This is question #13 of the Year End Countdown Challenge held in Dec 2012, where we count down to the new year with 13 reflective questions. The challenge is now over but you can do the tasks in your own time. Visit the overview page for all the challenge tasks.
Welcome, welcome, and welcome to the 2013 Countdown Challenge! I’m Celes and I’m your host for this challenge. Thank you for reading this and being on board with me! :D140 180 official participants (and counting). So why can’t you join us in this wonderful end-of-year reflection and 2013 countdown?I look forward to seeing you sign up. :D Again, sign up here:
https://personalexcellence.co/blog/2013countdown-challenge/#signup

Have You Signed Up Yet?
Just because you are reading this or receiving this email does NOT mean you are signed up for the challenge. You have to officially sign up by way of the three steps here: https://personalexcellence.co/blog/2013countdown-challenge/#signupWhy sign up? I know from past challenges that some “participants” do not sign up. Instead, they observe the challenge by the wayside, skim through the daily tasks (since they are on the newsletter), pick the ones they feel like reading, and jump in to post their comments when they feel like it.I can understand such behavior, but I don’t feel it’s good participation etiquette. I always feel if you want to do something, you commit yourself all the way. That’s what I do, and that is why I consistently get great results for what I do. If I do something, I commit myself 100%. If I decide not to do it, I will not do it. As simple as that.Wishy-washy, half-baked efforts will give you wishy-washy, half-baked results. Full commitment will get you to where you want to be. Pledge yourself for this 13-day countdown challenge and commit yourself to the 13 questions that are coming up. I’ve already committed myself to being in this challenge with you in the next 13 days, and so have over13 Days of Countdown, Starting Today! (Dec 19)
For the next 13 days, starting today (Dec 19), I will be posting one question a day pertaining the year of 2012 and how it has been for you. Your role is to reflect on this question each day and post your answers within the day itself.To mimic the countdown fashion, I will be posting each day’s question with a number. The first question will be numbered “13”. The second will be numbered “12”, and so on and so forth.. all the way till we reach “1” (Dec 31) and finally “0” (the final roundup day of the challenge).If you don’t know what I’m saying, no worries. Just reflect on and post your answers to the question I post each day. You’ll know what I’m saying soon enough! :DPlease Sign Up First Before You Proceed
Once again, please sign up at https://personalexcellence.co/blog/2013countdown-challenge/#signup before you proceed to the first question. Sign ups are 100% free. Signing up is something you do for yourself and also to the community as your pledge of commitment will spur others to commit themselves to this wonderful initiative too!2013 Countdown, Starting with Question #13…
The first question of the 2013 Countdown Challenge is:How has your year of 2012 been?

Your Task
- Reflect and answer today’s question. There’s no word limit – whether minimum or maximum. Write as few or as many words as you want. It’s all up to what you want to express!
- Share your answer. After you are done writing, copy and paste your answer in the comments area and post it there.
- Check out other participants’ answers. Other participants will be sharing their answers too, so feel free to read and reply to their answers. This is a community challenge, so let’s support each other in these 13 days leading up to the new year! :)
(Images: Field, Wheat field )
The whole,looking back from now,was a huge roller coaster ride!! There were plenty of downs in the beginning of the year..After completing my senior school,I had to decide my next course of study.There were peer pressures and had to go through them. There was a break-up with my friend,around the same period of time.I was disturbed quite emotionally,and longed for help. It was then I found you,Celes. Your site came as a blessing to me.I was so motivated and you were really inspiring and you still are,and will forever be!!! :) :heart: I began to understand so many things in life.I learnt to seek peace in every thing I do. I made up my mind such that my actions be at peace only.There were great changes from then.Change for the best! :)
I entered into a good institute after clearing an entrance exam. The institute is lovely and It suits me very much. Reading your articles and bringing them into my everyday life became a habit. I began to spread this site and about you to all my friends,new colleagues.They all expressed gratitude for sharing with them the wonderful site!!! I am really feeling blessed to having known such a wonderful woman!!! Thank you sooooooooooooo much!!!!!!!!! Owe a lottttt to you!!!!! :bow: There’s been a plenty change in me. My thought process has changed and I’m finding peace at the smaller things. All this makes me feel that I’m growing every single day. It really makes my day,Celes.I am so thankful to you!! :hug: You have filled in me a huge amount of positive spirit. :)
About my friend [the person mentioned earlier…we had split for a not-a-good reason -.- ]..Ha, She’s another great woman I’ve met in life! :) We are good friends now.We made up some ground rules!! :D and things are really going good!! :) My first semester in the University is over and I’m enjoying my holidays here,spending time with family,friends,and looking into some interesting stuffs and getting to learn them as and when feasible.
The bucket list was an interesting thing for me.I found many of them being possible at my university itself. :dance: I’m happy about it. I’ll try to make the best of them!! Finally the year was in all balanced! :mrgreen:
The year of 2012 is the year I have learnt to be grateful for the little things in life. I lost a family member who I was very close to and could never imagine getting through and being truly happy again, but I did and it showed me how much strength I really have within myself. Through this my appreciation and importance for my family has grown. My journey in faith has also grown stronger and I feel so blessed for everything I have in my life and how lucky I really am. However I also feel that the past year I have aimlessly gone through life by putting in the least effort and so I want to be more proactive in 2013.
The whole,looking back from now,was a huge roller coaster ride!! There were plenty of downs in the beginning of the year..After completing my senior school,I had to decide my next course of study.There were peer pressures and had to go through them. There was a break-up with my friend,around the same period of time.I was disturbed quite emotionally,and longed for help. It was then I found you,Celes. Your site came as a blessing to me.I was so motivated and you were really inspiring and you still are,and will forever be!!! :) :heart: I began to understand so many things in life.I learnt to seek peace in every thing I do. I made up my mind such that my actions be at peace only.There were great changes from then.Change for the best! :)
I entered into a good institute after clearing an entrance exam. The institute is lovely and It suits me very much. Reading your articles and bringing them into my everyday life became a habit. I began to spread this site and about you to all my friends,new colleagues.They all expressed gratitude for sharing with them the wonderful site!!! I am really feeling blessed to having known such a wonderful woman!!! Thank you sooooooooooooo much!!!!!!!!! Owe a lottttt to you!!!!! :bow: There’s been a plenty change in me. My thought process has changed and I’m finding peace at the smaller things. All this makes me feel that I’m growing every single day. It relaly makes my day,Celes.I
About my friend(We lately split for a silly reason :mrgreen: ), She’s another great woman! :) We are good friends now.We made up some ground rules, :D and things are really good.
My life this year has been about downsizing. We made a committment to no new purchases, only replacements. Something must go to get something different. Then we moved on to a reduction phase. We didn’t really need two cars so, “Goodbye Plymouth”. Goodbye to the massage bed as well. Files over 10 years old, “Goodbye”. Goodbye to Windows and multiple backups. Goodbye to clothes I haven’t worn in two years. Only new underwear and socks. For anything else in clothing, check goodwill or local church thrift shops. It has been a good year. we reduced our spending by 65 %. And committed that money to long term savings .
2012 was very positive especially on the career front. Made a great job change – taking a risk as it was contract. My contract has been extended for 2013 so the risk has paid off.
First time in years both hubby and I had steady jobs, kids doing well, everyone healthy. Yahoo!
I think 2012 made me grow up again. I feel much better. I achieved a lot on the personnal and professional fields.
I managed to write a book, and for this I’m really, really proud of me ! It was a great mountain to climb upon. A few years ago I would never have been able to do that.
For this reason I feel much more secure on my own professionnal value. My book is not perfect but who is?
I kept my composure when welcoming friends with their kids to my house for a long summer week-end.These days have been great and fun.
I realized that I was so happy to have back my friend :heart: who had been living abroad for 10 years.
But I also want to thank you Celes and also thank the path that lead me to your website. Reading and following you is such a wonderful moment. It’s like opening a window and feeling the fresh breeze on my face. :bow:
If I had just one word to describe 2012 I’d say ‘Transformation’.
Although my whole life has always been geared towards changing/improving myself. The transformation has always been slow and always required me to keep pushing.
But 2012 was phenomenal. I joined PE on New Year’s Eve (31 Dec 2011). That’s when I got a huge push from the Universe and PE was just the catalyst I needed.
I finally truly understood my personal power over my life (as opposed to theoretically understanding). I got a taste of my ideal life that so far was only in my imagination. Even though it was just for a short span of 3-4 months I had found new hope. That’s why, when I was going through one of those downhill periods, I had something to hold on to. Because this time I knew that I was capable of living the life I wanted, so I had the drive to try and try and try and try until I got it right.
Just a few days back when I got back to PE, a lot of things clicked for me. I’m on a roll again.
Its an absolutely great way to end the year!!!
The year of 2012 has been depressing because I have suffered my first relationship break-up and I’m even more lost with my life (no career, no motivation, no passion, no inspiration). I feel that I have been more alone because my girlfriend of 2 years left me and my closest friends started getting jobs so we rarely hang out anymore. It has not been a good year for me.
Damn, that’s a lot at once to take in :(
Isn’t there anything that inspires you? Break-ups are easier to deal with if you find something meaningful to do. Even starting from small things helps (cooking, exercise, trying something new).
Hold on and know the PE community is always a supportive place to be when things look grim :hug:
I think there is something that inspires me but I’m having fear of failures or rejections. I’ll follow your advice and start first from small things so I will not be overwhelmed. Thanks for the reply. Hoping that 2013 will be much better. :)
2012 ?
Some good, some bad I guess more good than bad.
Family
I just celebrated my 15th anniversary with my wife. Yes I am married for 15 years with 2 boys at 13 and 11 years. I still loved the woman I married 15 years ago a lot. Though the occasional bickering is still there, I guess we have already get use to the bad habits of each other.
The kids are getting more sensible now, nothing major to worry about except their studies. The older boy finds it tough getting used to secondary school life. He was not doing well in his study initially. Luckily, he was able catch up with lots of help from my Mrs. He is still sitting on the borderline though. Hopefully, he can find the key to study independently next year with minimum help. We are also partially to be blamed. Spoon fed him too much when he was in primary school.
The young one is still happy go lucky type. (Actually I am not sure if this is good or bad for him). We really don’t know how to motivate him to be more competitive. From some psychology book I read, he is a perfectionist, if he know that he cannot deliver the best outcome when he do things, he will just give up and go through motion.
Health
Health is not so good with weight, blood pressure and cholesterol problems still need to be addressed. Physically I am getting weaker year by year. I am not able to do sports the way I used to do, really miss those super active days. Well, it’s part of the growing old process. Hopefully can keep everything in check, and not be a burden to my wife and 2 boys when I grow old.
Social Work
I have done quit some volunteer work this year. Really feels good about it at the end of the day, when I see the fruits of my work, especially when I see those poor children smiling innocently. Made lots of great friends along the way. I hope to have time to do more next year as an individually and as a family.
Finance
Financially, we are still doing Okay. We were able to save quite a big sum of money, waiting for the right time to invest in properties. At this moment, I am also working on my business venture, hopefully it can bare fruits by next year when I am doing my reflection. This will be my alternate source of income. I need this badly as I am working in a sunset industry; I am not sure how many years of work do I have left with the company. Hopefully I am financially free by the time I become obsolete in my industry.
Thanks to everyone.
CS
My hubz and I decided every year to adopt a motto since we kind of suck at keeping resolutions. This year, 2012, was supposed to be “The Year of Everything New!” I won’t say we’ve been off the mark, but it certainly didn’t go the way we expected or planned!
In January I stopped working outside the home, which barely impacted our income since I spent most of what I earned on gas to get back-n-forth, along with other work-related expenses. So staying home, after several years of working at a job I truly enjoyed, was a treat that required a huge mental adaptation. One thing we didn’t foresee was our second car ka-sploding, so not only am I home all day, but now I’m being held captive. As a self-professed hermit, I’m not complaining overly much. I only miss being able to drive places during the day because I specifically know I CAN’T — kind of like when you are devoid of itches until you stick your hands in the sink to do dishes, and suddenly, now that your hands are wet, your noses itches all over, and of course it’s impossible to scratch without getting water everywhere, so you try to rub your nose against your sleeve but that never works. So I only want a second vehicle because my nose itches. Or something.
Something else new this year involved the building of our bloggy-blog and my decision to dedicate time toward writing my novel. Both endeavors have proven to be both rich in benefits as well as fraught with frustration. On the one hand, the blog has provided an outlet for my anger and depression issues, and has brought my hubz and me closer as we work on this project together. And adding to my painfully slow-going novel has lent me wings I didn’t even know I was missing. But they take up time, and they make it difficult to prioritize when it comes to household chores.
Ah, the house. That’s a whole separate can of worms. We thought we were moving, and then we weren’t, and then we were again, but now we’re not. Hopefully. Kind of hopefully. Not totally hopefully. We were looking forward to starting over afresh and getting rid of a lot of our collective crap. Now it’ll be that much more difficult. And our house will no longer be in our name, whether we stay or not, because someone else is taking over the mortgage. It’s all a bit hazy from here.
With regards to nuclear family, our year has been most excellent. Watching our son grow into an adult has been an amazing experience, and our small daughter adds daily to our joy. Our marriage has sealed itself into an ultra-tight bond. As for extended family, bridges have been built and crossed, amends have been made, and that which was torn asunder has been woven back together. That definitely qualifies as “Everything New”. Usually it feels as though things are falling apart. This past year, through financial hardship and all that comes with it, it feels as though everything came together. I would say then, overall, 2012 hasn’t been half-bad. If 2013 comes anywhere close to the highs I experienced this past year, I will think myself quite lucky.
Hmm….well, the year 2012 was just like any other year….I fell down, got up, and fell down again, and got up again…the journey continues. Had made 4 resolutions for 2012 – to eat healthy (going strong on it), to quit smoking (almost there….have a cig very rarely now), to meditate daily even if it is for 5 min (crash n burn), and to exercise daily (its not daily, but i finally managed to accomplish my dream of a 1-hand pushup and 5 chin-ups, so yay for that).
A huge huge positive this year – managed to get out of stuffy corporate and join an NGO. Turned out to be the best decision ever of my life. I now teach in a low-income govt school and my days r full of laughter nd smiles
Another huge huge positive – Met my awesome girlfriend Nisha (she has also joined this countdown challenge. See page 2 for her comments. Don’t kill me darling :P) who is everything and more for me.
Negatives – Not much really. Am trying to take things in my stride as they come. Life couldn’t be better :) A little time management would go a long way though :P
It is a significant day to count down from Dec 19 because I am one year older. The theme of Year 2012 for me is ‘Rebuilding’.
Things I am grateful for: My children were there when I most needed them. Angels in my life – friends, accountability partner, building my mind muscle. Taking self responsibility and courage to move on from a divorce to self-empowerment no matter what it takes. As a result, I became a contributor and is useful to society and to my family.
My biggest win is I got the key to my own flat!
The biggest lesson I learned in 2012 is ‘Trust and be vulnerable and vulnerability is strength.”
Looking back, would I change anything? ‘No.”
Three main people in my life that has impact 2012 are my ex-spouse and elder sisters, there are many.
I added tools for a better life by continuous learning.
:D
I like your theme. That might have to be my theme for 2013. Hoping 2013 brings you much joy!
Dimitria
Hi Dimitria, thank you for your encouragement. I have much clarity in my life direction and I wish you success, joy and love for 2013! :heart:
the whole year 2012 was challanging for me & my family. January began with death of my uncle, & in March i lost my another uncle & my father too. in june my mother migrated to other country. in august my brother sold my parents house & shifted to other city. our perminent house was on more it was very emotional drawbeck for us.in september i sold my own big house & took a small flat on rent. i hope 2013 will be better year for me & my family too in every aspect of life ..inshaallah.
I’m so sorry for all your hardships. Some years are worse than others, that’s for sure, & it sounds like you certainly had one of the “down” years in the roller coaster ride of life. Let us hope together that 2013 treats us well and lends kindness & helping hands. Here’s a hug for you to hang on to during this countdown: ((( *hugs* )))
Thank you so much Andi-Roo. your comment has very encouraged to me.
It has been quite an odd year. With college not going quite as well as hoped but it has been mainly positive. Got a job in a hotel with the most amazing people and met my now boyfriend there :) I turned twenty one this year too and over summer I travelled across America and canoed the Great Glen Way in Scotland. I held a surprise party for my friend and helped organise a college ball and made some awsome cake! Overall it has been a good year! Not everything has gone to plan but I prefer to look to the positives. I really cannot complain! Bring on 2013!
I think I would describe 2012 as a seminal year in my life, which is why I am keen to reflect on it with writing to encourage myself not to take for granted or forget all the amazing changes that have happened in me. This year I seem to have returned partly to a state of mind of my younger self and recaptured some of that enthusiasm and excitement about the future. At the same time I have also grown up more and let go of many of the things that were holding me back. I have given myself permission to explore anything and everything without mental restriction or judgement (as far as I can, I can still be pretty uptight and conservative at times, a work in progress lol). This includes engaging with the world on the many and varied topics that take my interest including the PE blog right here. Connecting with other people who share my goals and interests has increased my interest in my spiritual side, which has been suffering for many years due to rejecting my Christian upbringing. I think we all need to connect in with what is intuitive and spiritual and good in us and a great way to do this is to strive to be our best selves and support others in their quest to do the same. Thank you Celeste for your work, what you do is important stuff! I can’t wait to see what is going to happen in 2013
Hi Everyone
2012 was good for me with couple of proud achievements. Overall this was the year where I started believing that physical changes can only result by first changing my thought process and beliefs. Several of Celes articles were real eye openers.
Career – Earlier my entire world revolved around my profession. My very existence was controlled by my accomplishments at work. A single bad day would push me to depression with usual process of me degrading myself. This year I was able to get out of that loop. Now have a wonderful life outside of work. In short my purpose of life is redefined.
Health – major achievements again, with a continuous stint at gym for 8 straight months, my longest ever. The results were amazing. Had to stop by Sep though, due to some reasons, but am sure to have this as a target for 2013 and this time I would know how to stick to the target and what results I can expect. Rich with previous experience now.
Trips – went on 1 month vacation trip to US for first time. That was a treat I gave to myself in 12 years of my work life. It all comes under the umbrella of lacking self respect and inflicting pain upon self. Thanks again to Celes articles, a lot has changed now.
I’ll remember 2012 as a year when I achieved a signifcant shift in my thought patterns and mental wiring. Thats still a very small percentage of what i’ve yet to achieve and targeted for 2013. my wiring is seriously screwed you know, requires a lot of rewiring.. Optimistic though, will see :)
Thanks for reading…
It was good year for me because i started markting with my friend . . To improve my marketing skell i start reading lifehack where i found some helful articals of celes’ i join PE to read other articals too . I have a dairy where i write selected artical from PE and wording of people with whom i met . . I try to act on them . . I also did NLP classes to improve my lifestyle . I start working on bucket list and dream list . I was perfectionist and procrastinate but now i am not . . I am proactive and helpful now
I am thankful for being able to fly to iceland and see the northern lights. I was singing with my friends, riding my motorbike in the Alpes and in the Eifel (and made my Eifel-diploma). I have tanken care of my health, going to rolfing and jogging. I went back to school and began to study. I made my bureau a nice and warm place and changed my feeling for my job. I like it, i like my colleagues, my customers, the flexibility and to help other people. And most of all I strenghtened my relationship to my boyfriend Christian. Me move toghether tomorrow in the little flat we bought and renewed.
This year I took care of myself and learned a lot about my blind spots and my reactions of other people. I learned to listen to my feelings, although I do not alwasy feel comfortable with it.
I accepted myself as a strong woman without children. It doesn´t matter if they will come in future or not. I life my life to the fullest right now and enjoy the freedom and flexibility iI have right now.
I do not strenghten my friendship to my near friends. I found many new colleagues, but no real friends. I enjoy having some time with my friends, with my family and my boyfriend. Beside this, I enjoyed being on my own or spending time with new people in my life.
I am proud to had the courage to buy a little flat. It was a gut feeling and I am happy to move in there tomorrow. I did all the things I wanted to this year and so, I do not feel sorry for anything possibly missed.
I am the creator of my life! There are no sacrifices in the universe.
My fears this year were the same as in the years before. I want to become prengang and raise children. I am 39 years old now and time is ticking. But i learned to enjoy the time without children.
I learned to follow the vioce of my heart this year. It is not perfect, but for me, it is wonderful. Sometimes i feel a little bit anxious because I dont know what to do with this vioce, but I´m still learning :)
I’m glad someone else gained personal strength this year. I neglected to mention that in my own post regarding 2012, and your notes here reminded me this is yet another thing of which to be pleased & proud. Good for you! Learning to trust yourself is never easy, though it’s one of the best gifts. May the coming year bless us both with continued growth & independence! *cheers*
God has blessed me so much this year. Below are my 2012 highlights.
January – Got promoted at work.
February – Had a vacation in Boracay Island (a famous tourist spot in Philippines). My US L1 visa was approved.
March – Celebrated my birthday (the best blessing I get every year!) and received a big amount of bonus from our company.
April – Had a vacation in Baguio (another famous tourist spot in Philippines).
May – Passed part 3 of the Certified Internal Auditor examination.
June – Travelled to US for the first time and visited the Liberty Island and Ellis Island!
July – Explored NYC: Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Madame Tussauds, etc.
August – Watched The Lion King in Broadway (my first time to watch a Broadway Musical). Visited the famous places in Philadelphia, Penssylvania
September – Had a tour in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Watched the Phantom of the Opera in Broadway.
October – Survived hurricane Sandy!
November – Survived snow storm Athena! Went back home and was reunited with my family.
December – Received my CIA certificate (I am now a Certified Internal Auditor!).
It’s been a great year for me. I believe that 2013 will be greater! The best is yet to come!
Cheers and more power to Personal Excellence!!!
Zowie! Your year was quite better than mine, & I wasn’t complaining as my 2012 wasn’t overly bad. Is it all right to admit I’m a bit jealous? Here’s hoping your good fortune continues into 2013… & that maybe some of it rubs off onto the rest of us! lolz
How was your year of 2012?
In part highly successful, in others not so much. Ups and downs as usual I guess :)
My final exam at my graphics design studies was a huge success, I was even invited to two agengies for a job interview with no extra work on my part, however neither ended up taking me, probably due to the fact that I’ve started a new part-time training course (Feldenkrais), which normal days off from work wouldn’t cover.
I’ve made my life a lot more complicated due to this course, but it’s a big dream come true and I’m so glad to be doing it at last :) The first two blocks have been awesome and I’m looking forward to the next one. This has been a big dream for several years, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.
My first big client web project went live while I was still studying and a second has gone up since. The first even paid for a whole semester of school and gave me loads of experience and confidence in my skills.
I got some other small jobs, from my old grammar school, from a local youth club, from people in my Feldenkrais training course. I’ve enjoyed the projects very much and earned a fair amount of money from them, all without any advertising on my part so far.
I’m currently working on setting up my own graphics design business. A big step at my age, and with little experience, but I’m confident I can do it. I’m not sure this is my dream job to stick to for life, but it’s important to me to do my own thing and not get bogged down in some standard job. It’s an important step along the way, it’s creative work, which I really enjoy, and I get to be my own boss, which is probably a curse as well as a blessing, but I feel it’s the right thing for me.
I’m currently going against all the „sensible opinions“ around me, but it feels right to me, and I’m sticking to my guns of doing „what I want, not what everyone else wants for me“ since my studies.
I had a lovely holiday in Italy with my family and boyfriend and it was just a really awesome experience.
Our relationship continues to be an absolute dream and we’re planning to move in together when finances are right. He has a new job that he loves and I’m really happy for him.
I want to get out of my parents home (not that I don’t like it there, but it feels like the time is right), get my business going and get financially independant. Stand on my own two feet at last. Start a life together with the man of my dreams. :)
Stuff I’m very dissatisfied with this year is exercise and health… I’ve been ill way too often and been excercising way too little. I’ve had a lot of trouble with my knee, so I haven’t been able to jog, and I haven’t been going to my martial arts classes because they’re too far away and not up to the intensity I need to keep me interested… :( I’ve quit the club now and am hoping to find a new one at the beginning of next year… good trainers are so hard to find. My skills in that area are dropping and that combined with the lack of excercise is making me frustrated and miserable. I’ve also been sick quite a lot for extended periods of time. Not badly, but long drawn out, which is annoying.
I’ve socialised less this year than I’d have liked (although not entirely my own fault, my friends are being fiendishly hard to get hold of at the moment), although I have managed to get together with some old friends from way back when, which has been lovely :) Want to improve on that.
I’ve drawn and created way less this year than I would have liked too. I really must try and fix creativity more permanently in my life next year. It’s an integral part of myself and I’m unhappy when I don’t do it, yet I also avoid doing it like the plague sometimes because of exaggerated perfectionism and fear of failing.
That said, I want to embrace failure and mistakes next year, and in starting my business I’m going out with the willingness to fall flat on my face if must be. But I feel I’ve gotten through life too easy by sticking to the safe route, but nothing scares me more than that „safe“, but deeply unfulfilled life. So here’s to failure. May it be a good teacher.
I’ve bought way too many books and spent way too much time getting aimlessly lost in the vastness of the internet for my liking, and it kills my creativity. Next year I want to browse less, read less, and do more, create more. Raise the creative output, limit the overwhelming input. There’s so much I do that isn’t vital for the bigger plan, and it cripples my progress and drains my brain.
Apart from the few negative points I’d overall consider the year quite a success, though I’m a bit slower than I’d like in following my dreams. Then again, slow and steady wins the race.
I’ve had quite a few more moments this year where I’ve felt contented with my life and the way things are going and moments where I’ve really become aware of the fact that „I’m happy“. Feels good.
There’s still disappointment and frustration and stagnation aplenty, but overall, I’m making progress and I think I’m on the right track. :) Overall the year was good and I’m hoping the next one will be even better.
2012 has been a challenging year, filled with highs and lows. I’ve learned a lot, and I’m grateful for everything I’ve experienced. January started amazing, with summer holiday in New Zealand. I went camping on the beach, I was out with friends and family every day and had a lot of fun. When school started again the following month I still had a great time catching up with people and doing my best in every subject. In March a good friend of me left to go back to Japan, and even though I had a good time still, I missed her a lot. In April I felt things got a bit out of hand, and I felt torn between my life in NZ and the thought of soon coming home to Norway (I studied in Wellington 2011/2012). I left in May, with a strange feeling of not knowing where home was. It was amazing coming back home to see old friends and family, but I had a long summer in front of me, and most of the time I felt really lonely. I missed the fast pace of the city, coming home to a small village. I missed my friends, realizing that while I was away, a lot has changed since I was here last. Yet everything was the same. I was somehow disappointed that I had fallen into the same routine as I had over a year ago. But I kept on discovering what was right for me, and soon things seemed to fall into place. I started school again in August, with subjects that interested me and people I had longed to connect with. I started writing again (creative writing is a passion of mine), I finally learned to drive a car and I made some exciting plans for the future. Now I feel more content than ever, because I know where I am now will only take me further, towards my biggest dreams.
Looking forward to hear how everyone’s 2012 has been :)
Hmmm… I just typed it all out in my personal blog yesterday. Coincidence. To sum it all up, basically, I thought a lot this year. From not knowing what I actually did in the past 12 months, I got an answer to what I did. It wasn’t all that hectic, I suppose I had my own share of fun, sadness and any other feeling. There’s many memories to keep this year and lessons to take away. I wouldn’t expect much more, as even after 18 years of my life, I believe I had the happiest birthday ever, even without celebration, gifts, cakes. I was happy as every birthday, I wouldn’t see much harmony between humans, but this year, I did. It was more than enough for me.
Learnt to be more appreciative as well.
Looking forward to a better 2013. :)
I started 2012 with big plans of change and prosperity for me as well as my business, but destiny had something else planned for me. I had to move to a different city, and nothing went according to my plan.
First few months went in packing, unpacking, and adjusting to the new place. Then I got busy attending various events and tours. I couldn’t take out enough time for myself and my business, but I did better in relationships & social life.
Overall, 2012 has been a good year for me. I am looking forward to 2013, hoping to live it better. :D
This year started out pretty well…I thought. In December, I had reconnected with someone who had been a friend since childhood (over 30 years) and we were in love. I spent every weekend with him, and he was wonderful to me. His teenaged daughter was another story. She did everything she could to get rid of me and, with the help of someone I believed to be my friend, succeeded in September. He walked away, citing an inability to deal with the drama his daughter continuously caused. He loves me and I love him, but he is a father first, so my heart was broken.
Other highligjts of my year include a several-months long drinking binge, an inability to find a job, another year of keeping my children in poverty, and struggles with health issues.
My youngest son (I have 4 kids: 2 sons ages 21 and 22, a 15 year old son, and a 10 year old daughter) moved in with his father last month. That was my last straw. My daughter and I aee moving to the town I grew up in and making a fresh start.
We leave on the night of December 25.
You could say that it has been a key year, despite the fact that the majority of it was ’empty’.
Because of my depression and social anxiety years ago, it had become a habit to lock myself in my house a lot. Towards the end of this year, with the help of a much older and ambitious friend, I was able to move past that habit and make the beginnings of a better life. My friend was hard-handed, but it worked.
I’ve dated two guys, I’ve started working out and eating healthy, I’m starting a study in January, I’m convinced that
I will soon have a job, and I’m becoming more confident every day. My life is still far from my vision of it, but considering my past, it can only get better and better.
I don’t know where I’d be without that friend, but I know that he’s a true friend, a mentor sent from above, and a keeper. :heart:
Hi Celes,
Year 2012 has been very eventful for me. I became a single handed GP partner with lots of responsibilities from 1 jan 2012. I have a wife and a 10 yr old daughter and 2 yr son. They keep me busy. I try to do my level best for my patients. Also try to keep staff and my personal family at home happy. I am also a workaholic and do out of hours as well.
I successfully completed cardiology diploma and certificate in drug and alcohol abuse this year with support from family. It is bit stressful being single handed dr, living in UK ( originally from India ) with almost no family backup from other family members in India.
I wish to do USG PG diploma, but there is not much support from family or hops; perhaps I am not being realistic.There are many other challenges as well but I am coping for now.
I have not thought much about 2013 but the core values will remain same.
I lost 18 kgs in 6 mths time from 87 kgs to 69 kgs in 6 mths time ( this is my ideal wt ) by eating healthy diet and doing exercise ( zumba dance ). I am motivated to keep it the same.
Yes, I have achieved a lot but my hunger for achieving more is still there.
Well 2012 has had its highs as well as lows, I discovered a lot about myself in a deeper and better way , got confused many a times before taking a decision and came to the conclusion that whatever does happen, happens for good.
Positive Aspects – finally mustered the courage to get out of a horrible relationship , Graduated with good marks , started teaching 2nd grade kids part time at a government school , came to know that I’m definitely not happy in what I’m currently pursuing and on the search of alternative options which I can use to get out , Met the most perfect guy and got into a relationship that has truly given me immeasurable happiness… :heart: :D
Negative Aspects – Felt really lonely in the beginning of the year since I lost both my best friend n bf after I got out of the previous relationship , couldnt figure out what Im doing with my life since Im not satisfied with whatever Im working on currently and felt both depressed as well as confused, working at a place where my immediate boss is a pervert and have to put up with it on a daily basis :(
Hopefully 2013 will turn out to be a better year since I’m going to listen more to my heart than my head and looking out for alternatives to get out of my current job , will put in efforts to continue my present relationship the way it is going , stop listening to naysayers , learn to control my ego and temper and not get affected by petty things , have a revision in my plans and goals and do things that keep me happy!! :)
2012 started off with spending some time with my father whom I have not seen nor talked to for months, food tasting and sightseeing in his home country – Taiwan.
2012 was the year I feel madly in love with the man I believed wholeheartedly that I would marry one day, and I’m not the type do plan ahead with partners – at all, so imagine my shock and surprise! It was the year I have been the happiest in my life – I finally found a sense of freedom, of inner peace and of happiness with someone. However, it has also been my most difficult.
There have been countless nights I’ve cried myself to sleep. Towards the end, it ended in heartbreak and slight financial scares as I’ve moved out and am still studying at University.
2012 has also been the year I’ve reaffirmed that inner strength I relied on since grade school. Heartbreak, financial difficulties, family stresses and my own illness aside, it has been a great learning curve for me. I’ve learned that bad endings are often great beginnings in disguise. And I can say I’m a much better person now in December than I was in January. Thanks to that someone who changed and impacted on me so much, thanks to the circumstances I found myself in, thanks to all the mistakes and the wrong turns.
Now as we are wrapping the year up, I’ve started to open myself to someone else and let myself slowly, but surely, fall in love again. I’ve regained my confidence and my place in my career – and in fact, probably better now than before.
So, as I say to myself whenever something bad comes ambling (or crashing) by; it leads to something better, you’ll see. 2012, for me, has been one of those years. :) :)
Kyoko, Sounds like you are a strong person, picking up the pieces and moving on so positively. Great job :clap:
Thanks Dolly – I actually ran into a quote by Walt Disney yesterday which I adore:
“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”
Love it! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Thanks Kyoko for the powerful quote, I totally agree with you after having gone through challenges in my life.
Lets keep moving forward! :clap:
Cheers!
2012 was a long process of change, recovery, and new directions.
I :cry: alot.
I had a couple of :clap: moments.
I was very blessed to have lots of :hug: when I needed them.
I definitely spent more than my share of time feeling :rolleyes: .
Of course, I got :angry: along the way.
Although I strived to be :angel:, I can’t help but feel :twisted:.
But it’s all part of the growth process :shy:
Overall, it’s been a huge year of transformation, endings, and new beginnings. ;)
Lovely post..:) I like your post with smilyes.. Short,cripsy and simple :)
Yes Vasundhara, I second that Anna did a good job, putting point forms and smilyes. :clap:
This was a good year. Not everything went smooth but there were more ups than downs. I think I have overcome a lot of the inner blocks and self defeating tendencies that held me back in previous years. I’ve overcome low self esteem and beliefs that held me back from financial success in life.
I’ve been working on my blog on and off this year. After a period of not being sure if this is what I want to pursue I am now fully committed ot making this a success and pursuing a new career I am passionate about.
I have also learned to let go of the belief that I need other people to be happy before I can be happy. That’s not to mean I don’t care about others. I’m just not going to consciously try to change family members who don’t want to be changed.
My weight has been all over the place. This year. I lost some weight in the spring but gained it all back and then some. I’m actually at my heaviest weight ever now. I’m currently working through emotional blocks that have kept me living an unhealthy lifestyle.
“let go of the belief that I need other people to be happy before I can be happy”
That’s something I learned from the year as well. I often expect too much of people instead of letting them grow at their own pace. Everyone is free to live their own life, even if they choose to make the harmful choices – that’ll be a lesson they still need to learn :)
Hey Jade
I have recently discovered a new exercise that you may find useful. It was called clearing off your mental desk. First you take a pent and piece of paper and you write down all the things you think about on a regular basis. Every goal, worry, fear, memory etc. Then you go through the list and recognize the things you do not have control over. You cross them off and consciously choose to just let those things go. I found it very powerful.
Nice! I like that idea :D The only problem I could see is when you cross off things that you actually *do* have control over, just to shift the responsibility. But then again, if it *was* really under your control, then someone would have told you what to do or you would have figured it out by now!
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