Happy New Year! I can’t believe it is 2016.
Looking back on 2015, it was truly a year of change for me. I had so many changes on both a personal and professional level that when I really sit down to think about my year, I am simply blown away. They say change is good, and I do agree with that, I do.. but when I am the one going through all the changes ( some good, some not so good) I do start to question that mantra just a little…..
The biggest change for me in 2015 was finally launching Sun Lovin’ Roots. It has been a dream of mine, since I was a kid, to one day have an apparel line of my very own. So when I look back on the last 7 months, I simply can’t believe that I am living out my dream, finally! It feels amazing to know that I created this from scratch, from my own thoughts, feels and vibes. If someone would have told me on January 1st of 2015 that on January 1st of 2016 that this would be my reality, I would have laughed and told them they were crazy. But here I am, CEO’ing it up and I can’t wait for what 2016 has in store for me.
Another change for me was saying goodbye to relationships that were no longer healthy for me. It is a very hard thing to accept that some people are only in your life for season or two. I have mixed feelings still about this one, since I miss some of these relationships dearly, but I know that people grow apart, people change (some for the better, some not) and that you have to be a little selfish and do what is best for you. I tell myself this on a daily basis when I want to pick up the phone to reach out.
Saying goodbye to my little fur babe Gizmo was probably one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. He gave me many beautiful years of friendship and unconditional love. We basically grew up together. He has been by my side since I was 20 years old. Looking back on those years, I am amazed that he survived (I was so young and had no clue what I was doing) but he has been my ride or die, partner in crime through it all. When a guy broke my heart, or something didn't go my way. to losing a loved one, he was there to catch every tear, laugh and smile over the years, and I will miss him dearly.
So how does one say goodbye to a year that had a lot of ups and some downs to it? Very good question and here is my suggestion....
I did an exercise over the weekend, while I was cozied up in bed watching the Golden Girls, that really has helped me show gratitude to my year, 2015. What I did was go month by month and write all the good and amazing things that I was blessed with and what I found is that I have a lot to be grateful for. At the end, I am now left with a beautiful memoir of all the good and loving memories that 2015 gave to me. This is such an easy exercise to do, while you are sitting there watching TV. All you need your calendar, a pen/paper and start writing it out.
Here’s a summary of my year:
2015 I became more confident than I have ever been in my life. I reconnected with friends that I grew up with. It is such an amazing feeling to be around those that know where you came from, that knew you before your life happened. 2015 will always be the year Sun Lovin’ Roots was founded. A year filled with love, loss and change. I am leaving the year with some pretty fabulous friendships that I know will carry on for many, many years to come. I traveled to London and spent a lot of time on the beaches in Mexico. I have my health and every single day that I don’t obsess about food is a great day. Side note-I adopted the vegan lifestyle 7 years ago, and it truly saved me from all my incredibly horrible food demons. I am, for the first time in my life, 100% exactly where I need to be, feeling what I need to feel and doing me. It feels so freaking good to say that out loud.
If you want to wrap up the year feeling all warm and fuzzy, take some time and do the Monthly Gratitude exercise for 2015. It really will help you see how wonderful your year was. I am so happy that I did it and it’s the way I will be ending every year to come.
So now looking forward to 2016… I am not big on making resolutions, I prefer to set goals. Setting goals and then knowing my why makes it much easier for me to accomplish vs. just writing random stuff and hoping for the best. I have overcome such a big obstacle in my life when it comes to the food I eat, so I want to continue on this path of self-love and compassion by bringing the SLR tribe more nutrition and just overall healthy vibe livin’. I know that the vegan lifestyle may not be for everyone, but I do know that making healthier food choices are, so I am working on lots of fun recipes, downloads and programs that will be food for the mind, body and soul.
Also, since we are on the health subject, my own personal journey will be focused more on my mental health and not just my physical health. It’s easy for me to go to a spin or barre class, leaving my mental well being to fend for itself. So I am going to work on leaving the negative self-chatter in 2015. I am going to be reading more books, watching less TV. I became a health coach nearly 4 years ago, so I know the importance of working with someone to have accountability and to talk through the ups/downs of life. So I will be seeking out someone that can be there for me, as I have been there for so many of you. Having someone to listen to you, that isn’t a friend/family member, is good for the soul. I suggest everyone hire a coach/therapist (whatever you want to call them) and get your chat on. I will be working more on spirituality. More meditating, less hating/gossiping. Saying "YES" and figuring out all the details later. Keeping my eye in my lane and not comparing my journey with others.
For the first time in my life, I am all alone and it’s exciting, but also scary. Side note- when I say all alone, I am meaning in terms of I am not taking care of a lil fur baby, not dating anyone, marriage/kids are not in my immediate future, and guess what... I am ok with that! I am building a business, a life that is all mine, calling the shots and doing what is right for me and nobody else. Of course I have amazing support from my friends and family- but at the end of the day, it’s me and I am excited to see what happens.
I hope you start 2016 off with a bang! If there is something that you want, go after it. Whether that is starting a business, quitting your job/moving across the country, letting go of a relationship that you have outgrown, or taking your health and happiness to the top of the list, whatever it is, it’s time to stop thinking about it and just do it.
Would love to hear what your goals for 2016 are. Tell them to me by either commenting below or send me an email to Stacie@sunlovinroots.com, if you would rather keep it offline. I have had a few requests for 1-1 health coaching sessions, and to kick off the year, I am opening up ONLY 5 spots (that is all that I can take on at the moment) so if getting your health on is something that you want to focus on and would like some help/accountability, send me an email, let’s chat!
Thank you for being a part of the SLR tribe beauty.
Sun, Love and New Year Cheers,
Stacie