2013: the year I did not write anything interesting. Over the past year I've felt a bit raw and exposed, and not particularly wanting to share much from my real life. I stuck to mostly (not all, but mostly) décor posts. I don't see that changing any time soon.
I've decided not to do an in-depth Year in Review post. I'm not looking back. I'm looking forward. Onward and upward. 2011 felt like drowning. 2012 felt like slogging through mud up to my waist while wearing cinderblocks for boots and hauling a backpack of rocks. 2013 felt like the mud subsided to my ankles, and I got to hand off the backpack of rocks. 2013 had its challenges, but it was a year of growth and good changes.
One highlight from 2013: I bought a house. Buying a home went a long way to making me feel more settled and secure. We've moved so much in recent years that I have felt very closed off from other people, in a "what's the point of making friends, I'll just move as soon as I find some anyways" sort of way. I finally feel like efforts towards building a life here are worth it.
Which brings me to 2014. No resolutions, no life lists. I have one goal for this year: join the ranks of gainfully employed again. For the past two years I have been tepidly sending out the occasional resume, but apparently having a six year unemployment gap on your resume is not a hot commodity these days. I spoke to a recruiter who told me "I'm going to be brutally honest: you're going to have a very hard time finding a job out here." (Fabulous! That law degree I haven't finished paying for was totally worth it!) (This is a blog post in itself, but it would be a really depressing post.)
You know how people like to pick a word that encompasses their resolutions for that year? I haven't done this before, mostly because the last few years I have been hanging on by my fingertips. But this year I feel like I'm in a place of personal growth.
My word for 2014 is "embrace". Embrace possibilities. Embrace changes instead of fighting them. Embrace growth. Embrace love instead of anger. Embrace happy.
Lean in, and all that crap.
Here's hoping your 2014 is peaceful, happy and productive.
I've decided not to do an in-depth Year in Review post. I'm not looking back. I'm looking forward. Onward and upward. 2011 felt like drowning. 2012 felt like slogging through mud up to my waist while wearing cinderblocks for boots and hauling a backpack of rocks. 2013 felt like the mud subsided to my ankles, and I got to hand off the backpack of rocks. 2013 had its challenges, but it was a year of growth and good changes.
One highlight from 2013: I bought a house. Buying a home went a long way to making me feel more settled and secure. We've moved so much in recent years that I have felt very closed off from other people, in a "what's the point of making friends, I'll just move as soon as I find some anyways" sort of way. I finally feel like efforts towards building a life here are worth it.
Which brings me to 2014. No resolutions, no life lists. I have one goal for this year: join the ranks of gainfully employed again. For the past two years I have been tepidly sending out the occasional resume, but apparently having a six year unemployment gap on your resume is not a hot commodity these days. I spoke to a recruiter who told me "I'm going to be brutally honest: you're going to have a very hard time finding a job out here." (Fabulous! That law degree I haven't finished paying for was totally worth it!) (This is a blog post in itself, but it would be a really depressing post.)
You know how people like to pick a word that encompasses their resolutions for that year? I haven't done this before, mostly because the last few years I have been hanging on by my fingertips. But this year I feel like I'm in a place of personal growth.
My word for 2014 is "embrace". Embrace possibilities. Embrace changes instead of fighting them. Embrace growth. Embrace love instead of anger. Embrace happy.
Lean in, and all that crap.
Here's hoping your 2014 is peaceful, happy and productive.
I like it! I feel the same, just accept and keep moving forward. Good luck. BTW, I have been away from your blog for a bit...when did you change your header? I like it.
ReplyDeleteArgh! I just wrote something and for some reason it didn't publish it. Anyway, as I was saying, I think 2014 is going to be a great year and I wish you all the luck in meeting you goal.
ReplyDeleteI also tried to post a comment, but the problem was my phone, not your site. Anyway: Some years are sucky. Just no getting around it. Glad you are on an upward trajectory. And, while I am not much of one for woo-woo, I do believe that once we are clear about what we want/need, the way somehow opens. Don't know how that works, but I know that for me it always has. Even when it looks like it's not. (My ideas of what I want/need are not always accurate.) Hope you have a good year--
ReplyDeleteRita, I'm still not sure what I want to do with my life but I can tell you that I want to go back to work, so hopefully I will figure it out soon! May your 2014 be fabulous as well.
DeleteLisa: You are a strong woman, stronger than you think. You have accomplished so much, even if you don't see it right now. I have only found your blog in the last few months, but I went back and read every.single.post. because I was fascinated by your energy, and accomplishments. I'm so proud of you, and I'm not even your Mom! Real life is not easy, as you well know. You will become gainfully employed, and you will have friends, and you will continue to raise those amazing, beautiful children. I can't promise it will be easy, but it will be worth it. Blogless Peggy, turtlemss2@aol.com
ReplyDeleteEmbrace seems like a perfect word for the new year. Good luck in your job hunt and hopefully things will continue to look up in 2014!
ReplyDelete