2015 learnings and epiphanies

And so we say goodbye to another year. Every December I recall the good, bad, hilarious, wonderful and weird moments of the year. Today is that day and 2014 can be found right here.

This year was...in a word: exhausting. Some of it fabulously exhausting and a lot of it ridden with worry and concern. I wouldn't classify 2015 as a bad year interestingly enough...just a lot of pressure. I'm thankful for the ways it changed me for the better and aware of the changes I need to make in 2016. I think that's what 2015 was all about - awareness. And I'll tell ya, I think 37 is the new 30. I gained confidence in several arenas and I definitely became more "aware" of my health so there's that!

Here are my thoughts on the past 365 days...

(in no apparent order and still based on my opinion only)

1. I am a better mom/wife when I work out.
2. I am unapologetic about my caffeine consumption.
3. It is possible to kick a chocolate habit. And then restart again.
4. It's also possible to work until midnight six nights a week and STILL love what you do.
5. It's all about who you know.
6. I love the creative process. So many of you inspire me.
7. I do not love accounting.
8. Hey! My kids like ramen! Boom!
9. Snapchat...not interested.
10. Another year of health. #grateful
11. It's better to walk away from money than to kill yourself making someone happy, which; eventually robs you of your own happiness.
12. Everyone has their shit. Life is not what you see on Instagram. We just mask it really well.
13. Anyone can take a shortcut. But isn't it so much more rewarding when you've earned it?
14. I do not like oxtail.
15. Women like to talk through their issues...about 100x's. It's basically free therapy.
16. I have a really small tolerance for complainers. Come to me with a solution!
17. Those fancy memory foam pillows...worth every penny. 
18. You really don't need eight hours of sleep to function. You can still be happy, too.
19. We're going to have to have the birds + the bees talk a lot sooner than I had hoped.
20. Three is not my favorite year for either of my children. Two was a breeze.
21. Pay every person you meet a genuine compliment and watch their face light up. You never know what they are going through.
22. I miss the city but I did the city. I am really happy in our little home with our little yard.
23. In terms of mattresses...once you go king, there's no going back. Hello space!
24. Family vacations are so fun now! Beaches! Pools! Bike rides!
25. We fell off the date night train in a really bad way this year. We need to make more regular outings just for us.
26. Sometimes it's ok to stand your ground and stand alone. Even with family.
27. Tell me something is impossible and I promise I will make it possible in some small way.
28. The most important trait one can possess (I think) is one in which you make every single person feel like the most important person in the room.
29. Potty training just sucks so bad. It really does.
30. My kids believe I go to two places every day: Starbucks and Target. That's it. Nowhere else.
31. I watched the Iris Apfel documentary and she made such a great statement: "I never felt pretty, I don’t feel pretty now; I’m not a pretty person. I don’t like pretty, so I don’t feel badly. And I think it worked out well, because… when you’re somebody like myself, in order to get around and be attractive, you have to develop something, you have to learn something, and have to do something, so you become a bit more interesting. And when you get older, you get by on that. Anyway, I don’t happen to like pretty. Most of the world is not with me, but I don’t care." What fantastic insight this woman has. My hero.
32. I love being an entrepreneur but I HATE setting up processes and overall, anything having to do with responsibility. I just wanna create something. (end rant)
33. Shouldn't us women stop competing with each other and spend more time reveling in our talents and what makes us unique? Gosh, I witnessed so much of this this year.
34. I am not mother of the year and yes, I let my children watch the iPad...but not excessively.
35. I also feed my kids hot dogs. Boom! How ya like me now?
36. P/S We love ranch, too.
37. Did you know that Elf on the Shelf has a cell phone? Me neither.
38. I need a nap.
39. I just don't think eye creams work. I've tried so many.
40. They're only young for so long. What's the worst that could happen if you "break the rules" and let them sleep with you? They feel loved? Waking up to their faces is the best.

Happy New Year's, guys. Make this one count.

Photography by Hallie Duesenberg

* Check out today's links ups: The Mummy Chronicles, The Pleated Poppy, Tucker Up, Shopping My Closet