2014 Reflection

I think it's extremely important to reflect on the past so that you can have clear direction for the future.  For me, leaving behind such an emotionally trying year is joyous, but I feel like I need to try to get to the root causes of why it was so bad so that I can have a successful and AMAZING 2015.

A sweet friend of mine on Facebook posted these questions for reflection.  I never thought about writing down my goals, making a mood board or anything of that nature.  It seems to be the best way to keep my goals in the front of my mind. 

1. What do I want to accomplish with 2015?

Gosh, I have so many things swirling around in my brain.  There's so many changes happening in my life.  Laying it all out like this is a lot harder than I imaged.

I'm going to really focus on this over the next week, and update with my desired goals, but I want to make them tangible goals with tangible results. 

 2. Who surrounds me? Are they positive, do they lift me up? How do they make an impact on my life? How do I impact them? 

 

I have the most wonderful support system.  I knew that, but I really learned how amazing they really are once I annouced my desires to pursue this position in NC.  Seriously.  I can't say that my support system has always been this strong, but as time has progressed, as I've gotten older, I've figured out what REALLY matters in this world. 

They are extremely positive, uplifting, motivating. 

 

Their impact on my life is great.  I love knowing that I always have someone who has my back, regardless of the storm.  It's a fantastic feeling.  I hope that my impact on them, and their lives, is as great as their impact on mine. 

3. Where do I stand?

 

You know, I'm honestly not sure how to answer this question or if I truly can.  Maybe this is something I need to revisit in a month or two.  I feel like I'm existing, but I know what I need to do to change and make things better.

4. What do I need to focus on?

 

I need to focus on my health, both mental and physical.  I need to focus on what's important in life, my family & friends.  I need to focus on my spiritual relationship, and figure out a way to revive my excitement for life in general.  I need to focus on being happy, or at the very least, pursuing happiness.  I need to focus on not being afraid, because God didn't make us to be fearful people.

 

5. What changes need to happen?

 

I need to leave all the negativity from 2014 behind and focus on 2015.

6. What regrets do I have?

 

I think the biggest regret I have from 2014 is the ending of several relationships that were important to me.  It's always hard to look back and realize what I could have done differently.  And honestly, maybe there isn't anything I could have done differently. 

That's the emotion I have to take into 2015. 

7. What have I learned?

 

I've learned that the only person I can control is me.  I can't make people be kind, I can't make people change their attitude.  I can change the way I respond.

8. What do I need to learn?

 

I need to learn to focus on today, and stop worrying about tomorrow. 

 

I need to learn and remember that God is in control, and there's a reason why he laughs when I make plans.  He always provides, and He's shown me that time and time again. 

 

I need to learn that I can't survive this crazy world alone, and that I need to ask for help. 

I need to learn that my primary focus has to be on myself and my family, including friends that I so dearly think of as family. 

 

Cha, cha, cha, changes.

So I'm pretty sure it's been no secret that 2014 has sucked.  Majorly.  It's been a series of ups and downs, but it has felt like mostly downs.  I've been incredibly unhappy at work, I feel like I've been inundated with all the various baby annoucements/births, and things have been rocky a bit financially.  Quite frankly, it's been a shitty year, and I'm so darn happy to be saying GOODBYE to 2014!

Several months ago, I started the conversation with work about a raise.  I was paid significally under the market value for my position, and I wanted them to do something about it.  I didn't figure they would, but I wanted to give them the chance to do so.  I also began the conversation of looking for a new position with a recruiter friend that I met last year. 

Since Alex & I met, we've shared dreams of living somewhere other than Texas.  I've been here for the majority of my life, and definitely all of my adult life with the exception of a few months where I lived in Albuquerque, NM. 

In October, fed up from work, and looking for a change, I pulled up jobs in North Carolina.  Not expecting even a call back, I applied for jobs that were (in my mind) a little more advanced that what I thought I could handle.  Imagine my surprise when I received a call back.

I went through two phone interviews, and then the company flew me to their NC facility to go through another 3.5 hours of questioning.  That was two weeks ago.  A week ago, I accepted their offer to become the new Corporate Accounting Manager.  Yesterday, I turned in my notice at my current job. 

North Carolina is absolutely beautiful, and I'm so beyond thrilled to have the ability to venture out & explore.  I can't wait to hike in the mountains, hang out by the ocean.  Greensboro is literally almost right in the middle of the state, towards the north, and we're approximately 2.5 hours from the mountains and from the ocean. 

I'll be living relatively close to my Grandma Taylor, my Dad, my Aunts & Uncles, and cousins. 

But, leaving doesn't come without great sacrifices.  I go between bawling my eyes out at the thought of leaving my Mom and my bestie, Lindsey & her boy, Adam, to being elated and excited about the next chapter in my life.  I'm beyond grateful for the technology that will allow me to still see their smiling faces on Skype and talk on the phone without paying the long distance price.

And more than that - I'm so appreciative of all the well wishes, congrats, and the people who have truly shown me what having real friends & family feels like.  I know it's not easy for anyone to go through the experience of someone they love moving away. 

It's not easy for me either. 

The journey will be worth it though.





 

T H I R T Y | Farewell...

I know it seems incredibly silly - but I made it!  All thirty days of the Blog-tember Challenge blogged!  :-)  I had to make use of the "schedule" function on Blogger, but if I wasn't honest about that, one would NEVER know!  

I really enjoyed the various topics discussed through the Blog-tember Challenge. First of all, I adore Brave Love, and am continuously thankful that I stumbled across Bailey Jean at some point in the past year.  She's a Texas girl, which helps, but overall, I'm just amazed at how together she is for being 23.  

I'm surprised that I finished, honestly.  I've never put much time or thought into this blog, and only update when it feels like there's something I need to say, which isn't all that often.  

My favorite prompt - making the mood board, because it really allowed me to focus in on what I'd like for our wedding, if it happens.  :-)  I also really liked the fall bucket list prompt!  

Overall, I really enjoyed this, and I'm thankful that I choose to participate.  I didn't always link up daily, but I definitely participated on my own each of the 30 days.

T W E N T Y - N I N E | Blogging Resources

I blog for fun.  I blog for the love of writing.  The only resource I use is The Cutest Blog on the Block for their blog templates, and my brain.  I'm awesome that way.

T W E N T Y - E I G H T | High & Lows

I'm forever in amazement at how FAST this year has flown by!  And now we're wrapping up the 9th month of the year.  October will be here in just a matter of days, and the remainder of the year is sure to fly by!

September Highs:

1.  I finally got some more news on the job front.  Things are moving now.  :-) So we'll see how that goes.  I don't want to post too much if things end up not working out.
2.  With A being back in school, we've been able to catch up a bit, so that's been nice.  
3.  I was able to meet Lindsey for dinner one night.  It was nice to have some girl time.

September Lows:  

1.  It's still so incredibly hot here.  I'm ready for a break in the heat.
2.  A failing grade for FAR.  Boo!

Overall, September hasn't really been an eventful month, but I'm a-okay with that! :-)

T W E N T Y - S E V E N | Wish List

Man, my wish list is insane right now.  Mostly because I'm trying to buy some new work type clothes, and get back in the swing of dressing more professional for works.  No more jeans.  :-(

First up - there's this Calson Drape Neck Zip Cardigan from Nordstrom's...

These Adelia D'Orsay Pumps from Banana Republic... and these Kelsie Cutout Leather Peeptoes from Ann Taylor...

I desperately need a few more tops & pants for work, especially if I'm going to be in a much colder climate than Texas.  

I'd also like to find a couple of ponte fabric blazers.  

T W E N T Y - S I X | Cha - Cha - Cha - Changes

It's kind of hard to think back a year ago, because it really doesn't seem like much has changed, but I guess it really has.

I'm still at the same job, doing basically the same thing.  

We've moved twice, and are actually getting ready to move again after the first of the year, but where is still to be determined.

I finished school (but not completely).  

I passed all the certification requirements to begin my CPA exam.

A & I are getting ready to celebrate TWO years on 10/12/14.  

I've lost a friendship & reconnected with an old friend.

And this is officially the most depressing post - EVER!