New Year, New Joy

I have no idea what I want next in my life in terms of the big picture. I have no freaking clue if I want to stay in Chicago or move to Colorado. I have no idea if I want to stay at my job or find a new one. I have no freaking clue. I know that I would be happy here and likely would be happy there. But change is always such a gamble. And how do you know if you even need to make a change? Chicago was such a clear choice. Why can't all my decisions be so easy as the decision was to come here?

Here's what I do know. I want to keep traveling and exploring and expanding my worldview. I'm going to go to Seattle to see my friend in June. I want to see the national parks up there, hike, drink wine, and see the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I'm going to go home for a long weekend after my future nephew is born, which I couldn't be more excited about. I want so so so badly to do my first solo trip where I know no one to Ireland. This is what I'm passionate about. If someone would pay me to travel the world, hike, try new things, and meet new people while somehow making a difference, damn--I would have found my absolute dream job. And if it would somehow allow me to keep my cats, that would rule.

This year had its challenges with my health, with car repairs and car accidents, and unexpected expenses. But this year I also accomplished the biggest goal of my life so far. I traveled to Europe and saw London, Paris, and Venice, Florence, Siena, and Rome. And even though half of that was with one good eye, I am so lucky to have had that opportunity. I cannot explain to you how I felt during that trip, especially before my eye issue, but I can try. Have you ever felt those flashes like anything is possible in a moment? That you're so happy and confident and full of joy in a single moment? Because that happened over and over and over. I remember walking through the streets of London late at night with Dominique thinking, "So this is what it's like to be completely free." And I made that happen. You can make your dreams come true. And I plan to continue to do that in 2017.

As far as goals and plans for next year, I just want to be at my healthiest again. I want to learn to take care of my body with the right nutrition and push myself to try new workouts. I want to learn to be more generous and financially smart. I need to come from a place of gratitude rather than a feeling of lack. And I want to travel somewhere new on my own. So here's to another beautiful year that will have it's challenges, but will also be full of new experiences, friends, and joy.