Looking Back... 2014

I was looking back through some old blog posts and I came across some questions I had responded to New Years Eve 2013.  I thought I would chose some other questions and do the same for 2014...

1. What was the most important lesson you learned in 2014?

What other people think of me should not be the driving force behind what I do.  I have learned that it is truly OK to say no and if the person you said no to is annoyed with you, well that's OK too.  I need to make decisions based on what is best for our family, not whether or not I will be approved of in the world.  I have also learned that whether I try to make someone else happy or not, my efforts probably won't change their opinion of me one way or the other.

2. What little things did you most enjoy during your day to day life?


For this I shall need to write a list:

• Morning snuggles with my kiddos
• Afternoon lattes on the deck or couch with Craig
• Family walks to the end of the road
• Spontaneous trips to town
• Fun mail from far away friends

3. What was your favorite compliment that you received this year? 

There are two fantastic compliments that come to mind...

The first is the texts my dad sent as I released parts of a short story that I wrote.  I would often receive "When's the next chapter" as a message on my phone. 

 The second was a list of why I am awesome from one of my sister friends.  Even though it was slightly coerced.  There were things on the list that only someone who knew me really well would be able to compliment me on.  I loved being known and loved in that way.

How would you answer these questions?  Feel free to leave me a comment or a link to your New Years blog post.

3 Meaningful Ways to Welcome The New Year

When I was a little girl, my family had a tradition of chasing the old year out the back door and the new year in the front door, when the clock chimed midnight.  The neighbors must have thought we were crazy, running around the outside of my great grandma's house, yelling and hooting and banging pots and pans.  Or maybe they envied the fun we were having.  Either way the shenanigan is vivid in my memory.

I get a little thrill when I think about a fresh new year ahead of me.  It's like opening an empty notebook to the first page and inking it all up.  Putting your mark on it but never really knowing what the rest of the pages will contain.  

Here are some low key, but meaningful ways to welcome 2015.

3 Meaningful Ways to Welcome The New Year:

Look Back

Carve out a some quiet time between now and January 1 to reflect on the past year.  Think about what was good, what wasn't so good, what you learned, what you're proud of, what you wish you had done...  was there a really big moment in 2014 that you want to remember?  Close our eyes and try to recall that moment using all 5 senses.  What food did you eat?  What did it smell like? Was the day warm and bright or a little cold and drizzly? 

Here is a great list of questions for Your Year In Review.

Realize There are Things You Just Can't Change

In November I participated in the Orange Rhino: Yell Less Love More 30 day challenge.  One of the goals was to recognize the things that I can not change.  The biggest unchangeable for me is other people's opinions of me.  I can't change what you. or my mother, or people on Facebook think about me, but I can do the things that I think are right and good and try to fix my mistakes along the way.  What are the unchangeable things you can relieve yourself of?

Pick 1 or 2 Ways to Be Kinder To Yourself

Create some daily habits that take care of you.  Maybe you want to get more sleep (This breathing tip might help you with that: How I Learned to Fall Asleep in Under 1 Minute).  Or you want to drink more water, read more for pleasure, find more quiet.  You can do it.  Keep your goal small and simple, write it down, tell at least 1 other person about it and you're off... out the start gate of being kinder to YOU!

Leave a comment:

How do you plan to ring in the new year?  What habits do you want to change or develop?