Looking back on another year

My 27th year was pretty different from the rest.
The years leading up to this one were based around schedules, task lists, goals, etc. but this year I just kinda went with the flow. Instead of constantly working towards and making progress towards fitness goals, academic goals, creativity goals, etc. I just lived day to day in the moment with no real plan. That's not to say that I've been inactive or lazy this past year - there are areas of my life, such as work, where I feel very accomplished - but this year has been so different from most. Realizing how different it has been of course makes me ask "Why?". Why did I become less goal oriented, less diversified in my interests, less of a task oriented person. I think there are a few reasons...

I believe one reason I was so different this past year is that I was in a new environment.
I wasn't in school (college or law school) so I wasn't around many other driven, ambitious, competitive, goal-oriented people. Being out of school also means I'm not around pre-established interest communities such as Christian student organizations. I have to fend for myself more to find like-minded individuals.
I was away from my family. Elisa is great at keeping me motivated and accountable for reaching fitness goals. I haven't found as much of a running enthusiast nearby in College Station. Susana is great with encouragement such as reminding me that I'm a role model for other girls and generally keeping me on the right track. My family helps me accomplish more.

A few unexpected and unplanned things happened that threw off my schedule, my energy level, my expectations for the year.
Between surgery in September, a car accident in December & Lupron for the last several months, my energy level has dropped so much. I've remained active but my activity level for the last several months has been far from the old running 20 miles a week. Some days my meds just make me feel so worn out that I don't even want to sit up to paint- I just want to lay down. Luckily, I think I'm at the tail end of most of my treatment.

I have one person in my life that brings so much fulfillment, entertainment & happiness, that I kind of Forget there are other things that bring me as much fulfillment, entertainment, or happiness.
I am so grateful for Ryan. We have a wonderful time together just hanging out- without doing anything extraordinary. He has never intentionally taken me away from any of my hobbies, interests or goals...but I enjoy watching a movie with him as much as I used to enjoy writing, I enjoy playing Black Ops with him as much as I used to like painting, & I love sitting for hours just talking with him and sharing ideas. Sometimes it's hard to tear yourself away from what's right in front of you & enjoyable to go do something else that's enjoyable as well. I do miss painting & writing very much though. It's crazy to think of the paintings I've begun already and just never completed.

I don't think there's anything Wrong with the way I lived the past year. There was nothing I did that I think I shouldn't have been doing...but there were many things that I didn't do that I plan to get back into!