Well… friends… family, here we are again!
As we begin to come to a closing of yet another year and another decade, let’s reflect… shall we?
I certainly partake in the habit of examination quite more frequently than solely at the beginning and ending of each year, but now feels like an relevant time to proclaim my thoughts on the past 365 days outwardly. Before sitting to jot this down, I reviewed my post from last year (Cheers, 2018.) I thought it might be enjoyable to review a few of those points I made and take a look at how I brought them to life following the reflective moments a year ago.
At the end of 2018, I wrote:
More is not always the answer.
Ziggy will argue that I am a minimalist fraud BUT in my defense, my ability to bounce from perspective to perspective merely presents an eternal battle between cravings and necessities that he observes far too often. I say this, because innately I am attracted to less (of basically anything) as it pertains to quantity and more as it pertains to quality. I would be gloriously satisfied with a capsule wardrobe of, say, 30 pieces that hold exceptional and ethical quality rather than an abundance of options. Quite honestly, I become overwhelmed when my options are plentiful. I can relate this to food, as well. In past years, I’ve struggled with eating in excess for means of comfort, or binge eating during emotionally rocky points in life and to combat this over the past year I have worked incredibly hard as the cessation of these habits by slowing down during any moment of consumption and become mindful of what is entering my body. Also related, about a month ago, I gave up red meat and chicken, adapting a Pescatarian lifestyle - which I adore and is treating my body wonderfully. I find myself much more inclined to opt for a well prepared, smaller meal rather than gorging on previously beloved comfort foods. To continue, financial health can be under this concept, tenfold. I have learned over the year that it is not about having more money, but rather doing more with the money you already have. I have also come to the realization that more money is never the answer to happiness or true fulfillment and certainly not the answer.
Protect your peace.
Ah, this. So much, this. Protect your peace. Over this past year, I fully sank (and continue to sink) into the notion that everything and anything, out of your own control is purely that; out of your own control. The behaviors of others, the words of others, the beliefs of others have NOTHING to do with you and have everything to do with the individual. We are on our own journeys. Protect our peace means becoming untouchable by guarding our energy with strength and patience. We must become accountable for how we live our lives. We must understand that we are in control of how we feel, how we respond and how we act. I have worked this muscle for the entirety of this past year and it will be something I groom in perpetuity.
You must be in love with the work.
Yes, Kelly from a year ago! Yes! This statement could not be more undeniably relevant at this point in time. Throughout 2019, I practiced ruthless and brutal honesty with myself. I dug into my life in all of its corners and evaluated what was happening in my career. For anyone that doesn’t know me personally, I have been in the space of Retail Leadership and Store Management for about 8 years. Retail is all I have ever truly know, in a full-time and full-commitment sense. As I started the journey of reevaluating my career path, I began to understand that I needed to take a step back. Writing is my craft, my art and my true passion. I had followed the rules and a straight line for most of my life until now. This is not to say Retail is an abomination, it most certainly isn’t. I’ve met magical, empowering individuals through the scene and I have grown into who I am because of it and because of them. Nonetheless, I was becoming worn down, worn out and something was lost. I was lost and as was my passion for the retail world, for the work and for the path I was on. At the beginning of December, 2019 I decided to take a monstrous leap of faith into wildly unknown waters. I quit Retail and I started to write full-time. Why you may ask? Because - YOU MUST BE IN LOVE WITH THE WORK.
Each of these points continue to ring true as we enter into another beginning and a few more come to mind. While taking my previous words into 2020, I’d like to mention a few others after evolving a bit deeper.
You have 1 body. Groom often. Fuel it well. Work it hard. Rest it properly and love it unconditionally.
Hire experts to take care of things that you don’t have the energy to take care of. Pay them well and if you can’t afford to, muster the energy and take care of it yourself.
Convenience is a service. invest in it if you are seeking to gain more time in life.
Control your emotions. Don’t neglect, or suppress them… just control them.
Buy less. Spend less. You have everything you need.
Reduce your carbon footprint - the smallest of changes make the biggest impact and EFFORT here is the key.
(This year I’ve purchased metal straws that I use consistently, let go of plastic water bottles 100% by investing in a great reusable one, try my best to avoid plastic bags for groceries at all costs and purchased a high-quality safety razor.)
Knowledge is power. Read. Learn. Repeat.
Understand that not everything requires a response. Choose your battles and choose very few of them. You’ll be happier, I promise and it doesn’t make you a pushover - it makes you in control.
Learn to meditate. If your response here is some rendition of … “My mind is too active to meditate,” then definitely learn to meditate.
Honor your space and design your Home into a sanctuary to harvest rest, creativity and gratitude.
If it scares you, do it. Be safe - but do it.
New Year’s resolutions are not my thing. Resetting intentions however, are definitely my thing and I encourage this at any time of year. We are ever evolving, ever learning and must remain flexible to adjust our sails after each new wind.
I am wishing you light, love and the bravery to chase your deepest desires. Remain open and ready for change.
See you in 2020. Cheers!
-K