Reflecting back on the year as I endure this bout of “I have to work tomorrow night” sort of insomnia, listening to the rain, and letting my hair air dry before I am able to squeeze in some beauty sleeps.

This year has been a whirlwind, my first full year, January to December, 12 months, away from most of my family and my home state of crazy California. Don’t get me wrong, I love and cherish living north, appreciating the lifestyle and beauty that the Pacific Northwest offers. I don’t know if I could move back to California because I do love this life here. As I have only lived a short 23 years, most of my time has been in California so there’s still this bittersweet beckoning I find myself listening to but have no intention of answering in this moment of my life.

So there, 12 months. And a few hanging off the end. A total of 16 big girl, independent months. Couldn’t have done it without several people and their significant love and support. Thank you.

I’m rambling. My point is…. When did I become the person that ignored self care? It was all the rage and quite a hot topic in nursing school. I quickly learned that working nights was rough and not always the easiest life pattern, so I made a point of taking care of myself. Treating myself to the little things.

When did I stop buying myself the occasional bouquet? One of my favorite little pastimes is arranging flowers in a vase. I sure do kill house plants but man I love coming home and getting those floral beauts in their new home for the next several days.

When did I stop drinking my daily green smoothies? Pink smoothies? I really believe that health starts with what you put in your body. My nutribullet was my best friend. (Ahem, no, my yellow lab is always my best friend, no need for dramatics.) I enjoyed looking up new smoothie recipes and seeing what I liked and what I didn’t. It was a simple thing that I could do for myself, and that was awesome!

When did I become the person who needed to drag herself out to go for a walk? I used to go on more daily walks. Great exercise, meditation, time well spent in nature. Time well spent with my furbaby.

These are just small things – but small things that made me happy – that I found myself missing as I lay here in a deep state of reflection.

I don’t practice New Years resolutions but I will be making sure to keep myself in gear with these things and some other aspects of my day to day living to practice self care. I can’t take care of others if I am unable to do so for myself! Happiness comes from within, and it is so self-empowering and confidence boosting. I will strive for a more positive life routine.

My hair might be a little dry now. My eyelids are feeling heavy 🙂 goodnight, thanks for reading XOXO

Beautiful scene from a walk a couple days ago. Beautiful!