If I had to pick one word to wrap up 2014, it would be stuck. Don’t get me wrong; there were some really great things about last year… my niece (because she reminds me to be joyful and appreciate the little wonders), my family, Nick, both my offline and online friendships, a fantastic triathlon season, a whole lotta bike love. But, behind so much of that – behind the pretty instagram pics – was this dark cloud of stagnation, second guessing and soul searching.
It was hard.
But, that’s life, and it’s characterized by how you react to what happens to you – and, I should have reacted differently. Hindsight is 20/20, eh?
Not all’s lost, however, as 2014 taught me a lot… most importantly, that life is far too short to spend your days doing something that doesn’t light you up. Sometimes it is ok to quit.
With that, in 2015, there will be more doing and less talking, all guided by my intentions.
alive
I was reading a recent post by Jacki and she said one thing that struck me: I sit here so radically aware that I was actually alive this year. It made me pause and ask myself if I could say the same thing about 2014. The honest answer: nope. So much of last year was going through the motions, sleepwalking through my days, letting someone else dictate my future and, in general, how I felt about myself. That is no way to live. This is not a practice life. It is happening right here, right now. And, if I don’t seize every single moment and make it my own – really be alive – it’s flash forward 15 years and I’ll still be doing something I hate. With that, 2015 is all about being ALIVE and doing things and surrounding myself with people who light me up.
believe
This was one of my 2014 intentions, but it’s important enough to keep around another year. Athletically, I never doubt myself, but personally and professionally? All the time. There is nothing more powerful than believing in yourself, and it’s going to guide me in all aspects of my life this year, down whatever path I choose. Which leads me to my third intention…
you choose
Because every single day we get to choose… how we react to what happens to us, how we spend our time, who we spend our time with, our mood, how much we focus during a workout… we get to choose everything. Nick tells me this all. the. time., and it sometimes drives me crazy, but it’s the truth. This year, I’m choosing happiness, fulfillment, joy, love, positivity and surrounding myself with supportive people who lift me up, believe in me and push me to be a better version of myself.
Have an incredible, intentional year, friends.
35 Comments
I’m excited to see what the year brings for you! I’m trying to make peace with not racing this year, but I can’t help feeling as if some happiness is passing me by as I sit on the sidelines.
Thanks, Amy! And, the same for you 🙂 Soak up with you can do and make the most of where you’re at… the races will always be there 🙂
Absolutely love this. <3 I hope 2015 is everything you want it to be and more.
Thank you, lady! Same to you 🙂
I love your intentions!! Happy to hear that you are leaving the “stuck-ness” back in 2015 and couldn’t agree more that life is really about our choices and how we react to things. The thing that has helped me the most over the past 2ish years is coming to the realization that happiness is a choice. So let’s choose happiness everyday in 2015 🙂
Thanks, Kelsey! Totally agree… it IS a choice and 2015 is all about it 🙂 Hope your year is off to a great start!
beautiful intentions. cheers to 2015!
Thank you, Kristin! Hope your year is off to a stellar start!
This is all great!
I feel like we are in similar positions (except maybe that athletically I doubt myself all the time and last year was really about making steps to CHANGE that mindset…and I’d say I was successful (with some caveats)…on the professional and personal front I wouldn’t say I doubt myself but I don’t challenge myself enough, so similar to your “ALIVE” intention I have a “be challenged” intention.)
I so hope to meet you someday soon! Here’s to a great 2015–full of life.
Love your be challenged intention, too, Alisa! I need more of that in my professional life. Agreed… I really hope our paths cross at some point soon 🙂 Yes to a year of LIFE!
Love this. And beautiful redesign, too.
Thanks so much, Jen 🙂 A couple more changes in the works!
This is going to be a FANTABULOUS year for you…I can feel it!! I wish you everything you hope for and much, much more!!
Thank you, Kecia! I hope the same for you!
Thanks Erin!!
great post, erin! cheers to 2015 intentions – I look forward to watching you be alive, believing, and choosing :)!
Thank you, Kendra! Let’s get together soon!
Beautiful! I love this 🙂 Sounds like maybe we should talk about frustrating situations/being stuck. Cheers to 2015 living out our intentions 🙂
Oopsies, realized it pulled up the old address 🙂
Thank you, Kim! Yes, I will email you this weekend 🙂 xo.
I love your intentions! I have been struggling with the same things so let’s hope that 2015 brings clear direction, hope and joy =)
Thank you, Beth! I think so many women our age are struggling… I’ve heard it for so many. Hope you’re loving your new direction and that your 2015 is off to a great start 🙂
These are awesome! Happy 2015! Hope it is your best year ever!!
Happy 2015 to you, too, Leslie! Hope it’s off to a wonderful start!
You’re right about the image instagram photos portray: based on what I saw over Instagram and your blog, 2014 looked anything but stagnant for you. Then again, I only know you over those mediums…
I love ‘You Choose’! I say that ALL THE TIME!!!!! Especially to my students, I even make them cup their hands together and tell them that their lives are in their hands. I’ve also come to the conclusion through the course of 2014 that life is a result of a series of many choices.
While I agree that we should all be experiencing and living our lives to the fullest, at the same time, I’m on the fence about this pursuit of more. When does it stop? Where does it end? Is it like wanting more material items, and then when you do get them, not being satisfied and instead wanting bigger, better? Each experience must be better than the rest? This is where I’m on the fence. While I like my big experiences, being bold, seeing and doing, I also like living a quiet life in my house in the country, staying at home writing, cooking, baking, watching films with Pat. When I look back at what I’ve done, most of my greatest experiences have been either from something where I had no expectations going in, or an experience that was a result of spontaneity. This is again where I’m on the fence…. I hear what you’re saying though friend 🙂
I love that you make your students do that… you are an amazing teacher 🙂
I’m with you on the pursuit of more. It’s not that I necessarily want more – just more in regards to seeing what my body can do! – it’s more about living a fulfilling life that brings purpose, meaning, joy, happiness. Forget the material things; I’d rather have less stuff, but nicer stuff, you know? And, I’d much rather have experiences over that! Hands down. It’s all about living your best life, being intentional and choosing happiness.
Can’t wait to visit about all this over coffee someday 🙂
Beautiful intentions. Wishing you only incredible things ahead!
Thank you, lady! Hope your 2015 is off to a wonderful start!
Love this. I’m making my 2015 intention to do the things that make me feel alive. No more just going through the motions. I can’t wait to see what 2015 brings for you!
Love it, Shannon! Excited to see your year unfold, too 🙂 Big things ahead!
Beautiful intentions here, Erin. I love how you are so honest, because let’s face it, life isn’t perfect. So much of what we see on social media give us a false perception of reality.. thank you for being real:) Your ‘you choose’ intention really resonates with me. Sure I have pretty IG photos, but I can also be quite the ‘negative nancy’ at times… you reminded me here that I can choose to be happy or I can choose to be negative…. I’m working on it too, girlfriend:)
Thanks so much, Kristin 🙂 We can check in with each other to make sure we’re choosing happiness and living our best lives 🙂 xo.
This post really hits home with me right now because I am currently being faced with a few obstacles that could change my entire season and life. I’m trying to stay positive and keep my head up, but at times it has been difficult. Your thoughts and words remind me that we choose how to live and carry ourselves each day – even though at times, it can be a struggle.
I hope everything is ok, Kristen! Thinking of you and sending positive energy your way <3 xo.
[…] 2015 intentions 2014 intentions 2013 intentions […]