2019 has been an epic year for me. It sped by as I learned and did things I could never imagine this time last year. There were some bumps in the road but overall the good things outweighed the bad this year.
As someone whose To Do lists frequently get the better of me, I've made a Ta Da! list reflecting on 2019. The To Do lists can wait until tomorrow.
Things I'm proud of
- I fought for something that really matters to me and learnt to make it a priority.
- I've always known that there's nothing more important than whānau and was reminded of this again as we banded together when it mattered most and supported each other through various health scares.
- I started to use my professional voice after keeping it quiet for so many years. This led to professional opportunities that may have previously passed me by.
- My professional volunteering experience in Bangladesh left me tired, refreshed and overstimulated all at once as I processed what I experienced while well out of my comfort zone. I started learning to look for optimism and hope in adverse conditions and gained a new perspective on life. Giving, giving back and giving forward has led me to take on a role in a professional committee but also to know my limits.
- I said no when someone asked me to do something waaaaayyy beyond my boundaries. I felt terrible about it for ages thinking how I'd let her down, but it turned out just fine and we're still really good friends - because good friends understand and respect boundaries and limits.
- I didn't buy much this year and was more contemplative about what I already have. I'd rather do things instead of buy things with my money.
- I was a Good Bitch 17 times, baking 17 batches of sweet treats for charity recipients, nine birthday cakes and several care packages for friends and whānau.
- I completed this year's Goodreads reading challenge after some sleepless nights finally pushed me over the finish line. Yuss!
Things I've learnt
- My sense of identity is stronger than other people's perception of it. I'm especially proud of this one.
- If contracts are like sprints and permanent jobs are a marathon, then a fixed term role is a half-marathon. You can't run a marathon by sprinting like a contractor. The same goes for life in general.
- Life, misery and exhaustion is not a competition. We're all in different spaces and that's absolutely fine. I've learnt to empathise and support but not be dragged into someone else's negative space just because they're having a tough time.
Things I'm still working on
- Saying yes to people and experiences without taking on too much.
- Managing, protecting and nurturing my energy. Sometimes this involves having ridiculously early nights.
- Pacing myself. I just can't be or do everything I need or want to all the time.
- Letting go of the shoulds.
