(Dagny enjoying my cashmere blanket – via Instagram)
It’s the last Monday of 2014. I try not to put much stock in the new year’s being when you MUST start new goals, achieve greatness, etc., etc., BUT it can be a good arbitrary time to take stock of your life thus far.
And as my bloggy friend Debbie Roes did recently, instead of focusing on what I want to accomplish (or things I think I need to work on) in the coming year, I’m going to spend some time reflecting on the things I accomplished THIS year – what I achieved and what I’m proud of; I’d like to sit and just enjoy those things for a while.
I (we) don’t spend enough time celebrating OURSELVES I don’t think – giving ourselves credit for the things we accomplished, the trials we went through and came out of, and generally just feeling satisfied with what we’ve done; as soon as we achieve something important or special, we quickly move on to the next thing.
So, before moving on to the next thing – i.e. 2015 – here are some things I’m proud to have accomplished this year:
- My husband and I started our household austerity program in 2014 and we’re moving along nicely. Slowly, but we’re still mostly on track to be revolving debt-free by the end of next year.
- I started my push towards a more minimal closet in earnest this year, and was so proud to have my journey featured in the Wall Street Journal, alongside Grechen’s Closet partners Everlane & Zady, two companies I admire very much.
- I kept the weight I lost in 2013 off all year (with a few-pound gains/losses along the way), which is really a very big accomplishment for me. Every other time I’ve lost weight, I’ve put it back on – plus quite a bit more – within at least a year. I credit my addiction to Pure Barre mostly, my determination to go as often as possible, and to eat the best that I can.
- I quit coffee for a little over a month this year. If you remember my posts about it, this was a big deal to me also, as I REALLY REALLY love coffee. But I wanted to try it, and was determined, so I did. In the end, I couldn’t tell a significant difference in the way I felt (other than being really really tired around noon every day), so I started drinking coffee again, but I was quite pleased with myself that I was able to quit. Seriously. If I can quit coffee, you’d think I’d be able to do ANYTHING. Added sugar (candy) is next on my list…
- I moved beyond the pain of losing my beloved Ozzie in late 2013 and adopted a new dog, Dagny, this year. She has brought me so much joy, but I was afraid at first. Opening my heart back up was/is an important milestone for me; I tend to shut down when I’m hurt, or feel like I was wronged, sometimes never wanting to open up again – it’s so hard for me to be vulnerable.
- 2014 was my 10th year blogging; the 8th year that blogging/writing is my full-time job. It sounds like a big deal, and I guess it is, but this is one of those things I never really think about as an accomplishment, or anything really significant. Although, I’m pretty sure it is. So, here, I’m acknowledging that acheievement and celebrating it. Thank you all for being here with me, some of you for at least half of those years!
Now, your turn, if you want. Tell us what you’ve accomplished this year you’re proud of. What do you want to spend the last days of 2014 enjoying?
Happy new year 🙂
This are significant achievements, and you can be proud of all of them. Happy new year!
Congratulations Grechen! I agree, it is so easy to get caught up in the coulda, shoulda and wantas that we forget the things we actually achieved. I ran over 220 miles this year and ran my first half marathon. I also achieved some major work goals and am so proud of the wonderful people my 2 daughters are becoming (my biggest achievement!) Here’s to another great year.
You did so many amazing things in 2014! I can’t wait to see what 2015 holds for you 🙂 I really don’t have a lot of BIG achievements from 2014. I got engaged, but that wasn’t really an accomplishment; more like a joyous event. But I did manage to continue my business even with some ups and downs. So there’s that. I also learned that I do have some decorating capabilities, as my house is really starting to come together. Oh, and I found all of the lost socks, so all of my socks have pairs!! It’s the little things that really count 🙂
Those are really awesome accomplishments. Dagny is so darn cute ~ it’s those ears!!
I don’t really look back to see what I’ve accomplished, I’m done with 2014 and look forward to new and exciting adventures in 2015 🙂 Like New Years Day is my favorite holiday !!
Monica.
The weight maintenance is an amazing accomplishment. Congrats
Congratulations on both the big things and the small ones, Grechen! Keeping the weight off is hard work, but you’ve made it a part of your lifestyle…so smart. I’m pleased to say I’ve been one of your readers since the beginning, and it’s been so fun to watch you grow in confidence and your ability to share your hard-earned knowledge. The WSJ!!! That was big.
I’ve had what I’d call a “holding year,” personally, with serious back issues culminating in successful surgery. That was an accomplishment: Not being in pain! And I was able to fully enjoy my eldest daughter’s wedding just 3 weeks later: That was fortitude! I know where I want to go, now I just have to take the steps to get there.
thank you!
so great gloria – wonderful achievements!!
finding all the socks is huge. dagny’s favorite thing now is getting socks, so it’s getting harder and harder for me to have a pair together!!
you have had a wonderful year cathy – here’s to an even better 2015 🙂
thanks monica!!
thank you kathy – it really is…it’s always been a struggle to keep weight off.
yes! pain-free is a big deal…so glad you’re there 🙂