Starting 2016 with a positive buzz...

31/12/2015

"And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been."
-Rainer Maria Rilke

Dear Beeple people,

What better way to welcome 2016 than by writing my last blog post of the year during a traditional Canadian snow storm with a dash of Rancid. That is exactly what the new year will be: a storm of the unexpected and what has never been. And we, human beings, will have to live through it. Good or bad and sometimes even the horrible. Have you reflected on what 2015 was like for you? Granted once again, you will find some good and some bad, what is important is to learn and appreciate from both.

What storms of the unforeseen have you encountered in 2015?

Take a moment, recap the year

Looking forward, standing on past lessons

What has life brought to you? Was there a general theme to 2015? What dominated your thoughts? Make a list of the positive events that unfolded, places that you traveled to or inspiring people that you met. This short exercise will A) make the abstract more tangible and B) make you realize just how much you have done. In my case, I can definitely say that 2015 revolved around growing with my fiancé now husband: Phil. We were focused on organizing our wedding and all of the many decisions that go with that. What I truly appreciated is that it made us spend so much time together as one and it united the PhIva team even more. So, to do as I preach, here is my short 2015 list of the awesome:

Got married - Epic. Solid. Party.
Met tons of interesting clients at work - their resiliences inspires me daily.
Met the dancers from Les Grands Ballets Canadiens - wooooot!
Signed up to Ballet classes
Traveled to Portugal - spectacular trip.
Met Charlotte & Stella
Spoke and wrote my mind
My nonno celebrating his 94th birthday - so inspiring.

And I could go on. In essence however, these are the main elements that contributed to my happiness in different ways and that I am so thankful for. I am not one for resolutions really, just being aware on aspects I want to achieve or improve will do.

What opportunity knocked on your door? Of perhaps it knocked, but you were too busy to answer. 2016 will then be the year when you open the door and grab the opportunity instead? Whichever it is, just taking the time to write these elements down will clarify your thoughts on what you are happy about and what else you'd like to achieve in the coming year(s). Yes, I put an "s" there because in some cases it may take more time than expected.

Declutter

Welcoming new energy

You want change? Well make sure you make room for it then. We hold on a to a lot of mental and physical rubbish throughout the years, myself included, and we don't realize that those past elements can block out new adventures from flowing in. For example, if your closet is full, you park in the middle of your driveway and haven't learnt any new recipes lately... spiritually, the message you are sending out to the universe is "A new opportunity? Umm, not right now I'm not ready and I have no room for it". In essence, you aren't in the proper mind set for it and you physically haven't made room for it either. So, If we keep holding on to what we find is more important, then the novelty won't come. Or it will but we won't realize that it has.

I can almost guarantee that once you sort through your things at home, be it clothing, buying comfy new sheets and a spare toothbrush for a special someone or learning to cook a yummy risotto, you will set things in motions for yourself. Whatever happens, you will be ready for it. The same way we were all enjoying the mild Montreal weather, we were ready with our big boots and coats, monster ploughs and shovels to clear the snow when the storm hit us and now we're enjoying the winter wonderland too. A little ;) So go ahead and clear a drawer, burn some candles and put on a cucumber mask. Treat the new year like you would a special evening out and slip on your best self. So...shall we? Forward and onward.

Cheers to you and your fabulous new year!

Your faithful,
Tinybumblebee x