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Fitness•Lifestyle

2014: A Year in Review

December 31, 2014

This year has gone fast and yet these past couple weeks overall have gone by so slowly, probably because I am beyond ready to pop that bottle of champagne at midnight and welcome 2015. While I had a lot of good intentions for this year, it ended up being one of the most challenging years I’ve had in a long time.

But challenging is not a bad thing. After all, challenges are simply opportunities in disguise. This year came with a lot of reflecting… reflecting on what I truly want in life, who I am and where I’m going. All of this thinking has led to increased stress and anxiety, so much so that I’ve become exhausted from my thoughts and have trouble sleeping at night. Let me tell you, this is not a good combination. Right after our move to a new apartment, I realized how important it was to focus on relaxation and reducing my stress. It has been getting better and I’m finding more time for myself again, but honestly this is how I feel about this year.

Without getting into all the details of this year, I have LEARNED a lot. And I’m more ready than ever to tackle my goals. Last year’s goals/resolutions were mainly focused on fitness and fiances, still carried over from my 2013 resolutions. I am happy to say this year was great for me in those two areas.

While I haven’t lost any additional weight this year, I also haven’t gained any weight. I have been good about getting to the gym, and the most exciting part of my year health and fitness wise was getting back into running. But I’m not those crazy people who still run outside in the snow, ice and cold, so I’ve been having a hard time adjusting back to a gym. I started up a weight lifting routine again and it has been going well, and I will be participating in a lot of fitness classes in January now that ClassPass is in Minneapolis! I think because I have this down, I need to focus again on healthy eating. These past couple weeks have been awful – as I’m sure they are for most people – but I hope to learn how to enjoy a little bit during these times of the year without overindulging.

Financially, I am feeling really good about that this year. I have learned to say no to things I don’t really need, but could still work on it. I could probably still be doing a better job saving, but I was able to save for some of my trips and had more than enough to cover food, fun and lodging. I think I will continue to save up for travel and variable expenses so that when they come I don’t feel like I have to take out of my savings or change my living habits for a week because my insurance premium is due. I would love to do a post more in depth about how saving for travel and variable expenses and reducing my shopping budget has really helped me feel at peace financially. I could always be doing a better job at some of my shopping though, for example, there are lots of new home decor and furniture I want for our new apartment. Well all of that isn’t cheap, so I’m making a priority list and working through it. And just like with shopping for clothes, I’m thrifting and antiquing to see what we can make our own versus buying brand new.

Regardless of some of the struggles this year, I still had some really amazing times! Lots of my friends got married this year, which meant some awesome bachelorette parties, I got to go to Vegas for my 26th golden birthday and moved into a wonderful new apartment, while living with friends for two weekends during our “homeless” time. I spent time with my family for my birthday, my mom’s birthday, my dad’s birthday and my little sister finally turned 21! If you have been following me for awhile, I like to review my year personally, so here are some photos from the fun times I had this year:

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Thank you for being a part of my 2014 – Have a wonderful New Year’s!!!!!!!!! See you in 2015!

2014 cheers to 2015 family friends fun goals resolutions year in review

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Comments

  1. KizzyDoll says

    December 31, 2014 at 9:35 AM

    Lots of marvellous pictures and memories doll, so cute :)) I hope you have a wonderful time bringing in the New Year & may it be a joyful one for you, filled with lots of love and happiness, may all your dreams and wishes it’s always so lovely to see your comments and I as well feel like I know you very much and we’re great friends, even though we haven’t met in real life…maybe one day we will 🙂 You’re a sweet gal and I hope you have a great time. Loves <3

    Reply
  2. Bethie The Boo says

    December 31, 2014 at 9:41 AM

    2015 will be a better year, I’m sure of it! I’m glad you can look back though and find the positives! And let me know if you ever want a workout buddy, I’m trying to get back on that wagon myself!

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      December 31, 2014 at 10:54 AM

      I’m certain it will be a better year! And I would love that – I’m a little bit nervous to take classes because I’ve never done it before – it would be great to have a friend!

      Reply
  3. Melissa Ann DesAutels says

    December 31, 2014 at 4:21 PM

    Love the post Rachel!!!! Wish I was there to bring in the new year with you both!!! Miss ya!!

    Reply
  4. Rachel's Lookbook says

    December 31, 2014 at 4:44 PM

    Thank you Mel! You have no idea how much Joe and I miss you and Adam! But I know we'll be seeing you soon! 🙂 Happy New Year love! xoxo

    Reply
  5. Rachelle says

    December 31, 2014 at 11:14 AM

    Love looking back at these pics and cannot wait to see more from you in 2015. Happy New Year Rach.

    xo
    PinkSole

    Reply
  6. Amy Fashion Blog says

    December 31, 2014 at 12:00 PM

    2015 will be your year

    Reply
  7. ~ Carmen ~ says

    December 31, 2014 at 12:23 PM

    Learning to save money is hard! There’s so many things out there that we really don’t need. Love that Christmas sweater. Have a wonderful New Year! :] // ▲ itsCarmen.com ▲

    Reply
  8. tracy says

    December 31, 2014 at 4:59 PM

    Happy New Year Rachel. I hope 2015 brings lots of good things your way.

    Reply
  9. Denisa says

    January 1, 2015 at 2:10 AM

    I wish you all the best in 2015. “O)

    http://www.fashiondenis.com

    Reply
  10. Ashley says

    January 1, 2015 at 5:08 AM

    What a year! Love reading your goals, babe- I know you are going to do big + amazing things in 2015!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

    Reply
  11. Amy Ann says

    January 1, 2015 at 9:14 AM

    I agree, 2014 wasn’t the easiest of years but that doesn’t have to be bad. Cheers to 2015!

    Amy Ann
    The Real Arnolds

    Reply
  12. AJ says

    January 5, 2015 at 12:01 PM

    YAY for 2014!! You had an amazing year but I hope 2015 brings you more lessons and happiness than 2015 did!

    -AJ

    Reply
  13. Kirsty says

    January 5, 2015 at 11:31 PM

    Happy New Year to you Rachel! I hope you have a wonderful 2015… Cant wait to follow along!
    x Kirsty

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 2015: A Year in Review - Rachel's Lookbook says:
    December 31, 2015 at 5:30 AM

    […] more! 2014: A Year in Review | 2013: A Year in Review | 2012: A Year in […]

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  2. 2019: A Year in Review says:
    January 6, 2020 at 3:36 PM

    […] doing a recap of the year post, as I have for the past several years (see them here: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 – wow I guess pretty much the entire decade). I’m going to try […]

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Rachel. Welcome to Rachel's Lookbook. Here you can find everything from fashion and beauty to travel and lifestyle.

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I wish I had posted about this in my feed sooner, but I honestly didn’t know what to say or how to say it. I spent way too long overthinking it versus just doing it. I know that’s not an excuse, and I know I have to do better. I’ve been spending a lot of time reflecting and educating myself as well as finding ways to help and be proactive. I am committing myself to do more and do better. I know it’s not enough and I’m not sure it will ever be enough... but I will never stop trying. 

The most important thing I learned is that my silence in the past was unacceptable and a huge part of the problem. I thought not knowing what to say and worrying about saying the wrong thing meant it was ok to be silent. It WAS NOT and IS NOT ok.

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