“If we all did the things we are really capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.”
― Thomas A. Edison

Each year for the past four years I’ve chosen a word for setting intentions in the new year. Last year was the year of action. And was it ever. I set out to do so many things, and write about it all. I consistently blogged this year almost every week with the exception of the past few months due to a focus on job searching. I wrote about the Best 10 Experiences of 2019 recently and will highlight just a few. 

I’ve shared stories over this past year of taking my first international trip, learning to kayak, becoming a rafting guide, going skydiving, moving to a new home, and riding a horse. I’m so proud of all the choices I made to do things that put me WAY outside my comfort zone! 

Now, I’m exhausted. So, I’m doing less in 2020, but focusing more on a few things.

Here’s a list of what I’m letting go of for the new year: 

Letting go of blogging 

If I do travel, I may not write about it. If I learn a new skill or try a new scary thing, I’m not holding myself to blogging about it. This blog took up a TON of my time last year and I gave myself a hard time if I missed posting. So, I’m going to leave it open to my choice. If I feel like sharing something, I’ll do so, but if I’m really busy, I’m not blogging.  

Letting go of expectations

The biggest decision I made this year was about letting go of my full-time sales job to venture into freelance work and doing part-time sales jobs to help fill the income gap. I want to take things slower in 2020. I’d like to be more intentional with my decisions. To do that, I need to be able to have clarity, which is what I hope to do in the first six months of the year, identify what I really want to do with my life and let go of the expectation that I need to make a certain amount of money, or have “things” or “relationships” that only serve to validate the expectations of society.

Letting go of worrying about everything 

The past decade was fraught with doubts about my ability to make a living. I bounced from job-to-job for a long time, wondering how to make it. I feel like I’ve tried everything and still could try other things. I am constantly thinking of the next thing that will “work out” but not giving my time to what it is I’m actually doing. This will allow me to stop worrying if something is going to work out, I’ll just do it and set a deadline for reevaluating the results. This will allow me to stay focused on what’s in front of me instead of looking all around and wonder if I’m on the right path. 

A few things I’m going to focus on for 2020

Connection with self – I’m taking a course at the beginning of the year to develop a deeper connection to who I am and how to be my best self. 

Developing a plan for writing – Over a year ago I said I wanted to be a travel writer, now is the time. “If not now, when.” I’ll be doing some online learning to grow my skills and build a freelance writing business. 

Open Travel Plans – I have ideas about where I want to go in 2020 but I’m “winging it” so the places I’d like to go are fluid, they may change. No more waiting for “PTO”-  I can make decisions based on my financial situation if an opportunity comes up that makes sense to do and take the leap! 

Travel Ideas – Family visit with cousin and work trip to Atlanta, GA,  would like to visit friends in California, to go to a writing workshop in Florida, to do a week with my family at the beach, and the possibility of traveling with friends to Japan. 

Networking with others- In addition to getting out into the community, traveling, and taking new steps in my Location Independent journey, I’ll be attending Camp Indie in the summer to learning how to grow a business. I’ll also be building a local community of people who are interested in learning about mindfulness. 

Promoting my artwork – I’m returning to art exhibits and will host an “Artist Reception” that will be announced at the beginning of 2020. I recently delivered 10 large-scales artwork pieces to the Radisson Hotel Harrisburg and will have an “opening” to present the work to the public. I am hoping to also network with local business owners to possibly partner for growing my photography artwork sales to bring in revenue in the new year. 

That’s it! I’m so thankful for all of my readers. I talk to so many friends who tell me that I’ve inspired them by writing about my challenges, and my life in an open and honest way. I really look forward to writing and will truly miss sharing my life experiences, failures, and successes with all of the people who’ve visited this website. I may return but with more clarity and intention.  

Goodnight, and good luck! Happy New Year to all!