12-Months

This time last year, my life had just been decimated. It started in the spring with the break-up, followed with an unclear living situation, problems at work, Byron needing surgery, and culminated with me paying $40k in private student loan payments (goodbye savings). By the end of August I felt hollowed out. I was still standing, but it felt more like I was teetering on the rubble of what had been my life. 

It was a blurry time where I did what I needed to do to get through - I cut unnecessary expenses (including therapy and my amazing hairdresser), stuck with the roomie and long commute, worked my ass off on the job, and figured out how to pay for Byron's surgery. Each day I focused on putting one foot in front of the other and handling whatever came my way. After awhile, I moved onto each week, and then each month, until the ground started to feel steady again. 

It was a new foundation, but one that was starting to feel steady underneath my feet. I began to live my life again instead of just existing - I started this blog, I dated, I demanded more from work, and I realized how much stronger I had become. Not only did I get my confidence back, but I found my inner-strength again. It had been a long time since I had to re-build myself, but I discovered that I still could and was discovering that I was much better at it now then when I was 22.

As it turned out I wasn't just surviving, I was thriving. Heading into spring, Byron was doing well, my bank account was back to a reasonable balance, I had expanded my responsibilities at work, and I was getting ready for an amazing 3-week vacation for Peru; and that was when life threw me another curve ball. The Monday before I left for Peru I was called into my boss's office and offered a management position. It was a complete surprise and not exactly what I had been hoping for, but they pushed hard for me to take it - I was fast tracked through the process and didn't have to interview - and I had to decide before I left on Friday. After a restless night weighing the pros and cons, I accepted and got to work closing out 2.5 years of work in 4 days while also prepping for a new role. It was a crazy, long week, but followed by one of the best vacations I have ever had.

When I got back from Peru, I looked around and realized what a 180 my life had taken in the last 12-months. I've always maintained that given time everything will work out - the problem is that I have also always been impatient and haven't exactly listened to my own advice. As I looked around at all of the good things happening - new job, raise, position on the Board of my networking group, fun dates, new friends - I couldn't help but realize that it was time to take my own advice and stop worrying about what was next and just focus on what was happening now. So as I start my 32nd year on this earth, this is my resolve:  I will spend this year remembering that time will pass and me worrying about it will not make a difference, as such I am going to appreciate the now and not try and rush to the next step. Hopefully this is a good reminder to all of you to stop and smell those roses!