2015: A Year in Review

2015 was a good year! Despite wanting to throw this blog in the trash numerous times, I'm glad I kept it going, and even happier that I took the time to record many of the special and not so special moments of the year.

At the end of last year I made a list of seven "simple" goals.

1. Fill out my 5-year journal every day.
2. See new places.
3. Be happy.
4. Make people smile and laugh as much as possible.
5. Drive more often.
6. Go on dates with new people.
7. Live by this: "When a door closes, knock on it a few times. But if it still doesn’t open, let it stay closed. In career, in love, in life – when you see the period at the end of the sentence, don’t try and turn it into a comma. Know when something is over and move on."

I filled out my journal every single day! It has become a wonderful, peaceful ritual of pause and reflection at the end of each day. Every night I get into bed, turn on my little lamp, and see what question is waiting for me in the tiny journal. I love it.

I saw many new places! Israel. Miami. Nashville. New Orleans. Oakland. Palo Alto. Stanford. I saw old ones too! Dartmouth. Wellfleet. Philadelphia. San Francisco. And many, many visits to New York.

Israel

New Orleans

Dartmouth

Philadelphia

San Francisco

Miami

Nasvhille

New York

I felt a lot of happiness. Particularly the last few months have been filled with joy. I feel so happy these days. I smile all the time and laugh constantly. I feel content in my life and (mostly) excited about figuring out my next steps. I finally feel like myself again.

I think my happiness was contagious this year, and in turn, I made a lot of new friends, and created stronger bonds with some older friends. I tried my best to make sure the people I love knew it.

I drove a lot! Not nearly as much as I could have, but I made it a priority every time I was in New York. Still some things to work on there... :-)

I went on so...many...dates. There was a point this year where I had 1-2 dates every week! I met a lot of great guys and I learned so much about myself and what I want in a partner, about what really matters to me. I also learned that I don't need to date all the time. I deleted OkCupid (the only site/app I used) a few months ago and have felt really happy about it. I wanted to prioritize other things over dating and make sure I was really happy on my own. I imagine at some point I'll get back to it, but right now I feel satisfied with just living. One of the best things dating did for me was help my confidence to grow. Here's what I know: I'm not perfect, but I will make a great partner to someone one day. If I continue to focus on being my best self, I know I'll be ready when the right person comes along -- someone who is worthy of all I have to give to a relationship, and someone who will give me what I deserve in return.

That last goal is an interesting one. I'm notoriously bad at trying to "turn periods into commas." I have a hard time letting go. I always have. I am learning to accept that about myself. I love deeply, and I cherish the relationships and bonds I form with people, maybe to a fault. But still, I'd rather be like that than hold people at arm's length in an attempt to avoid getting hurt.

When I look back on the year as a whole and try not to dissect the individual days, minutes and seconds, the year was really a great one. I took a lot of chances. I volunteered quite a bit on my own. I went to a blogger dinner and shared my URL with the public. I asked for a title change at work. I booked a trip to another state with a guy I had only met twice. I tried Blue Apron. I spent 30 days without eating carbs or drinking alcohol. I helped my sister plan her dream wedding. I cut my hair short. I played in kickball and volleyball leagues. I went to physical therapy for my never ending foot problems. I said goodbye to my childhood home. I skipped work to go to the opening of the Boston Public Market. I went to a trillion free Red Sox games. I wore a neck brace. I tried Stitch Fix. I posted a Craigslist Missed Connection. I read 30+ books. I went to a bunch of beer festivals. I went to the Oddball Comedy Festival. I saw Taking Back Sunday. And made many, many more memories...

Wow, that was a lot of pictures! I think I need to retire that black and white striped dress in 2016...hah!

Here's to another amazing year!