2020: Another year past and the dawn of a new decade. Bring it on!
Well, that just flew by didn't it? Or is it just me that feels like the year disappeared before I even got a chance to settle into it?
In some ways, it’s been a momentous year for me. I've started to settle into a groove with my nutrition business, although I am ready to take it up a gear in 2020 (but more on that in another post). I welcomed, with more love than I thought I was capable of, my first grandchild; a delicate petal of a little girl whose smile lights up a room and makes my heart grow bigger. I've travelled to Egypt and seen the ancient wonders of the world; a memorable and humbling trip that blew my mind (and my digestive system… but let's not talk about that)! I've been able to spend time with friends and family on both sides of the Tasman and reconnect with my cultural roots; a part of my world that is very important to me and my wellbeing. And, I've developed some amazing new friendships and rekindled relationships with special people from my past, all of whom I am very grateful for being part of my world.
But this year it’s not just a new year; it’s a new decade. I've read and heard that this is a time of new beginnings that will see big changes in people's lives and the way we live, which may well be true. However, when I look back on this past decade, it's been pretty life-changing and I've had a personal transition that has been partly thrust upon me and partly a deliberate and intentional change that I have openly embraced.
Just over 10 years ago I physically and mentally burnt out. I had gone from being a successful, career-oriented gen-x woman to a tired and sick individual that didn't know who I was anymore. My body had shut down and I didn't work for a year. It's been called adrenal exhaustion, HPA dysregulation, chronic fatigue and burnout but regardless what you call it, it left me reconsidering life's purpose and my approach to how I wanted to show up in the world.
That was the turning point for the decade that has now passed. I recovered, although the body still falters from time to time, and I went back to work. At the time I couldn't bring myself to go back into the role of a human resource manager and as luck would have it, at the beginning of 2010 I was offered a position as a change manager. The role was perfect as it used my skills and background but without the stress and commitment of a long term position. I'm ever so grateful for that role as it spring boarded me into a world of contracting that has ultimately provided me with the flexibility and funding to pursue a career in nutritional medicine. I went back to university and though it took a while, 7 years in fact (because I worked and studied, not because I'm thick…), I'm now a qualified clinical nutritionist. Then to top it off there is the little person that graced me with the new and very auspicious title of Nana.
So as I look back over the decade that was I think "Wow - that's a lot of change in a relatively short amount of time"! Two career transitions, a university degree, a bucket load of contracts, international travel, a new business and (my favourite thing of all) becoming a grandmother. The decade has had its ups and downs with health, life and study hurdles but overall its been a good one.
Now I turn my focus to the year to come, with all the amazing potential that it brings. I'm not one for new year resolutions and "new year, new me" type stuff but I do like to set an intention of health, love and openness to what the future may bring.
I hope that 2020 brings you, your families and your friends’ health, love and happiness. A happy new year and a new decade to you. I look forward to connecting with you throughout the year.
Love and light ML