I have to tell you… I just love this time of year!

Not only because I get to spend much needed quality time with close family and friends, but because it is a time for reflection and hope for all that is to come. It is always a humbling time for me, as I look back on the stumbles I have had, the struggles I have overcome, the accomplishments and the lessons learned. It never ceases to amaze me how much my life has changed in those short 12 months.

One of my favorite quotes from this year has been: “The days are long, but the years are short.” – Gretchen Rubin

This saying really resonates with me because it serves as a reminder that we don’t have much time in this world, and every day counts. We can (and should) start making an impact right now, because before you know it, our time will be up. We have today to start making a difference and living a life we love.

With that in mind, here are some of the lessons I learned in 2015.

You can be easy going and still have an opinion.

I have always been mindful of how my actions affect those around me. Unfortunately, this meant I often deferred decisions to others, and wasn’t always honoring what I wanted. I was avoiding making a decision, in even things as insignificant as an appetizer order, because I wasn’t really thinking about what would make me happy. I was focused on others instead.

The crazy part is, when I actually started following my heart (no matter how small the decision may have seemed) I found that 1) others barely even blinked an eye 2) they respected me for having an opinion and 3) they still loved me, even if I didn’t want to share an order of pancakes with them. How about that? 🙂

Learning doesn’t have to end when school does.

Pick up a motivating and enlightening book. Listen to podcasts or audio books. I used to avoid anything labeled non-fiction because I thought it would be booooooring. Especially now that I am out of school and craving to learn something new, I have realized just how silly that notion was. By reading material that encourages self development and reflection, I feel I am able to become a better person each and every day. Who wouldn’t want to have access to a mini-mentor right at their fingertips? There you can find all of the knowledge you need.

Keeping a journal can be transformative.

Writing can be an outlet for your emotions, and it can be a space for you to reflect on everything you have for which you are grateful. There you can relive the happiness and gratitude you have experienced that day, and it can keep you focused on so many positive aspects of your life. Keeping a journal can also give you the space to work out different issues you are mulling over. Writing things down as they come to you can be a very refreshing and rejuvenating practice. It can be as private as you want to make it – don’t feel pressured to show it to anyone. There is no need for your handwriting to even be legible (I know mine is definitely not on some days). Just try jotting down your thoughts and see where it takes you – I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

“You will become way less concerned with what other people think of you when you realize how seldom they do.” – David Foster Wallace, Infinite Jest

After quitting my (horrible) job at the beginning of 2015, this became a harsh (and surprising) realization for me. I somehow expected that the worlds of my bosses and coworkers would suddenly stop when I left. Because obviously I was an amazing employee and had a HUGE impact on them… right? Hello, reality check. Get ready for this truth bomb… there are very few people who care about your own life and how you choose to lead it as much as you do. This doesn’t mean you have a free pass to be a jerk, but it sure means that you need to start looking out for numero uno. No one else can do it for you!

“If you have more than three priorities, you have none.” – Jim Collins

I love this quote and talk more about this concept here. In the past, I have overwhelmed myself with an abundance of well-intentioned goals. And in effect, most of them became null and void. The key? I started focusing on the areas that were really important to me. This shift has made a huge difference in my life.

Stop caring what the neighbors think.

At one point, my boss and I kept getting this saying on the dove chocolates we had at work (I swear this saying made up 75% of the bag) so it became pretty engrained in my brain. We made light of it, but only because it brought up an issue that we struggle with from time to time.

In fact, throughout this year, I have struggled with this issue a lot. We bought a new house, so literally, I was thinking about what my neighbors thought all the time (yes, I kill every plant I come into contact with, and yes, my neighbors have impeccable landscaping… whoops). But I find myself struggling with it in other aspects of my life, too.

Take this blog as an example. I love writing, and I like engaging with other people. I want to help share what I have learned, and create dialogue around living a healthy lifestyle. I have toyed around with the idea of starting a blog for a long time, but was held up with thoughts about what others would think of me. In the end, I really just had to kick those harmful thoughts to the curb. They didn’t serve me any good – instead I was worrying about things for which I had no control over, and I was letting what other people maybe think of me dictate whether or not I pursued something I was really interested in. That’s just silly!

“I get to” is a powerful mindset switch.

Earlier on this year, I stumbled on this tip, and I have to say, it is pretty amazing. By switching out the words “I get to” every time you say “I have to,” I promise you will get a fresh new perspective on your life. I have to go to the gym…? Nope. I get to go to the gym because I am healthy, physically able and have enough money to spend on a gym membership. Not everyone can say that… Definitely counting my blessings.

“Finding meaning” in your life doesn’t have to be earth shattering.

For a while, I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to figure out what I was meant to do in life. I felt lost, alone, and unsure of which move to make next. I thought…. if only I could figure out what I was meant to do… then my life would be fulfilled. And yet, because I didn’t know exactly what that something was, I felt like any move at all would be determining my future forever.

Well, I tell you what… That’s complete bullshit.

First and foremost, you can find meaning and passion in your life a variety of ways. You can fall in love with weight lifting, or a kick boxing class. You can finally pick back up that paintbrush, or start learning how to take stunning photographs. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be something you do 24/7. You just have to actually do it.

And on that note, finding meaning in your life doesn’t have to be earth shattering either. It can be as small as having a heart-warming encounter with a loved one. Or being fully present while making a meal with the freshest ingredients. It doesn’t have to be a kick in your face type of moment where suddenly you know exactly what you want to do, forever and ever. You can find it in your life, right now. In those everyday moments we all tend to take for granted.

I hope the lessons I have learned and explored here help you in your own reflection of this past year (or better yet, help you while you are contemplating all that is to come in the year ahead)!

Cheers to the New Year! Let’s make it a great one.