As 2015 comes to an end and I sit down and write all the things I want to do in 2016, it is time to take a minute and reflect on 2015: the highlights, the disappointments, the game changers, the areas of focus and of course the things I forgot. Instead of going back and hanging my head up on on the goals I didn’t reach in 2015, I am going to follow Tara’s lead and use this pretty sweet template for reflecting.
Taking a moment to think about the past year will really help me hone in on what I want out of 2016. Reflection always brings me back to a few specific questions: am I living my purpose, am I using my God-given talent, and am I being the best version of me?
Before I think about 2016, I want to really reflect on 2015… out loud, for you all to hear. I had high aspirations for 2015 and I think I learned my lesson: not so many goals. It was a great year and I truly look back with a huge smile on my face but I need to tell myself, “Hollie you can’t do it all!” When it comes down to it I am truly thankful for this year and every opportunity…
2015 Reflection
I am thankful for the health my children and family.
I am thankful for my own health.
I am thankful for the opportunity to love & laugh.
I am thankful for new friends & old- they mold me.
I am thankful for the challenging moments because that is where I grow.
I am thankful for every moment and opportunity- it is a true blessing.
I am forever thankful for the grace and love of God.
10 Highlights
1. We took a family ski trip and it was C’s first time skiing.
2. I started my very first virtual fitness challenge (and then ran several more) and they have been very successful and rewarding.
3. M grew, grew and grew. He learned to sit up, crwl, and walk. He enjoyed the pool, turned one and kept me on my toes and filled my heart every single day of 2015.
4. I ran five half marathons in 2015 including a personal record.
5. We traveled to Colorado, Georgia, California (twice) and Michigan– vacationing is what fills my tank.
6. My brother and sister-in-law returned home from Norfolk, Virginia.
7. C was seizure free and was able to get off of her seizure medicin after 18 months of taking it every day and turned celebrated her third birthday! Praise the Lord!
8. I made great friends. Blog friends, gym friends, and neighborhood friends. Friends who challenge
me in motherhood, in fitness and in faith.
9. J and I survived his heaviest year of travel yet and somehow still managed to go on date nights and take a vacation just the two of us.
10. We found out we are expecting baby #3 in July.
3 Disappointment
1. We didn’t slow down. We kept going, and going, and going.
2. I didn’t hit my blogging traffic goal. My blog grew alright, but sometimes my expectations are high. My blogging to-do list never ends and I never get everything I want to done.
3. Eating non processed food 80% of the time. I did it for awhile: made my granola bars, got rid of cereal and bought the less processed cheese… and then life got in the way.
3 Areas of Focus
1. My faith. I have really worked on my relationship with God, spending time in His word and letting everything else fall into place. I am not perfect- I have gotten better. I will always be a work in progress and I am proud of the gains I have made.
2. Simplifying and decluttering our lives have been a huge focus especially he last couple of months. I read the book “The Art of Tidying Up” and went to town on my closet. We are not where we want to be and I still need to work on my mindset more.
3. I am mom first; end of story. There are days when I don’t blog like I wanted to or get anything up on social media and I have learned to let it go. Although I want this to grow, I know I will never look back and regret being with my children.
3 Things I Forgot
1. To spend more days and hours unplugged- end of story.
2. That 52-week savings plan we wanted to do in addition to our regular savings. We saved for M’s college, tithed more, and bought a new investment property, but forgot that little detail.
3. To read. I read blogs, lots of them and that is where it stops.
Reflecting…
What does this mean for 2016? I am still trying to iron out these details and deciding how I define success for myself and my family and how I can ultimately fulfill God’s purpose for my life- that is what it is truly about. As we wrap up 2015, it is hard for me to know what is in store for 2016 because right now I put my head down on my pillow and say, “God, how do you want my life to be used? Is it this blog? Is it solely through motherhood? Is it through fitness, teaching or something else. Show me!” So right now I don’t have an answer and I may not soon. I know what I want and what I want to do, but what does He want- that is the ultimate question.
So until my question is answered, I will give praise and thanks for a wonderful 2015: a healthy family, a full heart, and another sweet blessing to come.
Your turn- tell me!
What is a highlight from 2015?
What is one thing you forgot to do?
Great reflections! So glad to see my template making the rounds. Sounds like we’ve got a lot of similar questions looking toward next year and God’s plan for our blogging/ fitness/ motherhood/ etc. Your approach to lay it in His hands is perfect. Prayerfully considering goals for 2016 now (and keeping them to a manageable number).
Love your template, Tiffany- thank you. Struggling with “What if I don’t know my answers in time to make goals?”