Ready or Not, It's 2015

2014 was the year I had always been waiting for. It would be the year I left a job with children I loved but a schedule that sucked up all of my available time and left me a ball of exhausted stress. It would be the year I finally left Switzerland, a beautiful but challenging country that I only moved to for one year (and stayed for five!). It would be the year I finally, after nearly ten years of dreaming, saving, and planning, would go on my big trip around the world. And perhaps most importantly it would be the year that Paul and I moved into our first home together, just the two of us. My anticipation last New Years was at an all time high - I already knew 2014 would be great!

As expected, 2014 rushed by far too fast, although everything I had hoped would happen, did. Paul and I stayed relatively well during our travels, we only lost a few small things, and we returned to our house in Scotland mostly unscathed. We've had the chance to see family and friends during and after our trip, but with my immigration process we are temporarily passport-less. We've managed to spend the majority of our savings in just a few weeks, and then realize what a big process it is to actually furnish an empty house if you arrive with only a few boxes of clothes and books. Let me tell you, 2014 was amazing and exhausting, but I wouldn't have changed a minute of it. It was the year I was present in the moment and living for the day - a lesson I hope I can keep in all the upcoming years.

And now we've moved into a new year, 2015. While I knew every big event that would happen in 2014, I have no idea what will happen this year. There are so many things that are up in the air, so many unsolved questions and fuzzy timeframes. When will I be given my living permit and when will our passports be returned? How long will it take to apply for and receive my Scottish teaching qualifications? How long will it take to get background checks from the U.S., Switzerland and now the UK? Will I be able to get a teaching job this year? Would it be better if I continued to work from home? Will Paul find a job he loves? When will be able to visit our friends in Switzerland? Will this house EVER be finished, or will we live among boxes and chaos forever?

 

Boxes, beds, chests, so many things!

One thing I do know about 2015 is that it is a fresh start for both of us. We can be who we want to be. We've joined our local gym, not because it's New Years and that's what everyone does but because we finally live close enough and can afford it. And because getting fit and healthy is something everyone should make a priority, no matter what day of the year it is. We can change habits that we fell into when we were just in survival mode in Switzerland or while traveling. We can make time for the things we love - for me that's more running, yoga, guitar, and writing. As I'm currently working from home, I can construct my days so that they are productive, healthy and low-stress. I didn't wait for 2015 to arrive to change these things, I made them a habit right from the start and I'm loving it. 

The walk through the field next to our housing complex.

Scotland is so beautiful 

Home sweet home

I don't really believe in New Years resolutions because - and let's be honest - does anyone ever keep them? But I do believe that we can change, and so I hope in this coming year of unknown and challenges that I can keep me in the present the moment, enjoy the friendship and family that I am so blessed to have, advance my teaching skills, and live a healthy, balanced life. And that's not a resolution, that's a choice I make every day when I wake up. So ready or not, bring it on 2015!