New Year Swellness: Make 2014 your year

January 1, 2014

Happy new year, my pretties!

On this first day of 2014, I’m sitting here typing this post when it seems like just a few days ago that I was summing up 2012. Can 2013 really have flown by as quickly as it did? Looking back, this year was some kind of wonderful:

• Every race I ran in 2013 was a personal best. Three marathons completed this year, each one faster than the last (the most recent was in November in Philadelphia. And my Around the Bay 30k was faster then the time goal I’d set for myself). I’m pretty sure it’s only a matter of time until I place in my age category…kidding! I wish!
• Even more close to my heart than the personal bests that I ran was the support I received from everyone who voted for me in the Inner Champion contest I took part in. I think about your support during my long runs and it helps motivate me to keep going. And going. And going. (A marathon is long, yo!)
• I received several notes from blog readers and friends telling me how something I’ve posted has inspired them — whether it was to work out that day, or to try a great local restaurant, or to make a meal from scratch — and as sheepish I often feel (over) sharing about my running or traveling, knowing I may have played a small part in making your life a little more swell, well, that makes it all worth it.
• I had the opportunity to partner with some fantastic brands, such as Aveeno Active Naturals, Ford Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart.
• My one travel goal for 2013 was very, very simple. All I wanted to do was make it to New York City as it’d been much too long since my last visit. I made it to the Big Apple three times (twice for work and once on vacation — where I not only saw Kanye West in concert in Brooklyn, but my Instagram of Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington at the show made it onto The Cut, Jezebel and Fashionista).
• I was fortunate enough to explore more places than I ever had in a year. From the stunningly gorgeous Sonora Resort in British Columbia and the sunny beaches of Anguilla, Jamaica, Barbados, and Mexico to the cultural sights in Paris, Madrid, and Nice and the unexpected fun times in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Door County, Wisconsin and Roanoke, Virginia — to name just a few — I had a wealth of opportunities to absorb and learn from. And I hope through my sharing of this travel, that it has inspired you to explore — whether it’s somewhere far flung or even if it’s just to the other end of the city. Explore, try new things!
• I’ve made so many wonderful friends, ones I know I will stay in touch with, even if we can only manage to connect through Instagram or Twitter rather than in real life. (And my old friends, for the past few years, I realize more and more each year how important you are  in my life and I hope you know what your support means to me.)

So yes, I’d say this past year pretty great. At the same time, in writing an article for Glow about how big a fan I am of using social media, I became more aware of how it both benefits and detracts from my happiness. Writing the article helped me get my FOMO in check, but it’s also made me aware of the shiny, happy edited self most of us (present company included) present on social media. Has it been a year without any stress, anger, guilt, resentment or sadness? Of course not. But I think it’s important to try to keep things positive, and let’s face it, it’s easier. Cut me some slack — I’m not about to Instagram a makeup-less selfie in my PJs in front of my computer or tweet about my life falling apart.

Not that my life has fallen apart, knock on wood. More than anything, 2013 for me was a year I felt incredibly grateful. I had more than a few moments where I thought “Is this really my life?” before soaking up the surreal experience at hand (like when I had dozens and dozens of eagles soaring above me while out on the water at Sonora Resort). Moments that I felt quite lucky for, but I came to eventually accept that the moments were a result of a combination of both good fortune and my efforts. I helped make these moments happen.

So for 2014, I ask you to think of it as your year. But don’t leave it to fate. Make it happen. Take the steps you need to to bring you closer to your goal.

Do it, and it’ll be a fantastic year. I can just feel it.

Filed under: Random Swellness

Tags: 2013 in review, 2014, fate, happy new year, New Year, this is your year