Another trip around the Sun, but have I learned anything?

It's been another trip around the sun and I think it's always a good time to reflect on the year that has passed and what I've learned. I encourage you to look back on your year, the good, the bad and the ugly, and think about how far you have come.

You can teach an old dog new tricks

I started my blog and YouTube channel this past year. I had no idea what I was doing and still don't! You have to constantly be reading and learning. I've made plenty of mistakes, but  I'm so proud of myself for starting. I've realized that I can do pretty much anything! Not to be too cheesy but blogging is something I've always wanted to do. You always have this fear of putting yourself out there because people are going to judge you. I kinda tried to think of it this way: If I have haters then I'm doing something right. So to my future trolls, I can't wait to meet you!

Health is not just about your body and your weight

I've always had a little anxiety my whole life. I worry more than the average person but never to the point were it started effecting my everyday until after I had my son. You know as a Mom you never stop worrying but my worries would keep me up at night to the point it turned into insomnia. I had to go to the emergency room because I was up for three nights straight. I was told I had postpartum anxiety and they gave me some meds to help me through it. At the end of this year I noticed (after we had some very costly house repairs) that I was having some problems with my anxiety and sleep again. This time I didn't hesitate and I talked to my doctor before it got out of hand. I've learned that mental health is just as important if not more than anything else you focus on. We always work on our bodies and fitness but we rarely take a step back to check in on our mental wellness. You gotta love yourself before you can love anyone else.


Giving is better than receiving

It is truly more rewarding to give yourself to someone else whether it's time, money or support. This might resonate more with me because it's my love language, but I've learned that I'm good at just listening to people. Not giving advice and telling people what to do, but just listening and asking questions about their situation. Sometimes you just don't realize that people want to be heard. Most of the time when I'm having a conversation you might notice how I always turn it around to see how you are doing. But if you bring up my amazing son Jax, then I'm just going to talk your ear off and show you pictures. And you only have yourself to blame.

Where you are is where you are meant to be

This is amazing advice that I have gotten from my beautiful yoga instructor. It seems like everyone is in a rush and we want that instant gratification.  I've been someone that has always had goals and things I want to accomplish. Sometimes I think maybe I'll never be satisfied but I believe it's just that I want more out of life. I want to enjoy myself so I work hard, but it's also okay to make mistakes. I have certain days were no one has watched my YouTube videos or commented. I'm trying to build a blogging brand from complete scratch and it's going to take time. Most take two to five years to take off and start making money. Patience is hard but if I'm consistent and keep learning, I have no doubt that I'll be rewarded in the end. Plus I love doing it!

The little things are truly the best things

My son has been the one that has taught me this. Just his giggle or smile makes my day. We were rolling around in our basement floor just the other night and I just kept thinking, I forgot how fun this is. We had a few days where it was in the 40's and we were able to get outside and play. There are these two big rocks that are in our backyard, one big one perfect for sitting and a little one with a point on it that is not. My son went to the rocks and called me over and said "Mama sit on the rock." So of course I went over. I think you can all guess which rock was mine. My tush still remembers, but to see his face looking out over his yard and smiling and being so happy to be outside and feel the sun on his face stuck with me. There are a few moments everyday that are truly magical. Sometimes you just have to have two year old help you to see and cherish them.

Now, I raise my smoothie up to you. So here's to you and I and another journey around the sun. May we learn more than we know and see a little "magic" everyday.