It’s December 31st and I have spent most of the day cleaning. My Mum always said that if your house was dirty at midnight – it would be dirty all year. It’s funny how those things never leave you.
As I was cleaning, I was thinking about the year that has passed and realized that I learned some valuable lessons along the way. I decided to take a break and jot them down.
Here are 5 of my ‘ah-ha’ moments from this year
1. My full time job is not my life
It’s taken me a long time to figure this one out, but my corporate job is just a job. Witnessing the layoffs of talented individuals I realized that no matter how good we are – we are all replaceable, and some day they will replace me. I take pride in my work and love the people I work with, but my life exists outside of that office. My job isn’t who I am and it isn’t a measure of my success as an individual. I no longer live to work there; I work there to live.
2. Google can make you more independent
What do you do when your washing machine breaks and you live alone? Or what about when you need to replace your shower head or fix the leaking toilet? I discovered this year – you Google it! Everything you ever needed to know about repairs, home renovations, plumbing and electrical – it’s all there with great videos to walk you through it! I have fixed so many things by myself this year, all with my laptop propped up next to me while watching step-by-step videos! It really felt good to be able to do these things myself. Want to know what else Google did for me? It helped me find the snow removal company so I don’t have to shovel my driveway… Yes – Google is MY friend!
3. Technology can save me valuable time
Almost 90% of shopping that I did was online. Penguin Pick Up and Loblaws Click & Collect saved me so much time this year! We even have an app at work that I can order my Tim Horton’s tea ahead of time so it’s ready when I get to the counter! Syncing my phone to my car allows me to listen to podcasts on my drives or call my friends for a catch up. I don’t go to the bank anymore, I do it all on my app and have not waited in 1 single bank line all year! Embracing technology more thank before has really paid off.
4. Money is made to be spent and I need to treat myself
I made some different choices this year. I didn’t invest in the painting I need done in my house, or fixing the big dent I put on my car, I took that money and splurged a little on myself. I cruised concierge on the Disney Dream, I upgraded to business class on a couple of flights and I paid to have someone ELSE shovel my driveway. While I’m sure my sister is reading this thinking “YAY – she’ll splurge on a cabana again at Castaway Cay or buy that house in Florida” – I need to remind her that I’m only going to splurge on what I can afford to!
5. You can be scared, but you need to try anyway
Launching my website was scary, what if people didn’t like it? What if it was a flop? What if I wasn’t good at it? Too many WHAT IFs! I spent so many years being afraid of what people would think, and truth be told – I was afraid to fail. This year I decided it was time to throw caution to the wind and take a chance. It was the best decision I made all year. Have I failed? Yes – I have had many ‘failures’ in this adventure, but I have learned from every single one of them. Were some people mean? Yes – the Internet has trolls, but it is also full wonderful people who have encouraged and supported me along the way. For that, I will always be grateful.
Now, I’d better get back to cleaning… I can’t risk a dirty house all year!
Thank you for following, I hope my site brought some Pixie Dust in to your days. I have enjoyed every minute of connecting with you all.
Wishing you all a magical new year!
All the best,
Pixie Dust Fan
