Greetings everyone, and welcome back to my blog. I want to take the time to renew my wishes to each and every one of you. May this new year bring you peace, happiness and lots of opportunities. I am extremely thankful to start the new year with all my regular readers and some new ones.
Every year, the familiar caption “New Year, New Me” echoes through conversations and specially on social media. However this year, I want us to do better. Instead of “New Year, New Me” why not try “New Year, Better Me” ? Instead of changing completely who we are without any personal assessment, let’s try do identify what works and what does not, and try to work on them. This is why I decided as my first article for the year, to list a few things we need to STOP doing this year. By doing so, we will nurture a culture characterized by tolerance, kindness, and love.
Here are my top 8
1. Refusing to greet people : If there is one thing that people do that I really don’t understand or agree with, is not greeting others when they enter a place. Having grown up in the Haitian culture, we have at least once, faced the annoying situation where our parents practically forced us to greet people when we enter a room, and by greeting I mean kissing every single person in a room full of people. It’s mostly because they believe that being a polite individual means that you need to greet everyone upon arrival. While it’s not necessary to physically “kiss” everyone, I firmly believe that a simple good morning or good afternoon can go a long way in fostering positive interactions. Otherwise, you may encounter one of those petty people who could make a comment like “Did I sleep next to you last night?” LOL
2. Not saying thank you : I get so flustered when I let someone go before me as I am driving, and they don’t honk or offer a wave as a way to say “Thank you”. Lately, I’ve observed that this behavior may stem from a cultural perspective where Haitians always feel so entitled, and forget that people do things mostly out of courtesy. If I hold the door for you, you need to say thank you. No one is obligated to assist others, but expressing gratitude for such gestures is a simple way to acknowledge and appreciate the goodwill of others.
3. Making comments about someone’s size : In one of my latest articles, I speak about body shaming. I really hope that this year we take other people’s feelings in consideration, and stop making them feel bad about their sizes. It’s not our job to tell someone they have gained or lost weight. It’s time to be more mindful of the impact our words can have on others. Let’s refrain from making unsolicited remarks about people’s bodies and instead focus on promoting positive body image and self-acceptance.
4. Supporting your “friends” only if you can get something in return : I remember the year I launched my blog, it took me by surprise how some of my friends didn’t support me in any way. It still feels as if they are expecting me to ask them what they think of my work or to ask them to share my articles. On the other hand, I have friends who have small businesses that often get asked if they will give discounts to people for the sake of “friendship”. Supporting a friend should come naturally; it should be genuine. If you expect something in return, it’s two things : either you are not a good friend or you simply don’t believe in your friend.
5. Asking people when they’ll get married/have kids : Just like the issue of body shaming, this is also one of the plagues of our society that we need to ban. The issue of infertility is not often taken in consideration when people ask those questions. Let people do their thing in their own time. 
6. Minimizing someone’s accomplishments : I was telling a friend earlier this week that she should celebrate every single thing she accomplishes at work, no matter how small it is. Some people make it their mission to always downplay everything you do. Some do it to motivate you, others don’t have any valid reasons. Whenever someone is proud of an accomplishment, although you may not see it as something big, for that person it could mean the world. It’s important to recognize the unseen efforts, the tears, and the sweat that went into making it possible.
7. Taking things personally : In the pursuit of personal development, it’s crucial to develop resilience and avoid taking everything personally. Not every comment or action is a reflection of our worth; by accepting that, we can make place for healthier interactions and personal growth. Sometimes we need to sit back and let people talk. It could be hard at first, but as long as it doesn’t really affect you, try to cultivate a culture of “It is what it is”. People will talk, and you have no power over it.
8. Asking people why they’re still living in Haiti : I’ve talked about this on the blog already (here) and I will say it again : If you had the opportunity to leave the country and you are living a much better life than before, you are very fortunate. Be grateful and thank God, but also keep in mind that not everyone is that fortunate. There are so many reasons that can prevent someone from leaving, although they may want to. It’s not up to us to tell them that they should flee their country. I want to believe that everyone who stayed knows that the country is no longer liveable. Don’t add on the stress!
In embracing a “New Year, Better Me” perspective, let us commit to stop doing those 8 things mentioned above. By fostering a culture of respect, gratitude, and understanding, we can collectively contribute to personal growth, and the creation of a more compassionate and supportive society. May this year be the reflection of a journey toward a better version of ourselves !
That’s all I have for today guys. I hope you enjoyed reading this article and will share it with your friends and family. Until we meet again, stay safe and be blessed…always!!!