Work In Progress
“You might not be where you want to be yet. But you’re also not where you used to be.”
It’s almost 2020. Two days before the end of the decade. Taking one day by itself, it feels as if almost nothing changes…but looking back at the last ten years? It’s crazy to realize what is different and what has been accomplished. Today I want you to brag. I want you to look at your life and write down all the things that you’re proud of and the obstacles you’ve overcome. Big or small. Pump yourself up, recognize your growth, think about lessons you’ve learned, and inspire yourself for the future. We tend to be so hard on ourselves but yet praise others for what they do. It’s time to toot your own horn! Having confidence in your accomplishments and celebrating them doesn't make you a “show off,” it's you discovering your self-worth, sense of security, and love for yourself.
For me, I’ve learned how much I love to travel and that I crave movement and creativity in my life. I never want to settle for anything less than my best and always search for value in both myself and others. My top hits since 2010…I graduated high school (Class of 2010! Can't believe how time flies), studied abroad in Italy (traveled to Germany and Prague after), raised a fur baby (life is always better with dogs!), got a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Photography (and minors in both Business, and Information Science and Technology), family cruise from Canada to Alaska, went on my first solo trip (worked with elephants in Thailand and visited friends in Ireland, Spain, and the UK), jumped out of an airplane, dyed my hair lots of different colors before shaving it all off, started playing ultimate frisbee and even went to Nationals, got a job as a kickboxing instructor, ran a spartan race trifecta, quit my job, sold most my stuff and traveled through Asia (tried being vegan in Singapore, met new friends in Malaysia, did yoga in Bali, Muay Thai in Thailand, motorbiked all over Vietnam, tried karaoke in South Korea, enjoyed Japan with my love, and worked for locals in Taiwan), became a certified health and life coach, did my 200-hour RYT (registered yoga teacher training) and got a teaching position at a studio, hiked Longs Peak as my first 14er, got certified as a personal trainer, and launched my own business, Fiercely Be.
Reflecting in this way has opened my eyes to what I’ve managed to accomplish, but it definitely has not been easy. I’ve always struggled with self-worth, doubt, and mental health (good ol’ anxiety and depression). It’s been difficult for me to wisely use my time and make enough money, I feel like I’ve always been in debt and scrambling. When I traveled I had days where I would stay in bed all day, only leaving to get food from a 7/11 because I was too overwhelmed. We all have our own struggles that can make life challenging. But looking back, do I regret anything I’ve done if it meant more time and money (and sanity!)? Not for one second. My life has been about facing my fears, and I want to help and inspire others to do the same. I think it’s important for all of us to look back and reflect on ourselves. Especially to discover what YOU want, not what everyone else thinks you should do or comparing yourself to other people. We are all unique in our own ways with our own skills and interests. What are your accomplishments? What are your dreams and passions? (I would love you to comment a few of your greatest hits below!). Now is the perfect time as we wrap up 2019. So pull out your journal or your phone, and record a memo or jot down some thoughts (if you have time to read this then you most likely have time to start this right now!).
I’ve learned countless lessons and grown and changed as a person in ways I could never have imagined. I am far from perfect and that is okay. I believe that we are all just “works in progress." As an artist, I have never made a piece that I thought was PERFECT. It always gets to a point I have to step away, because I could always add more or change something (it needs more color, more lines, proportions are wrong, the shadows are too intense, highlights to bright, etc). I think that’s a little like how life is. It’s important to always be creating but sometimes you just need to step back and admire and appreciate the beauty of what you’ve created. You are a beautiful creation. We all are. Even as a work in progress.
2020, here we come. In the word of Mary Oliver, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”