2021 was quite a whirlwind year for… all of us! 2020 was a year that needs no explanation, but I remember going into 2021 with Optimism and Hope! Like most years do, this year held a few unexpected events for me personally.
A few highlights include: teaching a CrossFit summer school class, visiting Puerto Rico for my birthday, quitting my Full-Time teaching job to pursue this blog and news reporting Full-Time, visiting the Magic of Africa and the Serengeti, and helping to renovate (project manager) portions of my parent’s home upstairs.
I also want to share a few lessons I’ve learned from the hard times this year, and the importance of enjoying the good times as they come. Easier said than done, right?! When I tore the labrum in my hip, it was pretty devastating. Looking back, I know it helped me have more patience and another reminder to have a healthy perspective in life. Leaving my teaching job for my current news job worked out pretty well, but I felt nervous and questioned my decision during the entire transition. It’s this weird dance between what you know you need to do while pushing the fear that keeps creeping up! I had to constantly remind myself to have patience… with myself! I felt better when I took things one step at a time, and one day at a time. I had a few stress filled nights/days and learned the calming effect of a nice bubble bath! When I quit my news job earlier this year in February, I knew it was the right decision. I felt the same way when I quit my teaching job, but that doesn’t mean it was easy! The trip to Africa was perfectly timed to help me continue with the transition from my old job/life to my new job/life. Sometimes it’s hard to think there is a plan for our specific lives, I definitely doubt with all the chaos around, but looking back I see how everything this year…good and bad… worked out in a beautiful way.
I know everyone has a specific plan and destiny to fulfill even though it’s hard to imagine a real plan when sometimes things don’t make sense. I keep this quote by President Hinckley nearby as a constant reminder for me and my life, “Those who have faith and move forward with a happy spirit will find that things always work out!” It’s definitely a mindset that makes me happy and brings me peace. Life doesn’t always ‘work out’ how we want it to or think it should, but with a healthy mindset we can feel peace knowing we aren’t in charge of everything.
Pictures by Alexi Conroy – Instagram & Website
I had so much fun taking these photos with Alexi in such a beautiful place. I’m no model, but I’m glad I have these photos to remember 2021 and end on a high note. I sincerely thank you for reading and following along this year; I wish the best 2022 for you! I have a lot of goals I’m looking forward to tackling and sharing this year, and I would love to hear about your future goals. It’s always more fun when we can share in this crazy journey of life together!
The best is always yet to come, Happy New Year!
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