Wow. It’s almost 2020 y’all which means its time for two things: a look behind and a look ahead. I always enjoy a moment of reflection and a gathering of goals for the future and I pray you do this as well. You can read my look behind and ahead from last year HERE. The above picture is from this summer when I forced my entire family, (but mostly the hubby) the wear matching Buc-ee’s swim suits to our pool.
A Look Behind, 2019:
Wow, this was a busy year. Between my full-time job involving travel and my toddler child, keeping pace was tough. I got a few blisters and there were a few meltdowns, tears, rants and the like. But, man, do I have a good husband. He always had an ear to listen.
Even though it was a tough one, in a lot of ways, I feel like this was the first year that I kinda got the hang of the whole full-time-working mom gig. And by “got the hang”, I mean I learned what to expect, not how to do it all, that part is still a lesson in progress. Also, it’s impossible.
Travel:
This was a year of travel. Between work travel and play travel I’ve logged over 40 flights this year (I still don’t enjoy flying) and became a Hilton Diamond member. In other words, its been a year of hustle, questioning if the pilot knows whats he’s doing and missing my own bed. It was hectic, but not horrible by any means.
San Fran, Iceland, Germany, London, British Isle and Texas!
My BFF and I went on a surprise-destination trip to San Francisco which you can read about HERE.
We also went to see one of my favorite podcasts, The Happy Hour, live in Austin!!!
And in the Fall my hubby and I went on an epic trip which included 3 nights in Iceland, 3 nights in Berlin, 2 nights in London and finally, a Disney cruise through the British isles to top it all off. This was a trip of a lifetime. All the while, my parents babysat Ray. Thank you, parents!
And in December, I got to do two work trips in Texas (where I and breakfast tacos are from) which were a win-win for both the company and myself as I got to visit friends and work.
Writing:
Also, a big game changer of this year, was attending the Hope*Writers conference which was actually a fulfillment of a 2019 resolution: “to invest in a conference or course on creativity or writing.” My other resolutions last year included blogging more which I did. My favorite 2019 blog post was, “Things I Know to be True as I embark on my 33rd trip around the Sun.” You can read it HERE. And my final goal was read the Bible, which I did until March…and then. Well, theres some room for improvement.
Trusting in God:
While, 2019 was really great, there is still an outstanding broken relationship in my life. Because it’s so raw and unresolved, I don’t think its appropriate to share much here, but I do want you to know that there is more going on than the fun stuff. These lyrics from Lauren Daigle’s song, “Trust In You” are my mantra for this frustrating place I’m in.
“When you don’t move the mountains I needed you to move, when you don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through, when you don’t give the answers…I will trust in you.”
A Look Ahead 2020:
Not What I was Expecting:
To be honest, early this fall I entertained the idea of making my 2020 word “rhythm” and creating goals along the lines of being home more. However, during the Hope*Writers conference, I found myself drawn to the idea of participating in their 2020 Mastermind group. This group is basically school again. They’ve asked us to set aside 5 hours a week to work on assignments, we have weekly readings, weekly conference calls and three in-person training weeks, locations vary from California, to North Carolina and then to Michigan.
Of course, I dismissed the idea. “I’m TOO busy” I told myself, “and already travel way too much.” But the opportunity just kept gnawing at me, it wouldn’t go away, like glitter after a surprise party. But it was a bad idea, so I let the sign up cut-off date pass.
It wasn’t until the day after, in a heap of regret that I signed up. My regret immediately morphed into relief, which more recently has morphed into an intermittent panic on how I am going to manage this year.
All this to say, I have come to grips with the fact that 2020 will NOT be my year of “rhythm” or traveling less. Food for thought in 2021 perhaps?
Write
Rather, 2020 will be my year of writing and my “word” will be “write.” This feels crazy, and yet, I couldn’t not do it.
2020 Goals:
Because I am obligated to so much this year, it feels silly to create more to achieve on top of that, therefore my goals are simple. They are: 1. Keep loving on, and unsuccessfully attempting to potty train my toddler child. 2. Do my day job well. 3. Immerse myself in my Hope Writers Mastermind group as fully as possible. This includes completing all readings, writing assignments and training trips.
So thats me y’all, pretty much a hot mess. I’ve undeniably bitten off more than I can chew and at the same time, I’m kinda thrilled about it all. What about you? What are your 2020 ambitions and fears?
In conclusion, I’ll share this fitting story from one of my favorite authors of all time, Anne Lamott:
“Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report written on birds that he’d had three months to write, which was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books about birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him put his arm around my brother’s shoulder, and said, “Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.”’
Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Cari says
I enjoyed reading this post and learning a bit of the backstory on how you BBC and to join the Hope Writers Mastermind! Bird by bird indeed. Looking I’m so forward to meeting you in March!
Brittany Rose says
Aww so glad you checked it out! Thanks Cari, looking forward to meeting you too!!