Live instead of just existing

After spending some time rearranging my goals today I realized that I haven’t written an entry for this in almost a year. So here’s a “brief” update…

This last year has been INCREDIBLE! It has been life changing, frustrating, liberating, joyful and so much more. I left my full time job last July to fully pursue my dream and finally devote all my attention to my dance studio that I had been running with only half my attention. I took an enormous pay cut to do so but I’ve never been happier. I found ways to reduce my expenses, mainly by moving to a new apartment in a different part of town. And I love both my place and the area! Right now I’m sitting on my front porch with my cup of coffee as I type this.

Making this major life change allowed me to start focusing more on my growth as a person. And I can’t even describe to you how far I’ve come in less than a year. I am a happier, confident and more peaceful person. I rediscovered rock climbing and found it to be something I am absolutely passionate about. It is part of my way of life now. I have rid my life of toxic people and invited in the better ones. I’ve improved my relationships with my mom and sister.

If this last year hasn’t been living then I don’t know what is! There are still days where I’m not fully “in it” but I’m making progress. This goal isn’t done yet, it probably won’t ever truly be complete, but I couldn’t be happier with the progress I’ve made.

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A friend from college that I haven’t seen in a year and a half came into town last night. We met up with another college friend and then the three of us tried dinner at a new restaurant last night and today went hiking at Terry Andre park on the coast of Lake Michigan. We ran up and down the sand dunes, played on the beach & hiked in the forest. Another excellent weekend!

Took a drive two hours north of where I live with some friends today. We visited the Kohler Design Center in Kohler, WI and then headed further north to the Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, WI where we got to tour a submarine from WWII. We finished the day with pizza at a local place in Manitowoc before heading home. It rained all day, but we still had a wonderful time exploring some hidden treasures not far from home.

Wow, this weekend has been a whirlwind but that feels so great. I would rather be exhausted on a Sunday night from making the most of my time, than sitting around waiting for work tomorrow. Friday night I went to two different events, Saturday I rescued a kitten (who is sleeping peacefully next to me now) while on my way to the album release party for a friend’s band (which I went back to after getting the kitty safely home to some food and milk), and today I went to a Brewers game with some friends that I haven’t seen in far too long. Tomorrow its back to work, but I actually feel refreshed from the non-stop action of the past three days. And tomorrow I have to call the humane society about my new kitten to see if there is any protocol for me keeping her. Since I’ve already bonded a bit I’m hoping they’ll be supportive. My mom says I get the animal rescue gene from her :)

Love walking away from anything with good memories and there are a bunch!

...on Saturday having good conversation with good people. Sat on a park bench and watched the sun rise over Lake Michigan with a good friend. What beautiful moments.

I stumbled across a book while on my kindle that I read the sample of and knew I had to have, “Life is a Verb: 37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful and Live Intentionally.”

I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone and everyone, whether this goal is on your list or not. It truly makes you think about the choices you make for yourself and how to live the life you want.

Well, not entirely solo. I’ll be going to Florida at the beginning of October to stand up in a friend’s wedding. So while there will be other people there for the same reason, I’m not taking a date. I’m a little nervous to travel alone, especially for a wedding. Most of the bride and groom’s other friends are married which means that one other bridesmaid and I will be the single girls. I’ve wanted to take a solo vaca for awhile, but the thought of being all alone at a wedding makes me depressed already. So instead of dreading a good friend’s wedding I’ve decided to tackle this vacation as part of a goal. I’m going to embrace going alone and having the freedom to do whatever I want. I’m going to bring a few books to read on the beach, my camera to get some good pics and money for shopping. Here’s to hoping I can make this a positive experience!

Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous weather. Spent the day having brunch outside with friends and then wandering around the city. Couldn’t have asked for a better Sunday!

It is a gorgeous and unseasonably warm day for April in Wisconsin! So, instead of doing laundry and housework I’m going to enjoy some ice cream, driving with the windows down and reading a good book in the sun :)