2014: Looking Back & Moving Forward

I love this post my friend J wrote and shared today about what she would tell her 2013 self, if she could go back in time.

As I reflect on the year that was 2014 and prepare for 2015, I decided to do the same.

So to Kathleen Marie in 2013:

1. You truly never know what wonderful opportunities may present themselves in your life. Keep an open mind and an open heart.

2. Be willing to try something new, even if it takes you in a different direction that you thought you were going.

3. Beachbody is a goofy name for an awesome company that will change your life (and so many others) for the better. Get used to hearing/using it along with T25, PiYo, the Fix, X3, Max 30, and Shakeo, on a daily basis.

4. You don’t need to sleep until 7:00 a.m. (or whenever Abby wakes up and comes in to get you out of bed). It’s not the new medication you are on that is letting you believe you need that, at least not for the most part.

5. Just wait until you and Bob start getting up to exercise together every morning at 5:30 a.m. It will be a game changer for both of you! You don’t need to drink a diet caffeinated soda for lunch most days to stay alert and settle your stomach, quite the opposite.

6. You have never been a “shake person,” but when your friend/coach Sarah suggests you start drinking something called Shakeology for breakfast, say “yes” and don’t look back. It will be another game changer for Bob and your health and wellness.

7. Family vacations and weekend getaways with loved ones rock! They are often expensive, but worth it, when you can work them into your schedule and stretch your budget (they help you reconnect, recharge and have so much fun).

8. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You are human and are going to make mistakes.

9. Don’t be so hard on others. They deserve your patience and forgiveness.

10. Failure is actually not a bad thing. Though it seems counterintuitive, you can (and will) learn so much from your mistakes and won’t fear them nearly as much, if you approach them with this new perspective.

11. Blogging isn’t everything. It’s okay if you take time off from writing and/or sharing here.

12. Just because you don’t write every time you feel inspired and compelled to, doesn’t mean you can’t and won’t still write things that are worthwhile to yourself and others.

13. Listen to your gut more often.

14. Take better care of yourself, especially when it comes to getting enough sleep.

15. Try harder to be on time. Seriously! You are almost 40 years old… When are you going to learn to prioritize this?!

16. You are never going to be able to balance everything in your life. Somethings have to give. And that’s okay. Be willing to say “no” more often and be confident in the things you choose to say “yes” to.

17. Bob, Sean, and Abby want, crave, and deserve more of your quality time and attention. That should go without saying, but if we are being honest, you know it is true. They love you so much and will take what they can get, but make them a higher priority every day.

18. PURGE!!! You said you were going to. What happened?! Your house is not primarily a place for you to store things that you and your family don’t use anymore. It’s time to let go and donate, sell, or just get rid of a lot of things taking up too much space in your home (not to mention your mind and body too).

19. People you love are going to die. It sucks. But it is part of life. Don’t pass up opportunities to let your friends and family know how much you care. But also don’t beat yourself up when you realize you didn’t get to say everything you might have wanted to, if you knew it would be the last time you could. They know how much you loved them. Really. It’s okay.

20. You are good enough, smart enough, and people like you! That Stuart Smiley knew what he was talking about back in the day on SNL. That said, not everyone is going to like you and that’s okay too. Try not to get hung up on that. As your mom told you many years ago, “feed the feeders.”

I wish you a safe, healthy, and wonderful 2015!

Happy New Year to you and yours!