I love to start the new year by looking back at what happened, but this year feels too big to look back on! So much happened, and because I was so busy with client work every month, running my part of the design business, getting in face time with family and friends, and working with Molly from Stratejoy as my life coach every other week… well, very quickly it became clear that 2013 was not going to be the year of my blog.

That being said, this year really was nothing short of transformative! It was full of fun, travel, great memories and – most importantly in my books – lots of belly laughs. I made new friends who are a huge part of my life now and deepened the friendships that I value most. And if that’s not enough, it was also my first year of working from home full time! 2013 had a lot of firsts.

I’m going to look back in fill in the blank style – and if this inspires you, please copy the questions & link back to me in your review post so I can see how your year went!

Biggest Transformation in 2013:     My work/life balance    .

I’d put the pieces in place the year before, but this year was when I got to start experiencing them! Instead of 60 – 70 hour weeks, I was working 35 – 40 hour weeks and I had evenings and weekends off all year, except while I was teaching Create Freedom In Your Online Work (which was the plan).

I can’t even talk about how spacious and luxurious this felt!

Last year felt:     spacious & nurturing    .

I took time for myself every single day, and every single week. I learned how to recognize my intuition & inner wisdom, how to turn up the volume on it when it spoke up, and how to start trusting it. There were lots of really tough things too – too many health issues downright harming people I love, business deals that fell through or went sideways. But through it I took care of myself in a way I’d never done before, and I was always genuinely alright, and back to myself in no time flat.

Working at home for my first year was:     un-freaking-real!    

Look, I love humans, but mostly I don’t miss working around tons of them on a daily basis. Working from home is great for me because I’m introverted, and I have an anxiety disorder. While I don’t have symptoms on a regular basis (Yay, science & exercise!) getting to opt out of commenting, taking care of a studio, and the frustrations and quirks of working around other people (lovely though they may be!) has been a fabulous change for me.

I have more energy than ever to put toward designing for my clients, and on reflecting on what’s working for me & what’s not. And when I’m lonely? There are lots of humans at coffee shops.

My favourite discovery was:     how much I loved teaching the eCourse I dreamed up    .

It was totally scary and complete love at first sight. I researched, wrote my heart out and podcaster until I was hoarse – and I know it’s going to be an important part of my life.

Best body/fitness experience:     finding a way to eat & work out that I loved… & losing 25 lbs!

I’ve never seen results from working out or making change in how I eat, because the changes haven’t been right for me and I haven’t stuck with them long term. This year I discovered the foods I’m sensitive to (which causes you to hang onto extra weight) and switched to mostly eating whole foods.

Then I discovered FitnessBlender‘s full length workout videos on YouTube  and started doing HIIT workouts – high intensity interval training. It’s active, mostly focused on toning, and you can’t get bored. I’ve been working out 3 times a week most weeks for a year, I still eat chocolate, I still drink wine, and I’ve lost 25 lbs and gone from a 31” jean size to a 28”. I love feeling strong and healthy :)

Best goal setting discovery:     I’m a visual goal setter!    

I’ve been writing down the monthly habits I want to keep up with, and large monthly goals – and if I post them somewhere central where see them every day, I get them all done. If it’s on my fridge, I can accomplish it.

This year, I’m posting a huge calendar in my office to track important projects and goals, and I’m making weekly habit tracking part of my planner design to make sure I make the most of this.

Favourite Read:      Daring Greatly by Brene Brown     .

I know. I drank the kool-aid just like everyone else, right? Well, this kool-aid is DELICIOUS AND WISE. If you haven’t read it, you need to.

Best summer recipe made:     Crispy buffalo style Quinoa sliders with sweet corn & scallions   .

The link is here, and I can’t even talk about how amazing this was.

Favourite social media site:    Pinterest!   

I got straight up obsessed with Pinterest this year. Follow me, I’m there multiple times every day.

Favourite summer memory:   New York!   

Specifically, being in New York, eating macaroons on the rooftop in Chinatown, talking all night with one of my best friends… who I’d just met in person for the first time in six years of friendship. How do you top that? (Read the post here)

My favourite purchase:    My teal boyfriend watch (here).    

I’m scouring the internet for a back up this year, this is my perfect watch.

Best winter recipe made:     smokey butternut squash salad with lentils & goat cheese   .

Recipe here. It’s called a “spicy” salad, but using smoked paprika it was beautifully smokey with a great depth of flavour.

Favourite winter memory:      Finding out that someone we were dying to have more involved in our business couldn’t wait to get involved     .

Finding reliable people who love admin work & community building is really hard, and after working with an amazing woman in a smaller way since the fall (as temporary holiday support) she expressed that she’d like to step into a bigger role in our little business right when we started to get swamped! I want to go to New Zealand to hug her :)

I was challenged by:      Realizing that having a fabulous “game face” can be a bad thing     .

Sometimes it means that sometimes I’m not a strong communicator in my friendships and marriage because I don’t express what I’m processing. Working on it!

I celebrated:     Feeling inspired and energized in December instead of in need of a holiday     .

It felt great to want to keep on working and exploring as the holidays came up – and to be exploring that now!

If last year was about:     laying the groundwork   , then this year is about:   fully committing and soaring  !

I’d love to hear how your year went –
fill in the blank in the comments below:

If last year was about:                                       , then this year is about:                                    .