The New Roaring 20s
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The New Roaring 20s
I have been contemplating the past year and the positive changes that I’ve experienced in my life. This week the amazing Marie Forleo put out timely videos on The Decade in Review 2010s. In video 1, she asked us to document our accomplishments, what we’re most proud of, lessons we’ve learned, and limiting beliefs we’ve overcome. In video 2, she then challenged us to decide what resentments and limiting beliefs we will not carry forward. Finally, what are our hopes and dreams for 2020 and the next decade? I recommend watching the videos and going through the exercises yourself.
I went through old pictures and journal entries to remember what happened in 2010-2019. I was surprised by how much had happened in the past ten years, but also emotionally overwhelmed by the wonderful memories. I felt like I was in an episode of that older show This is Your Life in which images of my life were flashing before my eyes. I was suddenly appreciative for every photo taken and documented.
What I am most proud of
I am grateful that I am living a life that has been focused on the things that are important to me: faith, family, friends, travel, and personal growth and development. It’s an enlightening exercise to reflect back on the past 10 years and see what I remember as the moments that matter most. All of my significant memories of the past decade were personal and experiential. I remember my daughters’ cross country and track meets, them graduating high school and starting college, and every trip we took as a family — even the mishaps that are now funny stories. I remember my nephew and niece being born. I also remember the times spent with friends in various locations across the country, and making our home a place to gather, break bread, and drink wine. I am also proud of living my faith and making the courageous choices that scared me at the time, but helped me grow.
You know what didn’t make the list in the highlight reel? I don’t remember work projects, trivial disappointments, or material purchases. And so, I’ve committed going into the next decade to letting go of other people’s agendas, eliminating limiting beliefs and fears that don’t serve me, and the urge to choose comfort over the unknown.
My commitments for 2020 and the next decade
Keep focusing on the important people in life - This means spending as much time as possible creating new memories with my immediate and extended family and friends. I want more impromptu gatherings with wine, cheese and great conversation, last-minute plans, and weekend get-aways to visit friends who live out of town.
Living a big, bold, passionate life - This means not playing it small, but dreaming big and going after big dreams. It means surrounding myself with individuals who challenge me and help me grow. It also means that when things get uncomfortable, to not make decisions based on fear or comfort, but instead keep the course towards the life that I want to be living.
Travel near, far and often - Travel has always been such an important part of our lives. Many lasting memories have been made on trips with family and friends. Traveling to new cities, being immersed in other cultures, or visiting family across the ocean is part of the fabric of who I am. I choose to make this a priority and continue investing in these experiences.
Taking care of my mind, body and spirit - We can’t choose the number of days we are alive, however, we can choose to take care of ourselves everyday so we can enjoy the days while we are here, and possibly extend them. I choose to be selfish with my morning routine of reading, journaling, gratitude, meditation and physical activity because that is what I need to be the best version of myself.
Being present and grateful - We’ve lived 3,650 days, 87,600 hours, or 5,256,000 minutes in the past decade. I can assure you my list of memories from the past decade did not have those kinds of numbers. Too often, I was not living in the present moment, not grateful for my everyday blessings, and too distracted with insignificant things that I don’t even remember now. This decade, I commit to being more mindful in the present moment, expressing gratitude daily for my blessings big and small, letting go of things that don’t matter, and living each day fully.
I hope each of you takes time to go through this exercise and plan for 2020 and the next decade.
I’d love to help you make the 2020s the best decade yet, and the new roaring 20s!