summing up 2014

1. What word do you think best summed up 2014? 

Tough. The whole year has been hard, from starting the year with Steve working away from home, to having him sitting around unemployed for a month, then having him work nights because it's better money; add in the precarious nature of our financial situation until recently, and most of 2014 was full of stress.

2. What did you do for the first time this year? 

Was a bridesmaid in a wedding. Hated it. And not because of the dressing up, or the travel; but because on this important day for my sister, I couldn't see her face, only the back of her head.

3. What is one thing that happened that will have lasting consequences? 

We entered a debt agreement. Losing the business and our truck meant that we were balancing on the edge of bankruptcy. The only way to stop the slide was to enter a debt agreement. It will have a big impact on us, not just for the next five years, but for the rest of our lives.

4. Was there anything you wish you’d done differently? Why? How? 

I actually wish we had done the debt agreement earlier. We would have had a bit less debt (because interest and penalty fees wouldn't have accrued), and been on an even keel for those other stressful moments (like unemployment)

5. Do you have a favourite moment from the year? What made it special? 

Sitting on the grass in Airlie Beach eating fish and chips. In that moment we just enjoyed a new experience. The kids were excited to be on the beach, and Steve and I were just able to enjoy it. And the fish and chips tasted just like they did 15 years ago, when I left Airlie Beach.

6. What lessons has 2014 taught you about yourself? About others? 

About me - I don't trust myself. Probably not the best lesson, but the only way to move forward is to acknowledge where the issue lies.

About others - put a group of women together, and there will always be bitching and cliques. There's just no way to avoid it.

7. How will the lessons from this past year change the way you approach the new year? 

Realising I don't trust myself helped shape my word for the year.

8. What do you most want to do in 2015? 

Have a family holiday without extended family, just the 6/7 of us.

9. What do you most want to change about yourself? The world? 

Procrastination. I'll just focus on my little piece of the world, and leave the whole world to someone else.

10. What one word do you hope will sum up what you hope to achieve in 2015? 

BRAVE

inspired by Maxabella Loves

getting it together

For years now, I've wallowed in disorganisation. I've just lived with it, because I really didn't know exactly how to sort my head out (although I've tried lots of different things)

Over the Christmas break, when I was really feeling frazzled from doing. nothing. and feeling like I was failing at it, I started to browse pinterest for filofax ideas. Seeing how other people keep their thoughts organised has been inspiring (and slightly scary), but I was still frozen in the looking, not doing stage.

Back in December, I saw this idea, and immediately transformed a book, but once January hit I was overwhelmed with stress and school holidays and noise and let it all creep up on me and didn't do anything.

If there's one thing I've learnt about myself it's that I'm not very good on follow-through!

Last weekend, I was browsing again, when I stumbled on this post. I watched the video, pinned the post, and left it at that. Then that night, I actually dreamed about the system! To me, that's an indication that it might work, if I'm dreaming about it!

So I pulled out one of my precious composition books. To me, they're the perfect size, lots of pages, but small enough to slip into my handbag (if I ever get to carry it again!) and I can make it mine by decorating the cover.

So far, I've written in the index, stamped numbers on the pages, and written up the calendar (and included a grid calendar, too, like the author of the post) I'm giving myself February to see if it works, I'll look at it every morning, and write lists every night, and maybe by the end of the month the habit will stick!

How do you keep organised?

Linking up with Me and My Ready-Made Family for Sort Your Life Out

one little word™ | focus

It's been a struggle to find my word this year.

For a while there, I thought I would be spending 2014 with GRACE, but the more I thought about it, the further that seemed from the right word.

I looked at HONOUR, and RESPECT, but the more I thought about it, the more I realised that I needed FOCUS in my days.

I started scouring pinterest for interesting quotes. And I signed up for Ali Edwards workshop, too (I confess, I signed up for the workshop before I found my word.)

And now that I've claimed FOCUS as my word, my head feels clearer, ready to journey into 2014 and see what the year holds.

Have you chosen a word for 2014?

{you can see past words linked through this post}

{linked up with Maxabella Loves}