You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.
-Steve Jobs
It’s true, they say: the older you get, the faster the years fly by. And 2013 — it zoomed. And while it wasn’t my most favorite of years, it wasn’t entirely bad, either!
Some highlights:
In January, I celebrated as the Alabama Crimson Tide football team won its third National Championship in four years.
In February, I turned 30. I celebrated with my husband with a dinner at the California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
In March, my parents visited and we went to a Braves spring training game at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. Also in March, I took on an awesome volunteer position with my sorority. I oversee 35 alumnae chapters in Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
In April, I was laid off from my digital content director position at Bonnier Corp. as some magazines were folded or sold, and personnel consolidated. (Luckily, my titles were left in the hands of a swell guy I trust!) Within the month, I started a new job as digital marketing and public relations manager at Mario Camacho Foods the same week that my husband and I celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary. (Find Mario on Facebook!) Between jobs, I wrote a blog post about how my husband’s career at Walt Disney World all started with a tweet, and it got a lot of response.
In May, I went to the movies. This is notable because I went to see only to three movies in 2013: Lincoln, Star Trek: Into Darkness, and Saving Mr. Banks. Most of my movie-watching these days is done through HBO and Redbox.
In June, I traveled for my “sorority job” to a training conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.
In July, I traveled to Seville, Spain for a once-in-a-lifetime work trip, and returned to attend a food blogger conference as a brand sponsor.
In August, I was interviewed for a podcast on Alabama sorority recruitment.
In September, I spent Labor Day with family in South Carolina. I attended another blogger conference as a brand sponsor, and traveled to Richmond for my sorority regional meeting.
In October, we bought a new sectional sofa. It is glorious.
In November, I spearheaded the search for an agency partner at work, and spent Thanksgiving with family in South Carolina. And, my husband received a promotion and transferred to a new location at Walt Disney World.
In December, I went to my first therapy session since high school — through a benefit provided to me through work. I look forward to my next session to discuss my next steps in my career and in life. Also in December, my parents came to visit, and their visit cut short by my dad’s bout with pneumonia. He remains hospitalized and prayers and thoughts are highly appreciated.
In 2013, I spent too much time worrying about finances and my career, and too much time on social media — even though I love it and have made a career out of it, hashtag ironic. I didn’t spend enough time taking care of myself — I did not eat healthily enough, exercise enough, or take enough time for friends and family — and I willingly spent a lot of time on my own when my husband was working. I fear failure in getting healthy, I fear rejection from friends and family, and I aim to conquer those fears.
I have some things to look forward to in 2014. In January, I’ll travel to my old stomping grounds in Birmingham to attend FoodBlogSouth as a sponsor brand, and meet with our PR agency that is headquartered there. I hope to squeeze in as much time as possible for dinner and coffee with friends and former coworkers! In April, my husband and I are renting a dog-friendly beach house a few miles down the beach from where we were married to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary. And in July, I’ll travel to Seattle for my sorority’s international convention!
In 2014, I aim to put the health of myself and my family first. I am to make plans with friends new and old. I aim to truly be present for the celebration of our wedding anniversary, put my toes in the sand — and let go of worry.
My 2014 goals:
-Cook nourishing meals for me and my husband on nights when he is working.
-Through running and yoga, restore confidence in my body.
-Reach out to a friend or work contact each week through a phone call or in-person activity.
-Write about people I admire here on this blog.
-Continue dealing with my worry in a healthy way.
Digital Kristen 