2019 is here and it's time to start fresh. Time to reset and clear the slate - and the air - literally.

The new year brings with it its own set of drama. Take for example the recent government shut down. I was a federal contractor during the last shutdown and let me tell you, it wasn't fun. It was quite scary, and as we move into the almost-4th week of this, you can't help but wonder when will it get fixed?

Its funny, when I called my husband at work on Friday to vent about yet another instance of drama, he said that 2019 is not taking any prisoners. Y'all 2019 is savage AF and we're only 12 days into the new year. Good grief! But, alas, sadness may be here today but the sun will shine tomorrow so we have hope.

So what have I been up today? Chile, trying to keep my head above water. Why does it seem like the whole world restarted all on the same day, and everyone dropped a bucket load of work all at the same time? Probably because they did. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do but part of leaving corporate America was to seek balance right? Well, I'm a little off balance now and it's time to make some adjustments.

I'm starting fresh with 2019 and it begins with me. It begins with updating my vision board, thinking about what I want and need to do next and going after the things that bring me peace, joy and fulfillment in life.

With that said, I'm going to continue digging myself out of this mountain of work and then do something that makes me happy....

Cheers!

I stopped everything I was doing to sit down and write this post because I needed to get this out, so here we go....

2018 was...interesting to say the least. I can't say it was the best year ever but I can't say it was the worst. If anything, it was the year of revelation. The year a lot of things were revealed to me about various aspects of my life. For example,

- take a leap of faith. Taking a leap of faith and leaving the corporate world (both by choice and not by choice) was the best decision ever for my family. It afforded me more time with kids, more time nurturing my home and our relationships. I feel closer than ever to them.

- feed your marriage, feed your soul. Spending more time on my marriage made me fall in love more with my husband. I don't talk alot about this wonderful man I married but one day I will tell our story (and baby, a story it will be!) but I couldn't be half of who I am today if it weren't for his constant faith, encouragement and support. His man loves on me physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. THAT is what you need.

- money won't fix everything. Just because you make more money, doesn't mean it will fix all of your problems. All money isn't good money and sometimes you have to turn down a client or a deal or an risk in order to keep your sanity.

- I can do this. I was TERRIFIED of striking out on my own and I am every.single.day. But, I realized that I can do this. I can make it happen. Sure some bills may fall behind, and some days run into nights and run into other days, but I'm doing it. Slowly, but surely.

- health is wealth. I am not spending enough time managing my physical, mental and emotional health. Sure I try, but am I consistent? Heck no! I can't help others if I'm not helping me.

- find your happy place. My family vacation and even going to the grocery story with my family is my happy place. In fact, anything that I do with just my family is my happy place. They are what keeps me grounded. Once you find your happy place, feed it. Take care it. Go there whenever you want it.

- sleep is crucial. I'm pretty sure I have high blood pressure (I haven't been officially diagnosed but I think I do) and it is a result of not enough sleep and stress. I need more sleep and damnit, I'm going to get it. 

- turning off is ok. I felt so guilty on days I didn't do anything and that by the time I realized I needed a break, I had worn myself down to the bone.

- friends make the world go round. My friend Naomi wrote this wonderful post about her reflection of 2018 and she talked about the passing our dear friend Nikki, which caught all of us by surprise. But out of the sadness came a rekinkled sisterhood and friendship that was started falling apart years ago. But you know what we did? We didn't ask what went wrong, we didn't dwell on past - we hugged each other, said we were going to get through this and we are doing that. Together. As sisters.

So, 2018, it was real, but in 2019 I'm going to face my shortcomings (though I hope they are fewer than before) and come out of the other side renewed. Cheers!