make the most of (the rest of) my twenties

Relationships
-Married and reconnecting with friends and family due to moving closer. A whole new appreciation for relationships and emotional health.

Work
-It’s important and I know I’m effective but its not all of me. There’s more to life than this and I have meaningful work that will hopefully also let me be comfortable financially but cannot define me.

Growth
Not stopping now, when the doors are opening and I’m learning so much!

This goal def. needs an update. I’ve kind of let it molder b/c I never thought I would reach it but I have one year left in my twenties. and I suppose what is most on my mind is what do I want to accomplish in this last year. What can I do that will make entering the 30s easier for me.

I suppose the question start with …what is important to me?

-My relationships
-My work (school and patients)
-My growth – thinking/reading/changing/seeing things in a new way

So far what have I done towards these areas in my final year:
-Working to build a new married life with my husband – regular and daily, difficult but worth it, scary and challenging but loving

-I see the light at the end of the tunnel so I have placed this on as a 43 things goal and following it regularly in bootcamp. Also, trying to do this while keeping balance in mind.

-Identified some things that can change (like gentle self-talk) but also things that have changed (work ethic and self-punitive) but i see lots of room for growth and will keep going
-I have found lots of new creative outlets and I feel like that side of me is really taking shape. I have travelled recently and I always feel that that is broadening to your thinking and provides significant mindfulness

To focus
: less criticism of others, I have high standards and not everyone can/will meet them, including myself
: More openess to new experiences, not waiting until designated ‘traveling’ to try new things
: Being present for life’s pleasures (mindfully)

Now have to percolate on how to concretize these areas of focus

-Wedding is next week!!! Im gonna make it, it appears and all in one piece :)
-Thesis proposal accepted!!!!!!!!!!!, my god such a relief, its a sign that there is a light at the end of the grad. school tunnel
-working on being more mindful and breathing in the moment, not easy but somewhat more accessible
-looking forward to time relaxing with my husband :)...it feels so strange to write that….

-He is here, we live together now, A huge jump forward in our relationship. Im happy to have him here, and even though living together has been a huge adjustment, I look forward to seeing him each day and sleeping beside him at night. He has brought me so much comfort.
-I have found the books of Paulo Coelho…they have made such an impact…I cannot believe I didnt read these books until my 20s but they have made me re-think many things..one particular passage in El Zahir about social rules is my favourite and I look at it often to remind myself that I don’t always have to “follow”
-Im especially proud that Im reading his books in Spanish, a particular challenge for me
-I went on my first vacation/conference alone and it was my second trip to Europe in my 20s :) (new country: Spain, which was beautiful and full of delicious foods)
-planning my wedding, ongoing and fighting the good fight to maintain a positive attitude.
- continued striving on bettering my mind and being in my body
- first 5km….
- its been a tough few months with all the changes…im thinking that the focus of the last few years of my 20s will be on balance..

Soo, as 2009 draws to a close I thought it would be nice to take a look back at what ive been doing with the 20s.
I did go to Ecuador and it was soo great. I re met old friends and met new ones and saw so many neat things. I loved the islands and meeting my little cousins who had not been born since the last time I was there. There has been no progress on the wedding plans but that is somethings I am coming more to peace with, our priority is mostly focused on getting him into the same city with me! Then the wedding can be taken care of. I’ve also been doing more thinking about me, the kind of person I am, or choose to be, the ways I choose to fight and the social norms I choose to conform to. Its been a tough task but I feel better for it. Also, coming up to the end of this year my time capsule is due to be opened… I put it together 10 years ago in high school and now it is due to be opened and Im a little scared. Not sure why but maybe some sort of fear of disapointing my much younger self. However, bold women in their 20s do open their timecapsules and so I will. Im also considering making another one and putting it away for another 10 years.

So I realize that I have not updated this goal in a while so to that end….here goes
Alot has been going on lately some great some not so great but living through these things is def. livening up the 20s.
1) I have booked my trip to Ecuador (which I have not been to in 12 years) and I have convinced my travelling companion to go to the Galapagos Islands as well. Exciting yet scary, Im worried I won’t blend in with the family with all my “Western Ways” but Im excited to see them.
2) I am now a fiancee. I am so happy to be with him and so look forward to our shared lives together. The proposal was grand, flowers, candles, a serenade. One of the most thoughtful acts of love in my lifetime. At the same time our families, though mine in particular, are not altogether happy. Sigh. Im scared about how our future wedding will go.
3) I have been to another conference in Montreal and one in Banff.
4) I have given myself the gift of time, to be with my hobbies and have a greater work life balance. I have started running, woodworking and have caught up on my poetry book.
I didnt realize I had experienced so much…..

So, I m trying something new while trying to cope with the scholastic onslaught!! I met a photographer and agreed to trade modeling time for her art project in exchange for free digital portraits. A truly neat experience, a relaxing photo shoot in her sunroom, and a great gift for my partner.I look at them and I can’t believe its me…it was neat to step out of the bubble,...thats all for now… gonna keep on keeping on….

So I am finally seeing clients for real, since I have made it through the crazy graduate work that is needed to get to this point I really thought that this accomplishment can def. be thought of as making the most of my 20s. Also I have still managed to maintain a social life (though somewhat restricted recently)and I have discovered hot yoga! (though I have to give it up for winter due to sinusitis)Also me and Z are celebrating our 4 yrs. tommorow and with him I always tend to live more. We are trying out a Norwegian style spa with hot and cold baths for the event. Since I am doing new things and not letting myself get overwhelmed by work I think this is living my 20s well

So as part of this goal..i have been trying to balance work and social life more, so im on my work but also i went dancing and out to dinner!. I took my family out for my mom’s bday…was delicious..and invited a new friend out to a movie…I think this was esp brave b/c i have been trying harder lately to issue more social invitations instead of just accepting :) also had a lovely time for my bf bday..now if i got the scholarship i will be set for the next few years and my work for the rest of my 20s will be decided!..fingers crossed

Went to my first latin dance lesson this past weekend, I consider that part of this goal. It was so fun and the instructor said I was a “natural”. I cant’ wait to do this again – so I am trying new things, maybe not as stuck in my ways as I thought :)