The year is coming to an end. It has been a fascinating, difficult, and challenging 2014. But, as I get older I realize that every year is a composite of exactly that: the good and the bad. The key to living is learning how to manage each difficult (and fabulous) situation with grace and good humor.
Recently I watched a Joel Osteen sermon where he talked about not trying to force what we want in life. Basically he was discouraging clinging too hard to the hopes and dreams that we are focusing on for ourselves. Instead, he talked about not only trying for what you want…but to have faith that things will work themselves out the way that they need to in the long run. To stop clinging so hard.
Once you stop holding too hard to what you want you walk through life at lot more at ease and create the space for things to happen. This past year for me has been all about letting go. There are so many things that I would like to happen, but holding tight to all of those hopes and dreams was just stressing me out. So instead, I will embrace the beauty of each day. The sunrise, the incredible blue Colorado sky, talking to my friends, laughing at something random with my Grandma, or having a wonderful talk with my mom over coffee.
As time went on this year the more I let things go the happier I felt. Huh.
I let go of:
- Old Clothes
- Paper
- Negative people
- A little bit of weight
- Some debt (even though I added to it) sigh
- Negative thoughts
That’s a lot of things to hold onto. I feel a lot better since I started letting stuff go.
Some Link Love
Stefanie from The Broke and Beautiful Life ponders The Trouble With Moderation
Kylie Ofiu talks about her past year. Amazing. She’s a Rock Star. For realz.
Brian (and his family) from Debt Discipline were on Dave Ramsey for their debt free scream. AWESOME!
Joanna and Johnny from Our Freaking Budget are moving back to NYC!
Jessi from the Budget Mama talks about showing up for yourself. Every single day.
TSMCP Around the ‘Sphere
Shannon from The Heavy Purse shared my post Three Things That I Did This Year That Changed My Life.
Kassandra from More Than Just Money also kindly shared the same post.
Three Week Vacation
You may have noticed a trend over the past year that I may have expressed (constantly) that I’m a little…TIRED. I am freaking tired. So, I’m taking some time off to get my energy back! There are a lot of changes coming up for The Shop My Closet Project and I will need fresh energy to ROCK THOSE changes!
Next Post is on Friday, January 2, 2015
I am so excited for 2015 and I want to thank you for being so supportive this year. Without your continued readership, suggestions, and good energy I probably would have had a very different year.
I’m looking forward to reading about your adventures, supporting you, and for all of us to have an amazing 2015.
I’m going to sleep now,
Michelle 🙂
Happy Holidays!!
*Santa Monica Pier-2013*
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I agree with not clinging too hard. I see it happen all the time in the acting industry, and it winds up making people miserable. Yes, follow your dreams, but do so in a way that’s sustainable- take the right action steps but also foster your happiness in ways that serve you every day and have faith that the dreams with come to fruition.
I just have to have faith that things will work out, while at the same time working for what I want. I think that it’s very easy to get focused on the future and forget that we’re living in this moment. I feel a lot more relaxed and in control of things because of this shift in perspective.
Have fun on your break! 🙂 I do agree that clinging too tight to something squeezes the life out of it. You do you what do then let go and see what sticks.
No more clinging!!! Blah. I don’t even have the energy to cling to things anymore.
Enjoy your break! Looking forward to when you resume in 2015 🙂
Thanks! I am so excited to take a break.
I enjoyed reading your posts this year. I will be working on letting go of a lot of the clutter in my life in 2015 and living a more intentional life as well. I learned over the last couple of years perspective is extremely important and was the first thing I needed to change when I started my journey a couple years ago. I am now ready to take the last few steps, many highlighted here, to get to where I would like to be.
When it comes to not clinging too hard I agree. I now try to live my life in the middle of these two quotes/concepts…A goal without a plan is just a wish….and when You plan, God laughs. So I try to leave enough flexibility in there for if something does not happen the way I would like, I know things are still working out for the best.
I look forward to reading your posts in the new year.
Happy Holidays! Enjoy your break!
I love the “Goal without a plan is a wish” quote!! I just had to create the space to actually gain perspective. Thank you very much all of your support and I am excited to see how 2015 unfolds for you. What type of clutter are you getting rid of in 2015? You know what don’t tell me, I’ll just read your blog. Happy Holidays 🙂
Good for you for taking a break. Enjoy the simple things in life and little time outside is great for restoration!
Thanks! I am all about the simple things and I love going outdoors and chilling out.
Enjoy your time off and happy new year!
Thank you and Happy New Year!! See you on the other side 🙂
I hope you enjoy your well-deserved break!
I see what you mean about letting go. I have big dreams too, so I’m trying to find the balance between enjoying the every day but also creating a better future.
Things were just frustrating me so much that I knew I had to make a change. I am achieving my goals at a pace that I can sustain and I’m a heck of a lot happier because I’ve given myself a break. Happy Holidays!!
Enjoy your well deserved break Michelle and all the best in 2015!
Thanks Kassandra! Have a beautiful Holiday 🙂
Enjoy your break! You are so wise to take one. Is this another example of letting go? I would say so : )
Thanks!!
Have a wonderful break and a Happy New Year.
Happy New Year!
I love the letting go of negative thoughts approach–so smart! They don’t do us any good! I hope you have a wonderful and refreshing break. I look forward to seeing you (online 🙂 ) in the new year! Take care!
Thanks! Happy New Year 🙂
That’s a great point about how clinging too hard to something does you no good. After all, people change and if we are too stubborn to change our goals along the way, we will probably end up miserable because of it. That being said, I am very guilty of feeling the need to have a plan and execute it perfectly.
I need to do as you suggested and let go of a few things.
It’s so frustrating because I want to be in control of so many things. The reality is that I’m not in control of anything. We are constantly making adjustments as we go through each day. Every time I’ve held on too hard to something it never worked out. So, I am trying the opposite approach which is just going with the flow and trying my best everyday with whatever plan that I’ve set for myself.
Happy Holidays! Looking forward to reading in January!
Thanks Alexis! Happy New Year and I’m starting to gear up for 2015. Can’t wait!
Enjoy the break girl!
I am! Hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season with your fiancé!
Have a fabulous break Michelle! Way to be awesome and have a post planned for that far in advance! 🙂
Thanks!! Congrats on killing so much debt. Awesome.
Thanks! 🙂
have good relaxing moments, enjoy this time using it only for yourself!!!
Thanks, I feel a lot better and am ready for 2015. Happy New Year!
Michelle, it’s good to know that you’re able to let go of things. Most people can’t do it and still hold on to things. I remember that I donated some clothes to an orphanage this year. I hope you’re having a blast! Happy Holidays!
Jayson, it took awhile to get to the point where I just didn’t want to hold onto all of the things stressing me out. It’s so much easier to let it go. I love it. Things are great. Happy Holidays! 🙂
I hope you enjoy your three week vacation!
I am Holly-trust me!
Happy break! I love what you said about letting things go. My word for this year (instead of resolutions) is SURRENDER, so it fits the theme of what I’m thinking about right now oh so perfectly.
I love that your word is “surrender.” Fantastic. I feel calm just reading that. I don’t know why people embrace stressful situations,etc. Life is too short for that.
Hope you are enjoying your three week vacay and are getting a lot of rest! Recharge sister, you work very hard. I hear you (and Joel O) I’m doing some serious mental purging. I hope that eventually translates into actual purging. You’re right, we carry around a lot of extra stuff. Here’s to a lighter 2015.
I am getting a lot of rest. I feel a lot better and am looking forward to working hard and rocking several large projects for 2015. Did you take a break yet???!!