My happy place in 2014: Land’s End, Bailey Island, Maine
I have an admission to make as 2014 comes to an end. I’m not entirely sure how I was able to keep this blog up for the entire year. It’s been an incredible year with extreme highs and lows. I don’t think it’s too far-fetched to say that it has been the toughest and most exhilarating year of my life to date.
I put this blog on autopilot. I wasn’t good with responding to comments, and I’ve been terrible at visiting other people’s blogs. I’ve never overextended myself that way in the past, but I do try to make it a point to give back to the blogging community with thoughtful comments, reading and sharing the works of blogging friends all over the globe.
Priorities took over, and I made it work just the same. Because writing keeps me level-headed, even when I feel as if my brain is going in a million directions. In the most difficult times, the ones where my time and sanity were challenged, I published some of the most personal and powerful posts I’ve ever written. It was my therapy. And your responses, both publicly and privately, gave me a perspective and feeling of support I’ve never felt before. (I will be sharing some of those posts next week. I’m honestly not ready to go through them all yet.)
I loved 2014 for so many reasons. Reasons that may not make sense for many people. I’ve found that people expect you to be sad, lonely and broken after a divorce. This is just not the case for me. I’ve learned and experienced so many amazing things this year. I’ve gone on life-changing trips, shared an epic summer with my kids and realized a childhood dream.
I took 20 minutes and started writing the events, emotions and experiences of 2014. I came up with more than 100 bullet points in that time, some not appropriate to share here. With the help of a few good friends who have known my whole story and aren’t afraid to tell me like it is, I’ve pared it down to 70.
Partially inspired by this post, here are 70 things I’ve enjoyed or endured in 2014. Thank you for being a part of it.
- Faced reality
- Told my kids their father was moving out
- Answered really hard questions
- Signed a book deal
- Experienced a level of anger I did not know possible
- Noticed an absence of sadness
- Visited a developing country
- Regrouped
- Simplified
- Asked for help
- Screamed
- Calmed myself down
- Wrote haiku that I may never share with another person
- Documented
- Negotiated
- Stood my ground
- Faltered
- Got scared
- Took control
- Had coffee with The Other Woman
- Got myself on the high road
- Came close to falling
- Sold my house
- Moved
- Downsized
- Divorced
- Changed my name
- Got distracted
- Sent questionable messages to friends who didn’t judge
- Watched my youngest ride his first big roller coaster
- Watched my ex cry
- Walked my dog in the rain
- Snapped selfies with my kids
- Allowed myself to be vulnerable
- Took two inspiring trips to Washington DC
- Said “I love you” to more people and truly meant it
- Said no when it was too much
- Said yes to new adventure
- Was honest with myself
- Made deep connections
- Re-discovered friendships and found new amazing communities
- Noticed who was absent
- Survived a colossal public meltdown by my son that made me want to give up and cry in a corner
- Found solace at Land’s End
- Allowed my kids to be angry
- Cried
- Wrote my heart out
- Realized how good I have it
- Danced
- Winged it
- Let things fall through the cracks
- Didn’t worry about it
- Prioritized
- Shoveled a foot of snow and hauled a Christmas tree with my boys
- Forgave
- Misbehaved (without hurting anyone)
- Dated
- Embraced being single
- Was called beautiful, sexy, gorgeous, pretty and hot by men, women and a dude in a dress
- Found true love all around me
- Felt life so deeply that it brought me to tears (in a good way)
- Put myself first
- Was disappointed
- Was inspired
- Inspired others
- Found my abs again
- Became a better mother
- Understood what it means to be truly happy, brave, strong, grateful and loved
- Reclaimed my life
- Let go
How was your 2014?
Looks like 2014, had good and bad times, but the good seems to have won out (thankfully). And truly wishing you only the best to come now in 2015!! 😉
Janine Huldie recently posted..Merry Christmas from All of Us!!!
The good times definitely won out, Janine. Thanks for sticking by me and religiously visiting my blog, even when I couldn’t reciprocate. I truly appreciate it. Wishing you the best in 2015 as well!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: Wonderbag, the Slow Cooker with a Social Conscience
Oh, Jen, what a year! This list made me both smile and tear up. And #20 made my eyes go wide! I was amazed how through all of this you kept the blog going. When I moved it totally threw me for a loop and messed up my blogging for several weeks. You have been such an inspiration to me, and I am so so happy that we got to meet again in person. I hope to see you again in 2015, and am so excited to see what the year brings for you!
Bev recently posted..Sometimes your body is just screaming to slow down
#20 was quite the experience. Meeting up with you and Tamara (and all the kiddos!) was a highlight of our epic summer. I’m thinking we’ll definitely have to do that again in 2015!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Trimming the Tree
Loved your summary. What a year it has been for you. Amazing how the best and the worst can happen in the same year…. That’s how my year was too the best of the best and the scariest of the scariest. I’m ready to leave 2014 behind. Here’s to 2015!!!
Leah recently posted..Quote Wall and Quote of the Week
Here’s to 2015, Leah! I hope it’s much less eventful for you (at least the scary events).
anotherjennifer recently posted..Why I’m Not Sending Out Christmas Cards This Year
Love every one these 70 because they led you back to you and taught us all what it means to be brave.
CHEERS!!! HERE’S TO 2015…THE YEAR OF NEW BEGINNINGS, DREAMS LAUNCHED, AND THE AMAZING ENTRANCE INTO JENNIFER’S JOURNEY!!!
chris carter recently posted..Brings Forth A Gasping Glory Hallelujah
So thankful to have had you by my side (figuratively) throughout the year, Chris. Love you!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: Share Your Good Day
I am so happy you shared this with me because, being casual friends on FB who met once and talk periodically, I worried about you (like a good Jewish mother) but didn’t want to ask.
You inspire me in more ways than I can say publicly, but just know that you do. Thanks for writing this post. Wait till 2015! Whoa!!!
Cathy Chester recently posted..Why Can’t Grief Take A Holiday?
Aw, thanks Cathy! I’m so sorry I worried you! Do know that I love to hear from you. And you inspire me too!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Ice Ice Baby
Your 2014 was an epic year! And you know what, you’ve really made lemonade with lemons and you’ve inspired me! I really want to step up my writing in 2015 and I’m so glad to have met you, and stopped by here today. I love your list. Big things are in store for you! You’re awesome!
Cynthia recently posted..Graduation…And Ten Things of Thankful
You’re awesome too, Cynthia! I love how many inspiring friends I have. I can’t wait to see what comes from you in 2015.
anotherjennifer recently posted..The Long Night: The Harsh Truth About Sex Trafficking in the US
Such a touching list Jennifer, you are so inspiring, I so admire your strength, vulnerability and honesty! Number 59 is my favorite! : ) I’m looking forward to a great year with you & my other cherished social good blogger friends in 2015!
Elizabeth Atalay recently posted..Gifts That Give Back Guide 2014, Creating Change Through Economic Opportunity
I loved our time in DC at the AYA Summit, Elizabeth. We’ve got some world changing to do in 2015 for sure. #59 seems to be a favorite so far. 🙂
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: Q & A with Heifer International + The Most Important Gift Catalog in the World
i applaud you. bravo!
deb recently posted..On the Kinstantly blog: Deb’s tips for storing kids’ masterpieces
Thanks, Deb. 🙂
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: The Elf is Back
Your year sounds remarkably like mine! I am hoping for great things in 2015 and wish the same for you 🙂
Thanks, Steph. Here’s to a great 2015!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Put Your Money Where Your Mouth is on #GivingTuesday
It’s a very poetic and meaningful year in review. I’m happy to have known you for this entire year. It was the year we met! Which was inevitable.
Some of those.. are very big things. I think I’d love to do a post like this. Maybe I will!
Tamara recently posted..Scarlet Takes Manhattan.
Yes! The year we met. More than once! We had said it was our year too. I’d love to see a post like this from you, Tamara. #61 actually made me think of you when I wrote it. I have a feeling you know what I mean by that.
anotherjennifer recently posted..2014 in Review: A Journey Back to Me
I absolutely do.
Tamara recently posted..Scarlet Takes Manhattan.
Wow Jennifer what a brave post! You are an amazing inspiring woman and I’m so glad to be a part of your life! Keep writing! 🙂
Thank you, Nicole! I’m glad you are a part of my life too. Like I said to Elizabeth, we’ve got some world changing to do in 2015. Can’t wait to see what the year brings.
anotherjennifer recently posted..2014 in Review: A Journey Back to Me
1) When I tell you I love you, I really mean it too. 2) You are beautiful, hot, sexy, and gorgeous.
Your list is amazing and inspiring and in many ways, may mirror a list that I could have written of my own.
I am so grateful for our friendship. xo
Ilene recently posted..A Modern Family Romance Part Two
Right back at you, Ilene. Every word of what you wrote. Love you. You are gorgeous, hot, sexy. So grateful for our friendship. Our late night conversations meant a whole lot to me this year. xo
anotherjennifer recently posted..2014 in Review: A Journey Back to Me
Wow! It sounds like you crammed so many big things into 2014 and have come out stronger because of the challenges and change. Thanks for sharing your vulnerabilities. Wishing you a happy new year!
Kerry recently posted..Reflections as a First-Year Club Soccer Parent
Thank you, Kerry. It was a year of big things. Happy New Year to you!
anotherjennifer recently posted..2014 in Review: A Journey Back to Me
I followed the conversation about this post on Facebook, so I was happy to see it published. Thank you for sharing it with us. I have a feeling this will be my favorite year in review post of 2014!
Dana recently posted..Beyonce and Big Wheels
It’s been such a crazy year, I had to make sure I documented it. And if a few people can relate to it and be inspired by it, then that will make me even happier. Happy New Year, Dana!
anotherjennifer recently posted..2014 in Review: A Journey Back to Me
Great list -= tough year indeed, esp due to #2, that’s never easy. I never explained it to my son since he was so young but it affected him either way. I’m also very well aware of #5, very few people can get me there but when they do it’s intense. Jeez #20 – how did you do that? That takes great courage.. Hope 2015 turns out to be a list consistent of no #5’s and plenty of #64-70 🙂 Have a very merry Christmas Jennifer! Happy holidays to you and yours and take care! -Iva
AwesomelyOZ recently posted..GTFO: The Sentinelese & The Most Dangerous Place in the World
#20 was…interesting. And very empowering at the same time. Looking forward to more 64-70s in 2015. 🙂
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Winter Dreams
Loved to hear about your last year. Sounds like mostly great things. Hope this year is great for you.
Tess recently posted..Blueberry Lemon Sweet Rolls
Thanks, Tess!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Winter Dreams
Gosh Jenn,
I missed a lot since I’ve been gone didn’t I? I feel like a horrible blog friend that I haven’t been here to hold your virtual hand thru all of this.
So now that I’m back I’ll send you a big hug and send good wishes and positive thoughts your way for a great 2015.
Jen recently posted..Brushing the cobwebs off this blog..
Thank you, Jen! Happy to see you back. 🙂
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Winter Dreams