A reflection on 2011, what went 'right'

So, here I am, week #1 of the ’52 weeks to simplify your life challenge’: Reflect on 2011, what went right, what energized me and what I am grateful for. Here goes.......

I had actually felt 2011 was a bit of a blah blah year for me especially when compared to fabulous years like 07, my best year ever!! However on reflection a lot went ‘right’ for me this year and I have much to be grateful for. I have been reading and loving the blogs of other ladies taking on this challenge as I have never blogged before. I wish I knew how to attach links and photos but I will learn more about this blogging business as I go along….

Anyway I went of track (which I do often)…….

2011 what went 'right' and what am I grateful for?

Starting briefly with the biggies.....


I am so very grateful for my healthy happy little girl.

I am grateful for a wonderful caring and loving man in my life. 

I am grateful for my parents, brother and sister and all their love and support. 

I am grateful for my friends, new and old who enrich my life.

There were many positives throughout 2011 starting with my Miss Emilie starting school and thankfully loving it. The transition from kinder to school is such a nervous time as you hope you have made the right decision on school and you want them to thrive, grow and make new friends. Thankfully she did all that and so did I. What an amazingly proud moment to see my little girl in her school uniform on that first day. And I love this school too. It has no resemblance to the greyness of schools that I remember as a child. This is a place where the grass is always green, the birds are singing, everyone is always cheery and the kids are happy. This was to be the place where I met many lovely mums, and one person in particular who would become a very close friend over the course of the year. She is just about to arrive with her snowy haired boy for a play date! 

In 2011 I was also very fortunate to change to a new job and new location after much stress and uncertainly following redeployment (that is a long painful story not for here) I suddenly found myself working among strong, knowledgeable, understanding women and learning so many new skills. I found out I loved research! Yuk you might say but I love it. 

A huge positive this year was that I was able to keep working part time and therefore was able to play a big part in Emilie's first year at school and spend time regularly helping at school, do the school drop off and be there most afternoon to see the school bags on legs running up the hill each afternoon screaming “Mum!”. Hot food days were a hilarious highlight, trying to make 250 hot dogs and watching 9 or 10 mum all trying to be assertive and chief in the kitchen! 

In a year that saw many of our friends and family struggling with health issues and injuries, I am grateful for my relatively good health in comparison to many others around me. Regular myotherapy appointments generally keep my aches and pains at bay and while I am forever worried about my weight, I am thankfully feeling and 'looking well’ (touch wood)

Another positive moment of 2011 was when Michael and I took off for (what is becoming) our annual 4 day romantic getaway to QLD and this year we returned to one of our favourite places, Palm Cove. It is such dreamy relaxing place to go, I never tire of it. We had a great time just enjoying time with each other and we met some lovely people.

2011 saw us have many many good times at home with family and friends. We partied hard this year with numerous spa nights, the grand final celebration, Halloween, Christmas and many others.

When I reflect back I think I was also a little gentler on myself this year and more able to go with the flow when things changed or plans derailed as they invariably do. Michael would probably disagree with me but I feel I have grown in that area.

I am excited by this 52 week challenge for a number of reasons. It is wonderful first challenge to take a moment to look back at 2011, reflect on the positives and take stock of all the things in my life that I am grateful for. It has already energized me for the year ahead! 

Bring on challenge #2