respected as a person?

 Enola Holmes 2

 I put this last because I have so much to say about how this story about women on a mission gave me the much-needed boost to pick up the slack, but then I remembered I have already dedicated a whole article to rave about it so I will make it quick. This movie series is a nudge especially to women to never be afraid to take up space and that one voice can make a difference. The movie doesn’t alienate men too. It simply shows that we can all be equals, work together, and contribute to a common cause without overwhelming one another.

These are just a few of the many (well, not THAT many) shows that had an impact on my 2022 mood and they may have just changed the way I would steer my 2023. I have been inspired to get up and type or draw away even during those times when I can’t find enough motivation to do so. I hope that you will also find your go-to motivation builder too- be it a sport, artistic outlet, or a stroll in the playground. Just remember that you can always find the fire in you but when you simply can’t, you can always free your mind with a hobby, a good read, or a feel-good movie. Taking a break to re-ignite the passion is a very important part of any journey- you cannot simply go on without rest, without clearing your mind and stepping back to see the bigger picture.

You cannot have a life mission to live life in the future without living NOW. You will either be too tired or too old to do so if you live life sparingly now.

Remember to Embrace Your Weird and stay confidently YOU-Nique!

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