Goodbye 2016, Hello 2017!

I’m ready to call it. 2016 was a weird year. When I look back at everything that’s happened in my life, on the surface it’s not really one I’d care to relive. There were family members with health issues, unexpected deaths, stressful periods at work, supporting friends through catastrophic and life changing events. There seemed to be an unprecedented amount of bad in the world and within my circle of family and friends.

For most of 2016 I think I’ve been dwelling on these negative events and incidents. I’m naturally a realist and can fall into the glass-half-empty mindset, which has been easy to do with the seemingly continuous amount of shit that’s piled on event after event. Instead of allowing that crass attitude or depression to consume me and allow me to forever remember 2016 as a negative year, I wanted to take a look at six awesome things that I was able to accomplish this year (big and small!) despite all of the aforementioned. And, I challenge you to do the same. Look at your life through a different light and be appreciative of another year of life you’ve lived and how much stronger 2016’s struggles have made you. 2017 is only a few days away and I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to make it the best year yet!

1. New Job. In June I took the plunge and left my previous employer of 5 years and moved on. It was way outside of my comfort zone and has of course been an adjustment, but it’s been a great opportunity!
2. Travel. I had the chance to travel to many different states and countries this year both for work and fun. The opportunity to see new places, experience new cultures, and make new memories never gets old. My favorite travel memory from 2016 was hiking the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail to the Haiku Stairs.
3. Working with a Photographer. At the beginning of 2016 I started working with a professional photographer for the majority of my blog content. This investment has helped take my blog to the next level, and free up some of my time to focus more on building my blog and creating content.
4. Hiked Gothic Basin. In 2015, I attempted to hike Gothic Basin with friends. I was unable to complete the hike, but in 2016, I went back and completed it! And this time in the snow.
5. Hosted our first Thanksgiving. Despite my initial adverseness to hosting our first holiday, in hindsight it was so much fun to share our home with our family for a holiday. Plus, I got to decorate!
6. Family Photos. After years of dreaming about professional photos for my family, I finally did it! In the midst of all the 2016 craziness, these photos were a welcome break where we could focus on the wonderful love in our family.

I’m looking forward to making 2017 the best year yet. I have a feeling that it’s going to be an incredible year; after all, I love numbers with a 7 in them (in 2017, I’m 27 and my birthday is on April 17). So here’s 7 things I’m looking forward to in 2017:

1. Renewed focus on health and fitness. With all the stress in 2016, while my healthy lifestyle didn’t fall off my radar, it did suffer a little bit and my progress was not where I would have liked it to be. I’m planning on kicking it into high gear for 2017!
2. Learn to love my body (again). Now that it’s been 2 years in my “new body” post weight loss, I’ve found that I’ve reverted back to some negative body talk and thoughts about myself.
3. Finding balance. With all the personal changes I went through this year (such as a new job that quadrupled my commute time), I need to find my new work-life balance and schedule. Even though I’ve been at the new gig for six months, it’s still a work in progress.
4. Paying off debt. Student loans, car payments, mortgage, credit cards… so many bills so little money. In 2017 I want to put a plan together to get some of these paid off (or at least paid down).
5. Giving back. I’m not yet sure how I want to give back, whether monetarily or giving my time or expertise, but this year I would like to become more involved and give back to my community.
6. Completing a race. I would love to do a cycling race at some point, not because I’m fast, but because I want to prove to myself that I can do it and complete it. I’m terrified at the thought of signing up for a race!
7. Sharing stories. I love telling my personal journey and experiences, but I also know so many inspirational men and women. I hear their stories, and I want to share those with you too so that you can be inspired!

None of these are resolutions. Instead they’re goals that I’m striving for throughout 2017 and beyond. These won’t all fall into place perfectly on January 1, 2017. They will take time and effort, there will be setbacks and there will be successes, but that’s all a part of the journey!