Reflecting on 2019 and Preparing for 2020
New Year is my favorite holiday because I love looking back to revisit the experiences, check in with my growth, and set new goals. On a personal level, this past year has had it’s fair share of high-highs and low-lows. Last January, started off a bit rocky and I was nervous that the circumstances I faced were going to set the tone for the rest of the year. I had a lot of big goals for 2019, so starting off on a negative note was the last thing I aimed for. However, life often throws curveballs which force us to sink or swim so I did my best to persist despite the adversities. Overall, this year was a chaotic rollercoaster that is ending on a very positive and peaceful note, which makes me very happy because that was one of my main goals. The closing of 2019 represents so much. Not only because a new year is approaching, but also because it’s the end of the decade for the world and for me! As we enter the 2020’s I will also be turning 30 in March.
One of my biggest goals for 2019 was to focus on healing inside and out. One of the most pivotal habits I incorporated to pursue this goal was to implement consistent exercise. I got into a great workout routine for a large part of the year and made it my priority to be physically active for a minimum of 30 minutes at least 5 days per week. This helped tremendously by allowing me to lean inwards first thing every morning. Being consistently active strengthened my body and aided in calming my mind. Focusing on myself first thing every single day before work or other responsibilities allowed me to heal on multiple levels and it’s definitely something I want to continue next year.
There are some goals that I mastered this year and others I want to continue improving on in the new year. A new goal I have for 2020 is to travel more. Honestly, traveling has never been a huge part of my life and for the first time I want to make it a higher priority. We didn’t travel much when I was a kid and as I got older I had a hard time justifying travel or vacations because I didn’t understand the value. All I saw were the money signs which deterred me because for most of my young adult life I was more concerned with paying rent, car bills, or shopping. Mario and I had several great trips this year and as I enter my 30’s I want to make more room for traveling because I understand that the value exceeds how much a person spends on a trip. Travel can be inexpensive if you prepare in advance and ultimately it’s more about the memories and learning about other cultures that exceed the monetary value. A goal I want to work on next year that I didn’t quite master in 2019 is to finish redecorating the apartment. So far, I mostly did the office which still isn’t completely done, lol. Next is the living room and dining area.
There are a few things I have been doing to ensure that I end the year on a positive note that I want to share with you!
Purge and Do a Deep Clean
I’ve been purging and organizing the house all year, but I wanted to get another session in before the New Year. As a recovering shopaholic with hoarding tendencies turned style blogger, the clothes, shoes, and boxes accumulate quickly. I am working on clearing our space as often as I can so that I can break these habits of holding onto things I don’t use. I want our home to feel comfortable, not cluttered, so I am doing my best to keep up with this, especially as we enter 2020.
Let That Shit Go
Purging clothes and shoes is one form of “letting shit go” but there are other aspects to this phrase as well. This decade was filled with lots of loss for me and one thing that prevented me from healing emotionally and mentally was not being able to let go. I have been one to hold onto regret and wishing I could change things which used to eat at me. This year, I wanted to train myself to really let go of anger, hurt, and resentment. It’s difficult to have a peaceful heart and mind unless we let these negative emotions go which is where meditation, manifestation, and exercise really came into play. As we enter 2020, I don’t want to dwell on anything negative that happened in 2019 or the rest of the decade. I want to accept things for what they are without feeling anger or pain and really let that shit go!
Reflect and Look Ahead
Constant growth has always been important to me which is why celebrating the New Year is so exciting! Even though I’ve been through a lot of hard times this decade, I still can’t help but look back and feel grateful. I’m grateful that I had the strength to pull myself out of some dark times. I’m grateful that I learned how to speak up and gained a voice when it comes to expressing myself. I’m grateful that I learned how to truly love myself and put myself first. I’m grateful to have finally graduated college with my BA in Humanities. I’m grateful to have a peaceful and loving home to call my own. I’m grateful to have my priorities straight. I’m grateful to have Mario and Rosie as my little family and that I get to spend time with them every single day. I’m grateful for having a platform and a community that supports and cares for me through the internet. I’m grateful for all of this because I did not have any of these things when I was 20 years old in 2010. That was around the time my darkest days started and I’m glad they’re over.
I’m definitely not where I thought I would be at this age, but where I am feels right. I’m so excited for the next year and the next decade. I look forward to sharing my journey as it unfolds in 2020 and beyond. Happy New Year! Big hug and kiss to you! I love you!
P.S. Shout out to all the 1990 babies turning 30 next year!