2017: That's a Wrap!

I could start this post off with a cliche statement like, "It's 2018 already?! I feel like 2017 went by soo fast!" But, to be honest, 2017 went by at what seemed like kind of a normal speed. There were moments when I wondered where the time went, but there are also moments that feel so far away.

2017 was a year of personal growth for me, as you know if you've been following along. The last half, I really tried to focus on self-improvement mentally and emotionally and I think it's starting to pay off. I'm not going to spend a lot of time recapping, in detail, every little thing that happened (that's what monthly wrap-ups are for). Instead, I'd like to do something a little more fun: lists! I love lists, and so I wanted to wrap up the year of 2017 with them. I'll start with my favorite things and then end with my goals for the new year - which we're already a week into. Also, a note: when it comes to movies, TV shows, and songs, I'm well aware that most of them have been out far longer than just this year. They're things I got into in 2017, even if they were out for a while beforehand. :)

I have good feelings about 2018. I'll be turning 29, entering into my third year of marriage, and starting the year off with more self-confidence in my personal relationships. Whatever plans, goals, or resolutions you have planned for this year, I hope you make them happen.

Top Lessons

1. Fitness classes work for me. I went through a phase of buying a ton of at-home DVD workouts, or I signed up for free videos on YouTube. But my reality is that I do better in a space with a live instructor. I can do at-home workouts with music in my basement on my own, but if it has someone on a TV screen telling me what to do, it's less enjoyable. It feels too generic. I enjoy having my instructor say, "Ashley, you can hold that plank longer! You got this!" Or just knowing that what she/he is saying, she/he is saying it to our class, the unique makeup of people there with me on that day, in that moment. It's personal. And I love that. And I'm excited that I'll be continuing trying and taking classes into 2018, in person, and making friends along the way.

2. Slow down and be thankful. This is a big one that I know I'll be working on going into the new year because I tend to put my blinders on when I get frustrated, really busy, or stressed. In the moment, it's difficult for me to pause, take a deep breath, and be thankful for all the things I have going right in my life. But it makes things 10000x better for me when I do. The in-the-moment problem seems so insignificant. I'm getting better, but my biggest areas of improvement are a) when I'm working and getting slammed with tasks, and b) when I'm in the car in traffic.

3. Listen to my body. This has actually turned into a fun one because it's made me rein in my in-the-moment cravings and ask what would actually make me feel my best. Most of the time, when I act on what my body wants, I'm leaning more toward fresh, delicious salads or nutritious plant-based meals. This was something I started doing at the end of 2017 and also something I thought I would NEVER be doing. While I still have a long way to go before I would consider myself totally "in tune" with my body, I am definitely more aware than I was a few months ago.

4. Find freedom within limitation. Realizing that in order to thrive, I needed to limit was a total light bulb moment that happened from a She Reads Truth devotional. Cutting out all the things that were detracting from me living my best life (is still in progress and) has helped me focus, feel lighter, and allow myself to expand into the space that was made just for me. This lesson, as well as the other three, are definitely ones I'm carrying with me into 2018 to continue working on.

Top Adventures

1. Getting Chip.

2. Growing a garden.

3. Crabbing with my husband and father-in-law.

4. Attending the Baltimore Orioles' opening day on the 25th anniversary of Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

5. Visiting my sister-in-law and her husband in Tennessee.

6. Celebrating our one-year anniversary in Rehoboth.

7. Visiting Valley Forge.

8. Taking Robby on Skyline Drive/to Shenandoah National Park for the first time.

Top Fails

1. The "Cooking Every Recipe" challenge with the Thug Kitchen cookbook. Just . . . nope.

Top TV Shows

1. TURN: Washington's Spies

2. The People vs. OJ Simpson

3. Diana Special on HBO

4. Parks & Recreation

Top Movies

1. Lion

2. Dunkirk

3. Wonder Woman

4. Hacksaw Ridge

5. Moana

6. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Top Songs

1. Chocolate by The 1975

2. Sorry Not Sorry by Demi Lovato

3. Castle on a Hill by Ed Sheeran

4. Galway Girl by Ed Sheeran

5. Something Like This by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay

6. Thunder by Imagine Dragons

Order of Chrises

1. Chris Evans

2. Chris Hemsworth

3. Chris Pratt

4. Chris Pine

(Thank you Leah.)

What I'm Looking Forward to

1. Creating a new reading list for 2018.

2. The TV Show, "Making It," with Nick Offerman and Amy Poehler.

3. Lots of other things, but I just wanted to note those two things in particular :)

Goals for 2018

I ordered an Inkwell Press planner for this year, and part of it is creating a mission statement for the new year. This helps guide my actions, and focus my goals and even my hobbies. So my 2018 Mission Statement is:

To appreciate and enjoy my family and friends, and my health by being honest, brave, and understanding with myself in the way I am with others so that I can exercise the discipline and dedication that I admire in those I love.

With that in mind, I have a TON of personal goals in my planner that are broken down into personal, social, financial, health, home, and BIG categories. I'm not going to share ALL of those because I think, goals especially, should be a private commitment that other people don't really need to know about (at least, I feel more motivated when I don't make it public), but I'll share a few :)

• Pick one passion project and do it well.

• Read a book a month.

• Practice guitar for at least 30 min/week for now, pick it up more throughout the week. (The ultimate goal is BAR CHORDS, but I've been "trying" to learn those for years.)

• Continue opening up emotionally with my family.

I hope you all find joy in the coming year, set aside your fear of failure, and set out to make your goals achievable. Let me know what you're working on in 2018 and how you plan to get shit done! :) Much love. xoxo

All photography in this post was taken by A Natural Portrayal Photography.