One Year Blogging Anniversary!! And a Giveaway!

*The videos are important to the flow of the post..you might want to set aside a little more time to check out the whole post*

Technically, my one year blogging anniversary is tomorrow 🙂 I can’t believe that last year on Christmas Eve I was sitting in Denver Eric’s living room listening to cool music as he converted my blog from blogger to WordPress. I don’t think he realized it at the time, but I was really freaking out and wondering if I was crazy? I couldn’t figure out why I was feeling compelled to do this blogging thing and I had quit the first two times I tried to do it. Why was I trying again?

I began to write.  I wasn’t sure what my purpose was other than finding a purpose. When I began blogging I had no sense of direction-for my LIFE! I was single, broke, overweight, had worked the same job for 10 years, listless, and became increasingly worried that this was it. I suffered from severe anxiety every Sunday night and insomnia because I dreaded going to work. There was an extremely toxic situation at work that included being berated in front of other people (not just me, other people too) being told to fill ice trays, and just being made to feel like crap about myself.

I couldn’t leave the job the job-I was broke.

I was worried that I would start drinking wine in my house every other night while singing “All by myself” like in Bridget Jone’s Diary. Oh wait, I was doing that! And, emotional eating.

I continued to blog.

I just focused on committing to something other than work, committing to something that was all about me.  It was hard to do because I had spent so much time taking care of everyone else but myself.

My job still sucked. Not because of what I was doing, who I worked for, or the organization-those were great. There were days when I felt like I was a character in the movie “Office Space.” And I wasn’t wearing enough flair.

I continued to write.

I discovered that I wasn’t the only one feeling this way. It wasn’t just some GenXer angst. People began to comment on my posts and they said that they understood. That they too were at a crossroads in their life too. That they weren’t happy or were happy with their lives and shared their stories with me.

I had found a community. A group of people who wanted me to succeed, who believed I could do anything that I put my mind to, and who became my metaphorical “wingmen.” As a single person-that was huge.

I kept writing.

I didn’t have a lot of readers but the people who read my blog were special to me. They took time out of their day to read what I wrote and value what I was feeling.  I began to meet those wonderful people in real time and those connections were and still are very important to me. Those connections have helped change my life and reignite the fire to change within me.

During this past year a lot of amazing began to happen. I almost can’t believe it because I had begun to lose hope. I wasn’t sure that it was possible for my life to change because things had stayed the same for so long.

1. I applied to and was admitted into a work program whose primary aim was professional development. That program had me connect with other people in my field. I was sent to Atlanta, St. Louis, and Montana at different points of the year for conferences and had an opportunity to present a session for the first time at a work conference. This program helped me to enjoy my field again and I am very fortunate that I was able to participate in this program.
2. No Shopping Challenge-I embarked on a year long No Shopping Challenge-I freed up a ton of cash and I have a very different feeling about shopping and fashion after this year. I won’t get into it now, as I’ll write about that in April. I feel really proud of myself for sticking with this challenge.
3. I showed up for my friends-literally-My bff is British. She got married in May and I was able to travel to London for her wedding and pay for everything with cash. I spent around $1900 which is about $300 over the average amount that a bridesmaid spends in the United States. Considering that included a trip abroad, bridesmaid dress, the Hen Do (Bachelorette Party) and miscellaneous fun stuff I find that amazing!
4. The toxic situation at work FINALLY ended-after 6 years!! I really enjoy working with my colleagues now and we are a true team in every sense of the word. While we may have our own personal agendas about our personal careers we are keeping true to our primary objective-which is to deliver great service to our clients. I feel supported and heard and no longer suffer from insomnia, emotional eating, and severe anxiety related to my job.
5. I am a lot more relaxed now and have noticed a clear link between debt and stress. The less debt I have the more my stress has gone away. My emotional eating has also tapered off and I’m feeling a lot more “together.”
6. I took my mom on our first mommy/daughter trip in YEARS to New York City-paid for in cash. Went to the U.S. Open my mom was so happy and it was a priceless experience.
7. I paid off  3 out of my 4 credit cards!!! I needed these small wins so that I could turn my attention to the big boys-the two student loans.
8. I got my stuff out of storage!! This was a 10 year saga. I’m still getting used to not paying the bill. I’m still anxiously looking at my bank account and wondering if the automatic withdrawal will happen. I still can’t believe it’s real.
9. I am training for a 1/2 marathon which has been very intimidating to me. I will end up running and walking it because of a wonky knee but that’s ok. *Changed the race that I will be running-post on that at the end of January.
10. I am saving money!! I had to get used to doing it again. I used to be quite good at saving money-for trips 🙂 I just had to keep trying for something a little important-my piece of mind!
11. Starting the process to self-employment and location independent work. AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS!

I’m beginning to feel different about everything. About myself. About life. About love. About the people around me. Life is GREAT! Not perfect, but pretty damn good.

I’m beginning to feel good again and it’s wonderful and maybe a little sad because everyday that I’m alive I should be happy. It’s a slow going process but I’m feeling better with each passing day.

I want to work for myself, I want to meet “The One.” I want to travel, and have a teeny tiny. I believe that’s in the cards for me. I am working on manifesting what I want. I can’t wait!

I want to say “Thank You!” The value of your support is quite honestly-PRICELESS. I couldn’t have done it without you. Please check out the Giveaway on the right hand side of my page.

Can’t wait for 2014. It’s going to be an amazing year! See you in New Orleans.

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Michelle

I am an obsessive foodie, but not self-righteous with it, love travel, meeting new people, helping you look good, and am freaked out by people who don't enjoying reading...something! Grab a Perrier, read my blog, feel free to drop me a line! Hope to hear from you soon.

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