I giggle as I write this… because same time last year I made my first effort to go back at it and start writing. Ha! As expected, life got in the way, but so much good has come my way and it was just overwhelming in so many ways.
So here I am saying Ola! to another start of the year (giggling again realizing I have 2 consecutive new year’s posts 😛 ). Here’s a quick summary of my 2018…
- Spent the new year’s eve with my fiance and friends in Jerico, Colombia
- Visited Mexico for the first time
- Saw family in the US
- Got married in May at the beautiful Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas, Nevada
- Visited my now in-laws in Germany
- Visited Lisbon for the first time
- Finding our first home in Lisbon
These bullets can’t even describe 1/4 of how great these events were in my, our lives. We started the year with a vague plan, still unsure of the exact details of how we were actually going to make all of them come to be, but it all worked out.
I do think it’s only fair that I look into what I had from last year hehe and these were what I said I would focus on with some updates;
- Healthy eating / cooking – Lucky I love to cook and I have truly done a lot to improve how I prepare and make food… fresher ingredients, less meat, healthier options. We did decide that we can eat whatever we prefer when we go out, which was super seldom!
- Fitness and yoga – So I successfully purchased an awesome yoga mat… LOL! Okay, this plan was a bust because my sensory overload got the best of me and my exercise routine was, almost, non-existent. Not to down myself too much I did run a couple of times (I hate running), played beach volleyball, frizbee, table tennis, went swimming a couple of times, some yoga, some pilates, hiking, a lot of walking, grocery shopping, window shopping, eating… lol I do need a routine though and I am cooking up something for this year! I’ve blamed our area for not having a lot of options, I just really miss sports 😦
- Meditation / mindfulness / minimalism – I have been more mindful. I have been more minimal with material things. I feel like I’m CHILL AF! Kidding aside, I haven’t intentionally meditated but I’ve tried my best in improving staying calm and stepping back when faced with un-chill situations…
- Deepening personal relationships – I love this challenge and every day I try and make it a point to message a family member, a friend, or even just share a silly message over a group chat. I want some, not all, to know that I think of them and that even though we don’t have those deep conversations every time, that it’s okay. Everyone is busy. We should all get that by now.
- Writing more and taking in new hobbies – I write in my head, I think that counts HAHA! For new hobbies… I have for the first time learned how to crochet and my first class was even with my husband (extra husband points!). I started with a wool ear warmer/headband for myself and then was suddenly making it for others. I also started doing macrame and have made some hanging planters. Which brings me to our ultimate couple hobby, which is growing our urban/apartment garden. Basil, mint, parsley, tomatoes, golden berries, possibilities are endless!
- Professional growth – moving around has sort of put a hold in making any real changes in my career. I did give, which was possibly, the world’s longest notice period which I’m still rendering until now. I’m looking forward to this year definitely!
I pretty much ended up accomplishing the goals I’ve set last year, in some form or another. This year, I think I’ll keep my list a secret for now…. well basically cause I still don’t have a list that’s why 😛 But I will be, as promised, writing more. And I’m feeling more optimistic about it than last year. I have so much to share from 2018 and who knows what 2019 would bring?!??!!
Every year we write these lists, we evaluate the year that’s been, we make promises that the next year would be different, that it would be better, that we’ll do more of whatever. But it’s not really about how many places we’ve been, how many things from our bucket list we’ve checked, or how much we’ve achieved, but the little details, those that are immaterial, that I think matters most in the end. Life isn’t a competition anyway, at least it shouldn’t be, not even with ourselves.
I went in the year of 2018 excited, sad, scared and everything else in between… But they all fell into place…. It was hard…. Silly…. Painful…. but all in all…. Beautiful. And I wish that this year won’t be anything less!
How excited are you for 2019?! 🙂
Always,
K
The Remote Island Girl 