WOW! My birthday is tomorrow. I still can't believe I'll be 37. And worse, I'm still having a hard time with the idea of it. I'll actually be in my LATE 30's now! URGH! Not loving that idea. At least I don't look it or feel it. People are surprised when they find out my age and that makes me feel a little better.
But looking back at the past year? WOW! What a difference a year makes in my life. And every year too. Each year my life just continues to change so much, and in ways I never expect. This time last year I was sitting in a leadership training for work, a 2 day class, Tuesday and Wednesday. Then I took Thursday and Friday off. This year, I just took the whole week off! :)
That leadership training, was when I was in a different department, working for a different SVP, and work was completely different. In mid-October, my job completely changed and this time, so much for the better. I've still have some bumps since then, but overall, work is really going well. I think I've proven myself and my worth over the past year. I bust my butt, work very hard and continue to succeed. Do I think I'll be doing this forever? No. But for now, I like what I do for the most part, and it pays the bills.
Socially, I was starting to make some new friends in the fitness/running group last year. I'm still friends with them and I've made even more friends through that group since then. They are great people and great friends. I love that we have so much in common and I love that they are all into fitness and trying new things. We are supportive of each other and just have fun. I really don't know if I have ever had such a positive, fun, supportive and encouraging group of friends in my life.
Financially... well, I am still not great with money, but I'm continuing to learn to be better. I say no to things when I know I can't afford it and do my best to stay within my means. I've worked hard at cutting expenses and trying to have some sort of budget. I've paid down lots of debt, paid off one loan and have 2 more payments on another loan. My car will be paid off within the next year as well. I'm just trying to make it all work as best I can and do what I have to do to get ahead.
Health-wise, I've had some more issues... more back problem- new ones, and some of the same old ones. Toss in my IT Band issue, plus other problems that came up as well. Things will continue to come up, that's life. But each time, I handled it and that's what I'll just keep on doing. Between tests and ultrasounds and more ultrasounds (damn... I had a few this past year!) I keep going with it and moving forward.
Fitness continues to grow too. WOW was 36 crazy for that! I continued to run more and more as I turned 36 and found a regular yoga class too. Then I started swimming laps, which is an amazing workout. I can't wait until the pool reopens next month to get back into it. I ran a 5K, a 1/2 marathon, then the Boston Marathon, with a bunch of 5K's tossed in as well. I started pilates, did so much more weight lifting, more cross training with the elliptical. I took some ballroom dancing lessons too! I keep trying new ways to exercise and adding more into my routines. And I LOVE it!! I have SO much fun with it all.
Then add in my dating relationships. I really did come a long way with that at 36. I learned so much along the way. I think just something as simple as having my ADD diagnosed and treated helped an unbelievable amount in all of my relationships. I learned more about me and how I tick and how that impacts my decisions and relationships.
I had a few random dates, dated someone for a couple of months that I thought was something big. Come to find out, even though it didn't work and only lasted a couple of months, it really was something big. I learned SO much from him and from that relationship and I am so grateful for it. As much as I took responsibility for everything falling apart, hindsight, I know it was a two way street. I'm glad it didn't work because looking back, he's not the type of person I would want to be with long term.
Because of what I learned in the relationships along the way, because of the work I had done on myself along the way and because I now know what types of relationships I want in my life, I was in a great place when I met my boyfriend. I was ready to meet him. And I really cannot be happier. He is just an amazing guy and I can't say enough good things about him.
He's fun, funny, outgoing, smart, hard working, focused and determined. He can do anything he puts his mind to and he's not afraid to try something new or to challenge himself. He's close to his family and has a similar family background as me. He loves working out and being healthy. He makes me laugh. He never judges me and I feel more than comfortable telling him anything. I have told him things about me that I have never told anyone. I can completely be me with him.
While I was writing this, he called me while he was on his way to get lunch. I had emailed him earlier about the wedding we are going to next weekend and reminded him about something we had talked about doing over the summer but never got around to... then suggested we do it on Saturday. Originally we were talking about taking his niece when we were first talking about it. But when he called me, he asked me the hours, then said even though we had talked about his niece, he thought it would be great if "we had some us time" then we can stop by to see his niece later.
He's just so good to me, and so caring. He's not a pushover and he can bust my butt and give me a hard time but he's always caring and respectful. He might push things now and again, but when I am clear about things I don't like, he listens. Like the HORRIBLE screensaver he had on the new flat screen in his kitchen. Since I said I really didn't like it, I haven't see it.
But I changed. I'm different in this relationship. Like I said, even though the last one didn't last more than a couple of months, I'm grateful for it because of what I learned. And I've taken those lessons and applied them into my relationship with my boyfriend.
I was always getting into my own head in past relationships, and ALWAYS feeling insecure. But now? He never gives me a reason to feel insecure. Last weekend we were out and talking about a movie. He thought we saw it together. I jokingly said, "No, that must have been with your other girlfriend." He laughed, but then said, "Yeah, like I have time for that." And really? SO true. He works all week, maybe stops at the store after work before heading home, goes home, eats, takes care of his dog, maybe gets in a workout at his home gym before heading to the gym for one of his MMA classes then he's home around 9 or 9:30. That's his Monday through Thursday.. and I've been sleeping at his house every night. Plus I'm with him every Friday and Saturday night and sometimes Sunday nights too.
He's just fun to be with. And the little things too. He makes sure his dog isn't too much on top of me when we are sleeping. He snuggles up with me at night and just automatically puts his arm out so I can lay on it and then he wraps his other arm around me. That's just my favorite way to sleep. Wrapped up in his arms.
SO yeah, 36 was a great year. I'm starting 37 in the best place I have ever started any year. I have goals and plans for so much and everything looks so positive! As much as I hate the number, I feel so good about what 37 is going to bring. I need to sit down and really plan out what I want and what direction I want things to go.
Where do I want my focus to be? I know fitness is so important to me and keeps becoming a bigger and bigger part of my life. I love inspiring and encouraging others to reach their goals. I really think I want to become a group fitness instructor and maybe a yoga instructor too. I've thought of becoming a life coach too. Long-term, I'd love to incorporate being a life and fitness coach into one as a career. In this market, something like that wouldn't fly to support me. But I could start with baby steps along the way.
I'm just really really happy. I don't ever remember so many things in my life all going so well at once. My job is good. Financially I am ok. My friends are amazing. My relationships with my family are great. I have a boyfriend who I am crazy happy with. I am healthy and fit. Things are just really really good. And I am happy.
I don't love the idea of being in my late 30's, but 36 was a great year and I am very optimistic that 37 will be even better! :) I can't wait to see what the next year brings.
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