2012 Reflection: What I’ve Learned

I have to say that my New Year’s resolutions for 2012 actually went pretty well. I failed miserably at one specifically (do yoga or pilates once a week) but I’m not upset about it. My workout routine/training took a different route this year (as in, I got myself a personal trainer) so, I’m not upset the resolution went down the tubes… it just took a different direction;)

ANYWAY, I do plan to make goals and resolutions for 2013… however, I’ve also decided to look back at the year and figure out what this year has taught me… big or small lessons, there has to be something!

Here are my little takeaways from 2012:

Don’t be afraid to set goals even if it takes a while to achieve them. Achieving your goals doesn’t usually happen overnight. It can take months or even years. I’ve learned (this year) that just because something is on the back burner doesn’t mean you have to give up on it. I don’t plan to give up on my goals, but I know achieving them tomorrow won’t happen either.

Failure sucks, but it happens. Remember when I got a 74 on my certification test for work and I needed a 75… that sucked. I was devastated. I wouldn’t have said it then, and it’s taken me a VERY long time to get to where I am now, but you have to pick yourself up and try again.

When I wake up and workout in the morning I feel better all day. That’s just a fact of life (for me, at least).

Getting overly stressed (for whatever reason) is bad for my health, so keep things in perspective. This year I learned this on multiple occasions. While 2012 was a good year, there were a few times I was super stressed. As I’ve mentioned many times on the blog, I have seizures. While I don’t think I actually had a seizure (there’s no way for me to be totally sure since I live alone), I did get physically ill. The doctors I saw did say it was probably stress-induced. Moral of the story (and what I’m taking away from it), keep things in perspective. Your health is waaaaaaaaaay more important.

I like to spend my extra time volunteering. The more involved I got with different organizations, the happier I was. You should try volunteering if you don’t already. It’s worth it;)

I love to cook but not alone. I thought I’d truly enjoy cooking healthy meals for just me… turns out, I like to cook when it is for OTHER people. I enjoy it so much more when I have company. I especially enjoy it when I’m with Ev.

I like to have a plan, but things don’t always go according to it. I think my mom is probably going “duh” right now… in fact, I know she is. It’s true, I love having a plan. It makes me feel better if I have a plan… whether it be for just the day or life in general, but that’s just not really how things work. So, while having a plan is a good thing… learning to go with the flow (a little more) and understanding plans don’t always work out will REALLY be good for me;)

I would die without my iPad. Not really, but I know going to a remote island where I could no longer use it would be tragic and I’d feel totally and completely lost.

Lastly and most importantly, the best things happen when you least expect them to… AKA Evan proposing.  I had given up on the fact that he was going to propose that night, and out of no where he totally and completely shocked me.  It was by far the best surprise of my life:)   

  Tell me about what you have learned this past year from all YOUR life experiences…