20 Questions for a New Year’s Reflection
1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
I dont know that I can really pinpoint a "single best thing" that happened to me. I had a lot of great things happen. If I had to sum up my year though, I'd say one of the greatest things that happened to me is that I became more comfortable and confident in who I am as a person and as a mother. I've also learned that life is brutiful (brutal + beautiful) and the only way to live life is to live it authentically.
I dont know that I can really pinpoint a "single best thing" that happened to me. I had a lot of great things happen. If I had to sum up my year though, I'd say one of the greatest things that happened to me is that I became more comfortable and confident in who I am as a person and as a mother. I've also learned that life is brutiful (brutal + beautiful) and the only way to live life is to live it authentically.
2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
I am all about keeping it real, so I will openly admit that the most challenging thing that I have gone through this year has been adjusting to my role as mother and wife. I feel like I am good at each of those things individually, but struggle to be good at both simultaneously. When it's just Ed and I we are good. When I focus primarily on being a mom, though, I tend to be less than a stellar wife.
I am all about keeping it real, so I will openly admit that the most challenging thing that I have gone through this year has been adjusting to my role as mother and wife. I feel like I am good at each of those things individually, but struggle to be good at both simultaneously. When it's just Ed and I we are good. When I focus primarily on being a mom, though, I tend to be less than a stellar wife.
3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
I don't know if this is technically classified as a joy, but I would say becoming more settled in Memphis was a "joy". Once I had P and became a little more...settled...I tried to embrace the city in which we live and its people. Let's not get carried away here...Memphis is not my ideal place. I definitely don't love it and I am hesitant to say I even like it there...but Memphis and I have made become comfortable with one another. It's a bittersweet relationship. I loathe Memphis....but some of its people have become near and dear to my heart.
I don't know if this is technically classified as a joy, but I would say becoming more settled in Memphis was a "joy". Once I had P and became a little more...settled...I tried to embrace the city in which we live and its people. Let's not get carried away here...Memphis is not my ideal place. I definitely don't love it and I am hesitant to say I even like it there...but Memphis and I have made become comfortable with one another. It's a bittersweet relationship. I loathe Memphis....but some of its people have become near and dear to my heart.
4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
As you will see littered throughout this list one of my largest obstacles this year has been time management and my ability to prioritize. I have grand ideas....not so proficient on the execution at this point.
As you will see littered throughout this list one of my largest obstacles this year has been time management and my ability to prioritize. I have grand ideas....not so proficient on the execution at this point.
5. Pick three words to describe 2012.
Fun - Ed and I were able to take a weekend trips, P and I took a couple of trips to Connecticut, and we actually made friends!
Stressful - Having a baby is hard work folks. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It's even harder when you are 1,000 miles away from most of the people you love and your husband is gone 12 hours a day.
New - New life (my little P was only 4 weeks old when 2012 started). New friends. New business. New perspective.
Fun - Ed and I were able to take a weekend trips, P and I took a couple of trips to Connecticut, and we actually made friends!
Stressful - Having a baby is hard work folks. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It's even harder when you are 1,000 miles away from most of the people you love and your husband is gone 12 hours a day.
New - New life (my little P was only 4 weeks old when 2012 started). New friends. New business. New perspective.
6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2012—don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you. (If you’re not married, have fun guessing the answers from other friends and family, or just skip this question.)
Oy -- he has bared the brunt of my angst this year...I would dare say he would describe my 2012 as: hormonal, trying, and stressful
I cheated and asked him what 3 words he would choose (after I picked the 3 I thought)....just to see what he would say he chose: stressful, normalcy, and fun. He's pretty spot on.
Oy -- he has bared the brunt of my angst this year...I would dare say he would describe my 2012 as: hormonal, trying, and stressful
I cheated and asked him what 3 words he would choose (after I picked the 3 I thought)....just to see what he would say he chose: stressful, normalcy, and fun. He's pretty spot on.
7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2012—again, without asking.
I think he would say his year was fun, educational, and trying [he did have a batshit crazy wife and an infant, after all ;-)]
He chose fun, fulfilling, and exciting.
I think he would say his year was fun, educational, and trying [he did have a batshit crazy wife and an infant, after all ;-)]
He chose fun, fulfilling, and exciting.
8. What were the best books you read this year?
While I didn't have time to read as many books as I would have liked, the ones that I did read were, overall, pretty outstanding. My 3 favorites were Gone Girl, The Passage, and The Language of Flowers. All vastly different. All amazing.
While I didn't have time to read as many books as I would have liked, the ones that I did read were, overall, pretty outstanding. My 3 favorites were Gone Girl, The Passage, and The Language of Flowers. All vastly different. All amazing.
9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
I think that Ed and P go without saying. They are the reason I get out of bed in the morning and they make my life so much more fulfilling. While I love them, and all of my friends, I'd say some of my most valuable relationships this year were either my oldest friends or my newest friends. KKM is forever my rock and giver of perspective. I didnt even see her in 2012 but she was there consistently via text, phone, and FaceTime. I needed her more this year than (maybe) ever. The newest friends I made in Memphis were also invaluable....getting out of the house, having other moms to talk to, and having friends for P has really changed things.
I think that Ed and P go without saying. They are the reason I get out of bed in the morning and they make my life so much more fulfilling. While I love them, and all of my friends, I'd say some of my most valuable relationships this year were either my oldest friends or my newest friends. KKM is forever my rock and giver of perspective. I didnt even see her in 2012 but she was there consistently via text, phone, and FaceTime. I needed her more this year than (maybe) ever. The newest friends I made in Memphis were also invaluable....getting out of the house, having other moms to talk to, and having friends for P has really changed things.
10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
This is tough to answer because change often happens so gradually. I can't really look back on the year and see that I am vastly different in any way. If anything has changed I would say that I have tried to come out of my shell a bit through new friendships and growing my business. I have also had to work on patience a great deal, but lets face it...thats a constant struggle.
This is tough to answer because change often happens so gradually. I can't really look back on the year and see that I am vastly different in any way. If anything has changed I would say that I have tried to come out of my shell a bit through new friendships and growing my business. I have also had to work on patience a great deal, but lets face it...thats a constant struggle.
11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
This year it has become increasingly important for me to be able to speak my mind and voice my feelings. It was only Ed and my second year of marriage and our first year of parents, so we had some rocky spots....it really required us to speak openly and honestly.
This year it has become increasingly important for me to be able to speak my mind and voice my feelings. It was only Ed and my second year of marriage and our first year of parents, so we had some rocky spots....it really required us to speak openly and honestly.
12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
I wish I could say that I became more involved in a church community, but that is not the case. Spiritually, though, I have become more comfortable in the thought that God will not give me anything that I can't handle. I have also realized that I need to trust in His plan forme us and let go of the things that I cannot control.
I wish I could say that I became more involved in a church community, but that is not the case. Spiritually, though, I have become more comfortable in the thought that God will not give me anything that I can't handle. I have also realized that I need to trust in His plan for
13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
Physically I have gotten (almost) down to my pre-baby weight. Okay, that's probably a lie. I still have about 15 lbs until I am there, but after gaining 65 lbs I'd say that's pretty good. I got some of my muscle tone back and hope to get back to where I want to be in 2013.
Physically I have gotten (almost) down to my pre-baby weight. Okay, that's probably a lie. I still have about 15 lbs until I am there, but after gaining 65 lbs I'd say that's pretty good. I got some of my muscle tone back and hope to get back to where I want to be in 2013.
14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
Because I was a new mom at the beginning of 2012, I feel like I made for of a consistent effort to be a better friend. I phoned or texted my friends more consistently, made sure that I was present and attentive to what was going on with them, and overall just put more effort into cultivating new relationships and maintaining those that are important to me. Granted, I wasnt always successful and I am, by no means, a perfect friend...but I didn't want to lose that part of myself because I became so wrapped up in my own stuff.
Because I was a new mom at the beginning of 2012, I feel like I made for of a consistent effort to be a better friend. I phoned or texted my friends more consistently, made sure that I was present and attentive to what was going on with them, and overall just put more effort into cultivating new relationships and maintaining those that are important to me. Granted, I wasnt always successful and I am, by no means, a perfect friend...but I didn't want to lose that part of myself because I became so wrapped up in my own stuff.
15. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
In the spring of 2012 I became an independent stylist for Stella & Dot, which I love. It gives me the flexibility to work when I want to/have time to, as well as cut back when I have other things that are more pressing. It's been awesome being a stay at home mom, raising my boy, but also having something else that I can focus on.
In the spring of 2012 I became an independent stylist for Stella & Dot, which I love. It gives me the flexibility to work when I want to/have time to, as well as cut back when I have other things that are more pressing. It's been awesome being a stay at home mom, raising my boy, but also having something else that I can focus on.
16. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
The challenging part with my work is that its been difficult for me to juggle my time (and priorities) and work from home with a little one. I tend to want to play with P and relax during his nap times rather than make the necessary phone calls to make my business thrive.
The challenging part with my work is that its been difficult for me to juggle my time (and priorities) and work from home with a little one. I tend to want to play with P and relax during his nap times rather than make the necessary phone calls to make my business thrive.
17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
Unfortunately, I can think of many time wasters. Like many people, I spend way too much time playing around online (facebook, pinterest, etc), watching ridiculously bad tv, and stressing out about things that are really not all that important. I am already making a conscious effort to figure out how to manage my time better in the coming year!
Unfortunately, I can think of many time wasters. Like many people, I spend way too much time playing around online (facebook, pinterest, etc), watching ridiculously bad tv, and stressing out about things that are really not all that important. I am already making a conscious effort to figure out how to manage my time better in the coming year!
18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
My time was, most definitely, best spent being a mom. I have loved watching my little boy grow physically and mentally. It's been challenging at times, but it has been so rewarding. As he gets older I cannot wait to be able to take him more places and do more things with him!
My time was, most definitely, best spent being a mom. I have loved watching my little boy grow physically and mentally. It's been challenging at times, but it has been so rewarding. As he gets older I cannot wait to be able to take him more places and do more things with him!
19. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?
To trust myself. As a woman, a mother, a friend, and a business owner. Only I really know what I need/want and I need to trust myself to make the best decision.
To trust myself. As a woman, a mother, a friend, and a business owner. Only I really know what I need/want and I need to trust myself to make the best decision.
20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2012 for you.
The days are long...and the years are short.
The days are long...and the years are short.
Here here the Days are Long the Years Shorts.
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