Saturday 4 January 2014

Don't worry, be happy

Image via weheartit

If 2012 was about change, both seeking it and then dealing with it when it happened (or didn't happen), then 2013 was a year of adventures.  Literal adventures - I spent more time on planes and trains last year than I care to count - and metaphorical,  as I embarked on the adventure of falling in love and beginning to build a life with a fantastic person.

When I sat down this year to write an end-of-year/start-of-year/goals & resolutions-type post, it made me take a long hard look at my life.  And when I did that, I realised something awesome: I pretty much have everything I ever wanted.

A beautiful home that, in the not-too-distant-future, I'll get to share with a brilliant dude.

A job that - while demanding and stressful - is never dull.  I work with great kids, I talk about books and writing all day, and I manage to maintain a reasonable work-life balance despite the crazy hours teachers have. 

A good wage that enables me to buy the things I want, go on fun date nights, and travel regularly.

A family that is happy, healthy, and only a couple of hours drive away.

A group of friends, both IRL and online, who I know are there for me no matter what.

A body with which I am more at peace than ever before.

A man whom I love, and am loved by, and who makes every moment spent with him a joy.

And so my goal for 2014 is to realise how fucking lucky I am, and to remember all of the good before I dwell on the small irritants of life.  This goal is important because I suppose the only fly in the ointment of 2013 was being diagnosed with not one, but two long-term medical conditions that, while both manageable, are exacerbated by stress.  I always thought I dealt with stress pretty well, but my body had other ideas.  While my mind stays (relatively) calm, my body betrays me and can make me feel pretty miserable.  I figure that if I can count my blessings and be happy about the good stuff, maybe the bad stuff - my stupid illnesses - will improve and then I really will have everything I could need.

9 comments:

  1. Oh wow, so much of this echoes the post *I* just published. I'm glad you're so much happier this year and glad you're focusing on the joy and glad you're tackling the health stuff, and I hope this is the year we get to talk about it all in person!

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    1. That's weird - they really are almost word-for-word at times! And yes, 2014 really needs to be the year we finally meet up x

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  2. Ah, what a great post! It sounds like you're in a great place, and I'm sure 2014 is going to be a great year for you! Happy New Year!

    Janey x

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  3. I'm really glad to hear that you're feeling happy with your life right now - remembering to be grateful for it is such a lovely resolution :) What a positive start to 2014!

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    1. I just hope I can maintain it once the stresses and strains of work start to bite!

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  4. Yay, it sounds like you've had a great year and things are going well :) I feel a bit like this aswell, isn't it funny when you stop and think and realise that life is pretty darn good?! Hope 2014 is awesome for you x

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    1. I think sometimes it's a good thing to take a moment to look around and realise, hey, I have it pretty good here!

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  5. This is such a positive post, I love it.

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