2015: Year in Review

A year in review. 2015…while it was a whirlwind of a year, I am absolutely ready for 2016 to begin. 2015 marked the beginning of my “adult” life (quotations because I’m never actually going to grow up) and it was not as expected.

I remember going into 2015 excited, thinking that it would be the best year yet, and while it was unbelievable in terms of travel and new experiences, it was also the most emotionally exhausting year of my entire life (yes, I know I’m only 23).

No one prepares you for that first year post-grad. And, since I didn’t go onto grad school like many of my friends, I felt lost and abruptly thrown into this new place. If I could give advice – it would be to give yourself time; weeks, even months. I walked across that stage on a Saturday, finished my exams on a Monday-Wednesday, and was working full time that Thursday. It was MISERABLE.

After spending 22 years of working towards the next visible goal – graduating middle school, graduating high school, graduating college, I suddenly found myself without any short term goal. The scariest part for me with working is the fact that there is no end in sight. Yes, I understand that I can switch jobs whenever and do not have to stay at one company, but there is no track to follow.

I’ll admit that I was pretty unhappy from January – March, and it showed both physically and emotionally. I was working out less, more exhausted, gained a few pounds, and had no drive. I knew something needed to happen. Luckily, I have wonderful friends, and they helped me get back on track. We began doing Kayla Itsines BBG workout program (one of these days I will write a review I swear), eating healthier, and motivating each other to get out and do more. My (long distance) best friend and I began planning a massive cross country trip to take in May, and my then boyfriend and I planned a long weekend in Denver.

By late April I was feeling better and was working to coordinate all the upcoming trips. I told the job I hated that I would be leaving, began interviewing for other jobs, but then said screw it and decided to enjoy my summer. With my honors bachelor’s degree in hand, I spent my summer working as a lifeguard and swim team coach at the country club I worked at through college, and I LOVED every second of it.

In May I spent 18 days traveling across the United States. California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Colorado, and Michigan were all visited in those few weeks. Multiple planes rides, two rental cars and way too many different hotels and friends’ houses. It was the trip of a lifetime.

I came back refreshed and ready to enjoy my summer at the pool. Unfortunately my summer was characterized by heartbreak, cheap medications online and, as many of you know, even though the rest of your life can be going well, that pain you feel can completely take over. Along with a sh** ton of tears, there were still a lot of a great things that happened; a trip to Washington DC, multiple trips to Chicago, a handful of concerts (including Kygo & One Direction!) and lots of time spent on Lake Michigan. 🙂

There was a brief period there where I applied to be a nanny in Spain (because I should definitely run away from my problems) and live there from August – December. Luckily, that ended up falling through.

Along with spending my days wrangling children in the summer sun, I interviewed at probably 6-8 different places this summer, trying to line up a job for the fall. My lifeguarding & coaching gig ended on Labor Day, I left for London the day after, so I needed to have something set for late September when I returned.

Anyone that has recently searched for a job knows how time consuming and exhausting it truly is. (Not to mention nerve-wracking). Finally, in mid-August, I found out about a local company from a friend, managed to get in with the HR guy the next week, and was hired the week after that. They were totally understanding about my already booked Europe trip, so I ended up starting the Monday after I returned (September 21st).

Diving back into reality proved to be yet another adjustment, but luckily my current job is much better fit for me than my previous position. While it is not my dream job (still trying to figure that out), it is an opportunity for me to gain experience and network before I move to my new step.

October was a handful. Along with getting settled, I traveled 3 of the 5 weekends, and went to 6 different concerts (which were all wonderful distractions). November slowed way down; and we lucked out with unseasonably warm weather (I got to run in shorts!). I scaled back to just one concert, and enjoyed a long holiday weekend with my family.

By the time December arrived I couldn’t believe it that the year was almost over. The month was filled with lots of free food (hey holiday functions), roommate time, kick butt working out & a family ski trip to Colorado.

And this weekend I started 2016 optimistic and a little bit wiser (along with a few pounds lighter…boom).

To anyone who took the time to read this all…you rock. Scroll down for some of my favorite pictures & memories from this past year. Thank you!

Happy 2016!

-M