2015 – What I Learned

Each year on the blog I like to look back on the year that was… the highs, the lows, and the moments and events that really struck a cord with me. This year I’ve decided to do things a little differently though. Instead of focusing on individual events, I want to take stock of a few big lessons I learned, and how I learned them. I’m four days late, but better late than never, right? 

1. Family and friends are everything
Above work. Above money. Above image. Above everything. I’ve spent time with people who care more about what car you drive or where you went to school or how many Instagram followers you have than who you really are, what’s in your heart, what your passions are and what makes you tick. They aren’t real friends and they definitely aren’t family. Spend time with the people who think you’re beautiful when you wake up in the morning, who love you when you’re at less than your best and who laugh at your worst jokes. These are your people.

2. Never go to sleep arguing with someone you love
Late in 2015 a very dear friend of mine lost her mum. It happened unexpectedly and quickly, and while they were lucky enough (although calling it lucky feels wrong) to have a chance to say goodbye, it really brought home to me how fickle life can be, and how quickly things can change. I’ve always been very open with telling my family how much I love them, but recently I’ve tried to be more liberal with telling my friends how I feel too.

2. Be vulnerable
Argh. This is a tough one for me. I’m naturally quite a defensive person in many ways… an introvert to a certain extent. I really genuinely love people, but sometimes I find it difficult to give too much of myself away. But this year I found myself called out on my (lack of) vulnerability and for the first time in my life I really wanted to open up more. The reward has been pretty special – I’m now in the best and most honest relationship I could ever hope for, and I also think it’s improved my relationship with friends and family as I try to take my vulnerability lessons into all areas of my life.

3. You never know who you are touching… metaphorically at least
When I started this blog, my main goal was to make a healthy lifestyle more attainable for people without the resources to hire a PT or join a gym. Time, money, access, confidence, space… whatever the reason, on Lazy Girl Fitness, we would find a solution for pretty much anyone. Sometimes I’ve faltered mentally though – self doubt would have me wondering whether I was reaching anyone at all. My biggest ‘oh my god someone is really listening!’ moment came for me when one of the zoo keepers at Taronga recognised me and thanked me for the effort I put into the blog. It was the first time I’d come face to face with a total stranger who let me know that I had impacted their life in some way, and it reminded me that sometimes we make a difference without even realising it.

4. Something good is probably just around the corner
For me, this year, the most amazing developments came on a personal front. If 2014 was the year I focused on myself and LGF, 2015 was my year of looking outward. I’ve always had quite a small group of really close friends, most of who I’ve known for a long time, so I actually surprised myself that in 2015 (at age 32) I am still lucky enough to be meeting people who can mean so much to me. And after more than a year of being quite happily single, in 2015 I was also lucky enough to meet a man who makes me laugh every single day. If you’d told me this time last year that within 12 months I’d meet my best friend, move in with him and feel truly excited for the year ahead I wouldn’t have believed you… but that’s exactly what happened! You really never can tell what’s around the corner, so you might as well assume it’s something amazing!

Now we’re four days into 2016 and I’m pretty darn excited to see what it brings my way. Every day is what we make of it, so let’s get out there and kick some goals.

Lots of love

xx