See ya, 2011. Have a bitchin’ summer.

2011 is gone. Have you heard the saying, “The days are long, but the years are fast”? That one is a fo’ sho’ true one. At the end of each year I like to look back and remember how awesome the year has been and life in general.

This isn’t so much as a brag list (okay, maybe it is) as it is an encouragement for you to do the same. Our world is unreasonably fast-paced. Taking a moment to look back on what we’ve done and celebrate rather than making our 70 mile long to-do list for next year is a good thing, people. And if I hear you comparing yourself to me, watch out for my hand to reach through the computer and smack you. My list is my list. Your list is yours. We’re both badasses. The end.

Here are some things I did:

1. Ran my first half-marathon with one of my best friends from high school. Missed my goal time by 2 minutes, but I didn’t beat myself up over it, so I consider that a huge success.
2. Wrote and launched my first paid product, “Kick Your Gremlin’s Ass”. I was (am) so proud of that thing I could swear I gave birth to it.
3. Packed up our home + 2 kids and moved from San Diego to northern Utah. Trusted the Universe on that one.
4. I got sober. Yes, as in I-don’t-drink-alcohol-anymore. That story will come in blog posts this year, so stay tuned.
5. Fell head over heels in love with Pilates. Committed to doing it 3-4 times a week.
6. Started a new friendship and for a short while lived near the amazing Stephanie St. Claire.
7. Decided to fulfill a life-long dream of writing a book. Dragged my feet for months and finally actually started in October.
8. Participated in my second triathlon.

Okay, so all of these “things” are fine and dandy. Yes, the half-marathon, triathlon and pilates honored my deep value around health and fitness. And starting to write my book has been pretty epic. However, the stuff that’s really important, is what goes on inside. Here’s what changed inside me in 2011:

1. Realizing that making a big change like moving across states is all about perspective. If I choose to be afraid, it will be scary. If I choose to see it as an adventure, it will be fun. And it was.
2. Accepting that just because we’re adults, doesn’t mean that we still don’t have feelings like we did when we were kids. And that’s okay.
3. Accepting that the way I am, is really, truly 100% the way I am. Every time my gremlin tries to tell me otherwise and make me change, I feel like I’m wearing my shoes on the wrong feet. Without socks. All uncomfortable and sweaty.
4. Seeing that no matter who it is, how much success a person has, how much of a picture perfect life he or she has, we all have some fear. Some people are merely better at disguising it.
5. As much as we try to plan and control, we really have no clue what’s around the corner. But, like the Beatles say, “Let it be”. Because fighting it, kicking and screaming will just make it suck.
6. That I can make a living having a really amazing, kick-ass time. Just because it’s work (and my life purpose, which is kind of a big deal), doesn’t mean it has to always be uber-serious. (Thank you to my coach, Jeanna for hitting me over the head with that one).
7. That getting sober was probably the best decision I ever made. And I can still have fun. Probably even more.
8. And finally, really leaning into the truth that if people don’t like me, it really doesn’t have anything to do with me. Talk about freedom.

What was your biggest accomplishment of 2011? Either what you did, or internal shifts?