It’s about that time when you start seeing/hearing all the things that happened in the past year, the good, the bad and the ugly.  Top song of the year, game of the year, team of the year, player of the year, story of the year, you name it.  It’s also a time when people start working on their New Year’s resolutions.  Starting January 1^st, I’m going to start that diet I wanted to try, reconnect with that friend I’ve been meaning to talk to or start that business I’ve been putting off for too long.  Out with the old, in with the new.

I hate to admit it but my motivation and energy to continue this blog has slowly started to wane in the past few weeks.  It is starting to feel forced instead of something I look forward to.  I think it’s just human nature for something to lose its appeal/luster after the initial excitement when you start something new.  Maybe it’s the cold weather or the changing of the seasons but it’s something I’m working on and hope to find a spark in the coming weeks.  The positive comments and encouraging words definitely help motivate me to keep it going, so thank you for that. J  With that being said here is what happened to me and what I hope for in the new year.

2015 was a year of personal/career growth, setbacks and a lot of learning about myself.  Here is my year in review for 2015:

• Getting promoted at work in January and receiving 10% more than I asked for.
• Ending a relationship that I still think about today and wonder if I made the right decision. I still care and think about her and wonder how she’s doing.
• Starting a regular yoga practice that has helped with mindfulness, gratitude, and compassion.
• Setting a personal record in the Malibu triathlon and hitting my goal of completing it under 3 hours (just barely – 2 hours, 59 mins, 40 seconds).
• Being let go at work but seeing the bright side of things and not having to deal with certain people.
• Seeing many of my college friends get engaged, looking forward to a lot of weddings/bachelor parties next year.
• Going to 2 Taylor Swift concerts in a matter of 4 days. First one was in LA (Staples Center) on a Wednesday night – best seats EVER!  The second was down in San Diego (Petco Park).  This might be the highlight of my year, don’t judge!
• Traveling to NYC with my mom and older brother to help my sister out while her husband was out of town.
• Deciding to start this blog after going through some transitions in my career and life in general.

Here is my to-do list for the new year.  My resolutions for a better life, a better me…

• Complete 6 triathlons (aim to do 2 half Ironmans, 4 Olympics) in the year.
• Cut my mile pace down to 8 mins 30 seconds per mile. I’m currently around 8 mins 45 seconds comfortably so shaving 15 seconds off is going to take some work.
• Work on starting a new business that makes an impact on healthier living for people.
• Read a new book a month (minimum of 12 for the year).
• Practice daily gratitude towards friends/family, strangers, the world.
• Work on my handstand practice, hold for 10 seconds without wall/assistance.
• Start and maintain a meditation practice.
• Learn to enjoy life more, play more like when you were a kid.
• Get comfortable being uncomfortable.
• Make mistakes, learn from them, grow from them.
• Incorporate a less is more lifestyle. Less clutter, unnecessary things…more clarity, freedom.
• Continue to post weekly on this blog.

So what did your 2015 look like?  I hope it was filled with great things, big or small, but if it wasn’t, you have a new year to start fresh.  Just remember, learn from your past, plan for your future but live in the present.

QOTP: “Never to look back in regret but to move on to the next thing.  A setback is never a bad experience, just another one of life’s lessons.”  -Richard Branson