End Your Year Intentionally

A good friend of mine – THANKS JEN! – sent me this article! I loved the writing prompts and decided to turn it into a blog post!

Wrap up your year with these 10 questions. Reflect on your personal growth, acknowledge your mistakes, and savor your success!

https://nosidebar.com/intentionally/

1. What makes this year unforgettable?

This one is pretty obvious, the diagnosis of my father’s lung cancer, his 129 day battle, and his death on June 2nd has impacted me more than anything in my entire life.

Read more on that here: http://www.thepinkshoelaces.com/category/a-fatherless-daughter/

2. What did you enjoy doing this year?

I really enjoy listening to podcasts. I used to rot my brain watching shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Keeping Up with the Kardashians over and over again but now I invest that time in podcasts growing and learning. I listen to podcasts in the car, doing dishes, doing laundry, anywhere and every where I am listening to podcasts or books!

Here’s a post I did on podcasting for newbies: http://www.thepinkshoelaces.com/intro-to-podcasts/

3. What/who is the one thing/person you’re grateful for?

While I’m grateful for so many people in my life, 2019 is the year I met my son Gannon. He is such a joy in our lives.

4. What’s your biggest win this year?

I’ve made so much progress on my mental health and learning to love myself. My anxiety is well managed. My body dysmorphia is at an all time low.

Read more on that here: http://www.thepinkshoelaces.com/living-with-body-dysmorphic-disorder/

5. What did you read/watch/listen to that made the most impact this year? 

Dave Ramsey. Everything and anything Dave Ramsey. We’ve paid off close to $20,000 of debt since April 1st. We’ve completely changed the way we view and handle money.

Read more on that here: http://www.thepinkshoelaces.com/financial-tips-friday/

and here: http://www.thepinkshoelaces.com/financial-friday-week-two/

6. What did you worry about most and how did it turn out?

Speaking of my son Gannon, he’s had some major health issues throughout the year. I spent quite a bit of time worrying about him.

He’s doing well now. He has to have a minor procedure coming up in February. He still struggles with tummy troubles but it isn’t interfering with his everyday life and well being.

You can read more on that here: http://www.thepinkshoelaces.com/gannon-joseph-friedman/

and here: http://www.thepinkshoelaces.com/gannons-big-day/

7. What was your biggest regret and why?

I wish I wouldn’t have binged so much when I was pregnant with Gannon. I so used the excuse “I’m pregnant! I can eat anything I want!” I’m paying for it now carrying around these extra 8 lbs of stubborn weight.

Also, I wish I would have started blogging sooner. I really enjoy it and I’m bringing in an income just three months after launching thepinkshoelaces.com

8. What’s one thing that changed about yourself?

I care so much less of what other people think of me and my life. Their opinion of me is none of my business. I think once you go through something like I went through this past year you realize what and who really matter.

9. What surprised you the most this year?

My ability to stick with things. I’ve always been very “whimmy.” I start and stop and start and stop hobbies all the time. So far I’ve stuck with budgeting and taking control of my money and paying off debt for a solid nine months. I’ve stuck with this blog for three months now. I’m about to jump into training for a half marathon. I can trust myself to set a goal, create a plan, and stick with it even when things get hard.

10. If you could go back to last January 1, what suggestions would you give your past self?

Hang in there. You’re going to lose so much but gain so much more. I wouldn’t trade the person I am today for the person I was one year ago for anything. It’s going to suck. Embrace the suck.

Pick a question and post your response in the comments below!