25 Before 2014

I decided that I would follow suit with my friends Jessica and Amanda and do the 25 Questions before 2014 post. I think this is a much better way to do a review of your year and see what you would like to change in the new year than resolutions.  

1. What am I most proud of this year? I am so proud of our accomplishments as a family. We finally took a road trip we've been planning for the better part of 4 years, we bought a new home, and we've begun planning our vow renewal.

2. How can I become a better _friend_? I think that sometimes I get too involved, I need to let things lie with some friends. I think I tend to over think situations and it often makes for uncomfortable conversations. I've been working on this one already and I can say that it has been very successful thus far!


3. Where am I feeling stuck? Careerwise. I have applied to job after job since moving to Connecticut and I have yet to hear anything. It definitely does a number on your confidence.

4. Where do I need to allow myself grace? Weight gain. I know that I've put on some weight during our PCS and the holidays. However, my schedule was nowhere near normal in the last 4 months so I need to move forward instead of beating myself up.

5. Am I passionate about my career? My career currently would be parenting. Yes, I will always be passionate about parenting my children. So much so that I am already getting excited to plan for baby #2.

6. What lessons have I learned? Life is what you make it. Happiness can be situational and based on the life you make wherever you happen to be.
 
7. What did my finances look like? Our finances look pretty good! We paid off a lot of bills prior to buying our home. We're still paying off student loans, but I only just graduated in March.
8. How did I spend my free time? I read a lot of books, spent a lot of time painting, and playing The Sims (I'm addicted).
 9. How well did I take care of my body, mind, and soul? I took much better care of my body at the start of the year. I ran my longest race (8 miles) in February. The last bit hasn't been so friendly to my body. I've been caring for mind much more by opening myself to educated debate and reading as always. I think my soul got an extra dose of care this year, I have been working to mend broken friendships and working on some personal flaws that are changeable. 

10. How have I been open-minded? I'm becoming more accepting of other people's opinions. Do I agree with all of them? Certainly not, but I can see things from their side and become less biased about issues. I'm also being more accepting of advice I'm given, but always with a grain of salt.

11. When did I feel most creatively inspired? I'm an artist. I am almost always creatively inspired. It gets pretty hard to turn my left brain off.

12. What projects have I completed? Moving into our new home would have to be the only thing I technically completed.

13. How have I procrastinated? I would honestly say that I haven't really procrastinated. I've had to put stuff on the back burner due to husband's work schedule. Planning our vow renewal for instance, I feel behind the game, but that's no fault of my own. We had to wait until our funding was in place and until we were back in the NorthEast. These things were all dependent upon my husband's job.

14. In what ways can I re-structure my time? I don't really see where I would need to restructure. I usually make the most of what time I have.

15. How have I allowed fear of failure to hold me back? Not at all. Being an artist, the fear of failure is constant, but you have to put yourself out there.

16. Where has self-doubt taken over? In the career area, I wonder if I will ever find a job!

17. When have I felt the most alive? On our big road trip! Standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon, touring a haunted house, driving down Route 66. :)

18. How have I taught others to respect me? I have gotten much better at expressing how I feel without becoming confrontational. Discussion is important in any relationship. Dissecting a situation and learning to diffuse any hard feelings.

19. How can I improve my relationships? I think backing off a little. I can get really intense. Time to learn to let things go.

20. Have I been unfair to anyone? Certainly. 

21. Who do I need to forgive? I've forgiven a lot this year, I think I'm all set here.

22. Where is it time to let go? I think that I've done a lot of letting go along with the forgiving.

23. What old habits would I like to release? The constant Facebooking. I think there needs to be a support group for those of us who get too into it. I got roped in really hard since my husband used to be away a lot.

24. What new habits would I like to cultivate? Cooking at home more often. I won't lie, I love cheeseburgers and fries. If I make a good meal at home that I have planned I am more likely to skip the drive thru.

25. How can I be kind to myself? Allowing myself the time to create a schedule here in CT. It's hard to get your footing and find your happy place in a new duty station. I'm working at it every day :)

I hope everyone enjoys their holidays! New Girl will be back after Christmas :D