Hi darlings!
It’s been awhile. I can serve you a load of excuses about how I spent so much time adventuring and getting into gear with a new gig or settling into our new place or preparing for the holidays…la la la la la, but really I just haven’t been inspired to share or be vulnerable.
But now it’s 2016, and I am choosing to be vulnerable and finding inspiration in anything I can get! Last year was the year of Adventure for me. I adventured the heck out of 2015. Some were planned, some were spontaneous, all of them were lovely and stretching. It felt like I helped my spirit develop the habit of adventuring and seeking the adventurous mindset. This year the word GROWTH has latched onto my soul and not let go. I’m not even quite sure what it means yet, but here are some things I think it will begin to mean for me in 2016. If you have other ideas or feedback on any of the following, I would love to hear it via the comments below!
- GROWTH of Finances
I missed out on the class in high school and college where they taught me how to budget effectively and plan for retirement and what the heck a 401k and Roth IRA mean. For much of my childhood, I remember living paycheck to paycheck without a lot of “savings” discussion. In college, there were several times I had less than $10 in my bank account. I’m not saying this for a pity party; I’m just painting a picture that I haven’t been the best at finances, and it’s high time to learn.
2. GROWTH of Employment/ Income
Many of you know that in the Fall of last year, I got my real estate license and began working for the best real estate company out there! Unfortunately, Real Estate is not a fast, get rich quick kind of business. Fortunately, I have learned that it is absolutely where I want to be professionally. I have positioned myself as a well educated, knowledgable professional in my market. I have learned that I LOVE helping clients search for and find their current dream home. I also love that I am now in control of how much I make and the amount that I want to work.
Additionally, I started selling cinnamon rolls for the holiday this last year, and I think it is definitely something to continue pursuing because it was such a great way to spread Christmas cheer! I still use and sell products for Plexus because their company models and products align so well with my philosophy on having a healthy life, taking care of me from the inside out, and not putting crap in my body. Lastly, I want to create some (mostly) passive income for us with an investment property. Loads of people are renting condos and apartments in my college town, and my goal is to capture some of that income for my family.
3. GROWTH of Me
Hubs and I both decided that we would learn Spanish in 2016. I have a bit of a head-start on him since I spent three months in Spain during college. However, I got back and didn’t use it everyday, so it didn’t stick. We got some Rosetta Stone Latin American Spanish for Christmas (thanks W&P!), and we’ve jumped in with both feet!
I joined/ helped create a book club with some amazing chicas because I have learned how reading helps me still expand my vocabulary, speak and write well, and share stories with other lovely people.
I want to read three of Brene Brown’s books this year. I started with a The Gifts of Imperfection, and have already had a couple major aha’s that will definitely impact me and my relationships (particularly with hubs!). I’m still mulling over how it will look for me and how I feel about it, so when the mulling is complete, I will share the story with you. She also has Daring Greatly and Rising Strong that I cannot wait to sink my teeth in to.
4. GROWTH of Family
I want this year to be the one when we add other (little) people to the mix. The jury is out on whether that will be naturally or via foster care or both, but I’m ready. This in particular is one of the things that I was nervous about being vulnerable about. But then people ask about when we are going to have kids or even better they assume and dole out loads of advice on when the right time for us to have kids will be (don’t wait to long/ you’re still young, you don’t want to have kids yet/ what are you waiting for…), and while I don’t think that people should just take the liberties to force that kind of unsolicited advice, I can’t help but think that, particularly with the ones I love, that if I would have just shared that little piece of our story, they would be more understanding and loving and gracious. At least, that is what I hope is the truth. In the meantime, I am largely available to babysit for your tinies a couple of hours to get my baby-fix, so hit me up!
5. GROWTH of Perspective
As social and political events continue to occur, I want to challenge myself to listen to perspectives that are different than my own. I seek relationships with people who are unlike who I grew up with. I have already met some delightful people that fit this bill, but I am open to so many more. The other way I want new perspectives is through traveling. There is so much beauty to be seen in this world and people who live there with stories to tell, so I want to go. I was the luckiest to win a Caribbean Cruise from my work, so I plan to take full advantage of the opportunity to see and fully experience some gorgeous places and people. I’d love to take in a few state parks throughout the year too, so if that goal aligns with yours, let’s go together!
Here is to the year of GROWTH. I am sure more things will come up or I will begin to look back and see how I have grown. I hope to acknowledge and give full weight to celebrating each one. My best to y’all!
Be Brave. Live Loved. Adventure On. Grow Big.
What A Great Ideus