Over the past few weeks I’ve read dozens of genuinely inspiring (and extremely well-written) year-end reflections from other bloggers, people and brands. Google’s video made me cry. Yet when it came to reflecting upon my own year, one that I’ve made very clear has been a rollercoaster of emotions, I’ve been at a loss for words. Even talking about it, as opposed to writing about it, has been difficult. There’s so much I want to say, so many people I want to acknowledge and still, whether out of exhaustion or life confusion, I’m coming up empty.
Considering that today is my 22nd birthday (I don’t love the attention…but I’ll take a little), I feel double the pressure to produce some epic, heartfelt recap with an actionable timeline for 2017. The forced reflection this time of year (birthday and New Year’s combined) never does it for me. I tend to do my best reflecting on a random day, like a Tuesday in March. However, right now I’m sitting by the water on a mini-family vacation and have a desire to write.
Side note: I didn’t intend to take this long of a break from blogging…I went on a social media detox all around.
2016 was the humbling year I didn’t know I needed.
At the start of the year I had loose expectations to 1) enjoy time off post-graduation, 2) heal my gut 3) start running again after injury and 4) get a job. Never did I think the gut, running and job things would take so long, or that there would be a million bumps along the way. I cried more than I thought possible, I fell into the comparison trap, I lost my self-confidence and I was in pain for months. Most of those things are back to healthy standards. While I can’t yet confirm the cliché “I’m glad I went through those hard times,” I know for certain those tears and moments of self-doubt contributed to the humility I feel today.
Nothing went as planned this year, but maybe that was God’s plan after all.
This (very posed) photo was too good to pass up for a reflection post
In 2016, the little things were actually big things:
I traveled near and far, we got another dog, I learned a ton about gut health (fun for me), I nannied for the sweetest kids, I spent time with immediate and extended family, I explored the wellness world, I learned to grill and I did an un-assisted pull-up…three in a row, actually. I also had the freedom to blog, sleep, build up my Instagram and watch Grey’s Anatomy for the seventh time. All VERY important things.
Simply put: this gap year wasn’t necessary but it was needed. And welcomed.
Baby Archie!
A few notable posts…
Travel: Mexico Part 1 + Part 2, California Part 1 + Part 2, D.C., Colorado, Italy
Whole30 recap (I forgot about this!)
Healing my gut through functional medicine
Meet Archie!
Dealing with toxic thoughts
Learning to thrive when injured
Predicting the wellness trends for 2017
Sharing life (and thoughts) behind the Instagram
I’m sure I’m forgetting some, too. It’s a privilege to have so many memories from one year.
2017 is poised to be a year of more growth and change, which is a lame way of saying “I’m going to be living on Earth next year.” Change is the only constant. I’ve said the phrase “I don’t know” more than probably anyone should. I still don’t know what I want to do longterm, where I want to live, when I’ll race again or even how often I’ll be able to blog. No one really knows anything…or so I’ve been told. If you can’t Google it, I’m out.
I don’t have any concrete resolutions for 2017, other than a loose goal my sister and I set to work on our (non-existent) splits. If anything, I resolve to put my brain to good use. To continue overcoming doubts and self-imposed barriers. To think logically but leave some room for emotion. To judge less and love more. That should be America’s resolution. I have a toolbox full of (metaphorical) tools, a strong support system and a God to help me along the way.
Here’s to a year of good health and good food. Wishing you your healthyish-est (?) one yet.
Happy New Year!
Big hugs and happy birthday (and new year), Emily!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Friday Finisher 12/30/16
Thank you so much, Rebecca! Happy New Year! Hope you’ve had a great holiday :)
Happy birthday and here’s to be wide open to life and the possibilities it brings in 2017. xx
jen recently posted…2016: State of Blogging + Top 10 Posts of the Year
This was the best, most simple statement. Just what I hope to achieve. Thank you, Jen. I continue to keep you and your family in my thoughts. Happy New Year! xo
Happy birthday Emily! Can’t wait to see what the new year holds for you!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…If I had to tell a friend…
Likewise, Brie! So many exciting things in store for you xoxo
Happy Birthday! Your posts always resonate with me! If only I could write like this. Seriously I hope 2017 is a year of continued growth for you and that things may come a little easier than all you went through this year.
That’s so nice of you to say, Heather. Thank you! I’m so glad to have “met” you through blogging. Excited to see the changes (and additions) for you in 2017 :)
Happy Birthday, girl! I have so loved reading your blog this year, I love how real and honest you get. It’s truly inspiring. I Hope you have the most wonderful and YEAR!
Happy New Year, Allie! Thank you for your sweet comment. I wish you the absolute best in 2017!
Happy birthday, Emily! I’m glad to have started following your blog this year, and I’m excited to see what 2017 holds for you! xx
Hi Claire! Thank you so much for your comment. It means a lot! Happy New Year :)
First…. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
This post may be my favorite 2016 reflection I’ve read. You’re such an incredible writer and you manage to put all of my thoughts into words every time. This post is amazing and I love the resolution to judge less and love more. I certainly know I need to work on that. xoxoxo
So grateful that I met you through this blogging world. Thank you for your kind words! Here’s to lots of happy and healthy miles in 2017 :)
Happy birthday! I love the idea that growth and change is just a fact of living on earth, and the resolution to “put your brain to good use”. I think that’s often the best thing we can all do :) Happy new year!
Abigail recently posted…christmas 2016
Thank you, Abigail! It was a tough year for a lot of people so I can only hope and pray that there’s more love all around. Happy New Year to you, too!
Happy birthday! What a good thought for 2017! I’m on board with that :)
Kaitlin @ CA Enless Summer recently posted…Life of Late ~ 12.23.16 {and a special discount code} … Merry Merry
Here’s to (hopefully) running in Central Park in the new year :)
Happy happy birthday! and happy almost new year too. It has been a privilege to journey alongside you this year. I hope 2017 will exceed your expectations.
Megan recently posted…2016 reflections + reader survey
Thank you so much, Megan. I wish you the same for the new year :)
Happy birthday love! I am so happy to have been a part of your year, even for a bit. I wish that we could have added marathon to that list of achievements, but then again, I wish I could have added Boston to mine as well, and yet… we both got the years that we didn’t know we needed. Cheers to a 2017 that we know we deserve :D
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Year in Review 2016: Five Categories of Life
Your words mean so much. I’m so grateful for your friendship and coaching (this year and in the future). xo
Happy Birthday and Happy New Year! Can’t wait to see what 2017 brings for you!
Kristina @ MsModify recently posted…2016: Year in Review -The Best of MsModify
Thank you, Kristina! Same to you!
Happy birthday and happy new year! It can definitely be hard to “live up” to creating a deep post at what seems like the “right” time…but I think the words always come when they need to. Those are some great resolutions! Mine are pretty simple too: think less, live more; embrace growth and change; find the good in the uncertainty. I’m feeling you on the just-graduated-college-ahhhh-feels ;)
Casey the College Celiac recently posted…A College Celiac’s Top Gluten Free Snacks for the New Year
I can’t imagine this post-grad confusion ending but I know it will…eventually. Happy New Year! I can’t wait to see what your year has in store.
Happy birthday and a happy early new year’s eve! I am so sorry 2016 wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be to you and you took much longer to achieve your goals than you had hoped. Same for me. I totally understand the “I don’t know” state. Hope 2017 will be a good year for you though!
Astrid recently posted…My Achievements in 2016
Happy New Year, Astrid! I hope the same for you in 2017. Thanks for your well wishes :)
You did an unassisted pullup, 3 of them? That’s amazing Em, and your post made me think of Proverbs 16:9, ‘A man’s heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.’. God has done wondrous things in your life this year, and I’m thankful to see you growing in the Lord in awesome ways. You look happy. You learned so much. You got to travel; your body and mind healed. And I’m so thankful that God has given you 22 years on this earth.
Emily recently posted…Why Realizing Grace Sped Up My Recovery This Year
That verse is beautiful. Thank you for sharing! I’m so grateful for your friendship.
Happy birthday ;) You are an excellent writer, by the way. Can’t wait to see what 2017 brings!
Megan recently posted…Goodbye, 2016
Thank you so much, Megan. So nice of you to say that. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year AND even more importantly, happy birthday, Emily! I can’t wait to see what 2017 has in store for you with your new job and any other new things coming your way. You do such a great job sharing about your life through your blog and I love reading every single post.
Liv @ Healthy Liv recently posted…7 Biggest Recipe Fails of 2016
Thank you so much, Liv! I’ve loved getting to know you through blogging. Here’s to a great 2017.
loved connecting with you this year and can’t wait to see what 2017 brings you!
Alyssa recently posted…2016 (with lots of pics!)