Good bye, 2016. Let’s go 2017!
2016 Lessons Learned
- Everyone believes they have integrity. Very few have the courage to live it
- The only way to overcome your fear is to run towards it until you can’t see it anymore
- Self love and compassion are the most radical forms of resistance
- Story telling is a powerful way to heal and form community
- Vulnerability is bravery. Authenticity is freedom
- Coaches (of all types) have a multiplier effect and can help push boundaries
- Life is too god damn short to live in fear of failure or disappointment
- My primary language of love is Acts of Service and my language of apology is Accepting Responsibility
- I find it more challenging to call out white women on their privileges (vs. white men)
- Listen to criticism but don’t give into cynicism
- I judge more harshly when I’m dating women, compared to when I date men
- I have an incredible safety net that is ready to catch me when I fall composed of my family, friends, mentors, and sponsors. I am eternally grateful for and humbled by these incredibly kind and generous people
Work in Progress
- I realized my sense of self-worth is derived from my ability to serve others. This attribution of worth based on my significance to others led me to feeling powerless and worthless when I hit a low point and felt I could no longer serve. Now I remind myself that I am worthy simply for being, rather than because I’m producing, serving, or progressing
- I need to learn to bounce back from being disappointed by people without lowering my standards or completely shutting down, unless I’m ready to walk away from the relationship
- I still haven’t found a sustainable way to manage guilt around caregiving / supporting my parents
- I’m learning to truly celebrate others’ successes without letting my own insecurities, jealousy, or cynicism get in the way
- I still don’t know how to help myself or others grieve loved ones’ deaths
Highlights / Lowlights Summary
- Attended 5 beautiful, radically different weddings — inspired, I jumped back into the dating scene
- Developed a sincere love for working out as an outlet for my stress and anxiety. In 2016, I took over 195 workout classes via ClassPass
- Had a pretty major heart break from an unexpected connection, and realized I am still capable of falling in love and feeling alive. I promised to never settle in my quest for butterflies in my stomach
- Told my story of caring for my mom for the first time, which felt truly empowering and humbling
- Fell in love with boxing. I want to get better at sparring so I don’t get my ass kicked every time
- Got an IUD – hurt like shit but totally worth it
- Finally decided to follow my lifelong desire to be an entrepreneur by starting two side hustles (this one and this one)
- Was inspired by so many of my friends’ new ventures as entrepreneurs — check out the Sarap Shop, Muay Thai Diaries, Lambert Floral Studio!
- Hosted a public post-election community dinner for healing, which made me realize how much I miss community organizing and working with like-minded folks
- Remembered my grandparents, both of whom passed in 2015, with Mom by having our first annual Jesa ritual, which was incredibly healing and grounding
My mission statement for 2017:
2017 will be the year that I run towards my fears to launch my dreams.
Fill in your blank:
2017 will be the year that I _______________________________.
Cheers,
Michelle
2016 in photos
