December 21 – Future Self. Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?) (Author: Jenny Blake)

I will sit here until I am blue in the face telling everyone and their mother that “things work out how they are supposed to – so there is no sense in worrying so much.” Unfortunately, I’m quite the hypocrite about it. Because I (too often) sweat the small stuff, stress myself out, and drive myself absolutely crazy worrying so much.

So, I think the best thing I could possibly tell the future me (and the current me) is to friggin’ RELAX.

Every little thing is going to work out how it should in the end. Everything. And I need to learn to enjoy life’s moments more with much less worry.

December 17 – Lesson Learned What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward? (Author: Tara Weaver)

This has kind of been a tough prompt for me. After a lot of thought, I think the best thing I learned this year is that I am capable. Sometimes I allow the word “can’t” to creep into my head more often than I would like to actually admit. From graphic designing challenges at work to even running on the treadmill, I somehow let the “I can’t” take over my brain and give up instead of pushing myself to overcome the mental block.

It’s definitely something I have been working on all year, and I do have my moments of weakness, but for the most part I have really learned that I truly am capable of doing anything that I set my mind to as long as I believe in myself.

That last part of my lesson that I mentioned, the “as long as I believe in myself,” part really is the key to knowing that I am capable and the key to continue overcoming any future “can’t” battles. If I don’t believe in myself, why should anyone else? I am smart, strong, & resilient but I have to believe that first and those three words, “I am capable,” is a great way to remind myself. =)

*Photo Credit

December 13 – Action When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step? (Author: Scott Belsky)

The past year was definitely about making BIG steps towards my goals. I was on a fast-paced train and I was doing whatever I needed to do to get to where I wanted to be. However, I feel as though my 2011 is going to be quite different from my 2010 whirlwind. It’s going to be full of reaching small goals & taking baby steps towards achieving my bigger goals for the future.

So, for the time being, my focuses of 2011 are to:

• Improve my design & development skills (especially CSS).
• Continue to better my running.
• Cultivate & grow friendships.
• Save money.
• Increase my involvement with communities I’ve already been established with and help them grow.
• Continue spreading positivity.

It might be a small list but there’s always room for more. =)

December 10 – Wisdom Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out? (Author: Susannah Conway)

I’m the kind of girl who likes to stay busy. I get bored pretty easily so I fill my plate up with projects and social gatherings and leave little time to relax beyond the 6-7 hours of sleep (if I’m lucky) I get at night.

Back in June, I had a bit of a breakdown. I had gone and made my life so incredibly busy that I found I had absolutely no time to breathe and my stress levels were through the roof. I never slept, I put my health on the back burner, I put everyone else’s needs in front of my own, and I was quite simply a mess. I felt myself growing distant – not physically distant but emotionally distant. I was present in body but not usually in spirit. I grew quite good at putting on a show and although others perceived me as being “happy,” I was really just crying out of for help on the inside.

So, for me, the wisest decision I made this year was to slow down.

When I burst out in somewhat of an uncontrollable sob while sharing dessert with my sister, it hit me that I just couldn’t live this way anymore. It didn’t matter that I wanted so desperately to advance my career, grow my network, support my friends in their endeavors, or anything of that sort. In fact, for once, the only thing that mattered at that moment was me – a far stretch from what I had been putting as priority in my life.

So, I removed myself from the chaos of my own life and promised myself I would put me first regardless of what was happening around me. I started eating healthier, I got back to the gym, I took the majority of the week to just relax on my couch, I slept, and little by little, I was put back together – I was finally strong again – mind, body, and spirit.

“Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going to fast – you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.” ~Eddie Cantor

*Photo Credit

December 7 – Community Prompt: Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? (Author: Cali Harris)

Community played a HUGE role for me in 2010. I realized early on that the only way to grow your network was to become involved online and offline. I established a strong community on Twitter with local people but mainly with people in other states. I have met some really amazing people who have helped me grow throughout the year – whether it was discussing design, development, writing, or even just sports talk, I found people to connect with, learn from, and help.

Although online communities are truly fantastic, I was really able to build my local community here in Orlando too. I’m involved with a few organizations (Florida Drupal, Florida Creatives, LadyBallers, Relay for Life Downtown Orlando, and Yelp) and I have been absolutely amazed by the connections I’ve gained over this year. I am truly surrounded by wonderful, smart, and talented people. So, it is definitely important for me to stay involved locally and for 2011 and I really want to grow with these communities further. I want to continue to be involved and establish stronger relationships with those I’ve already met but also spread the word about these great locals.

“Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt

*Photo Credit

My roommate and I just finished decorating our house for Christmas. It’s our 2nd Christmas living together and I have to say that this year feels more like home. Everything has a place to go in the house and it feels like we now have a bit of a tradition.

I absolutely love traditions. Knowing that I always have something or someone to fall back on simply makes my heart smile. And quite frankly, it might just be my favorite part about holidays. Of course I love a gift or two =) but the comfort of tradition trumps any sort of gift in my book.

This cozy feeling of the holidays surrounding me in full-force today helps me to easily paint the picture of my answer to today’s #reverb10 topic:

December 4th: Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?

For me, cultivating a sense of wonder in my life is about creating experiences that are new, uncomfortable, and surprising. Earlier this year, I read the book, The Artist’s Way. The book focuses on helping you find a deeper meaning and connection with your creative journey. I was first intrigued by this book after I became a full time graphic designer and I realized how quickly my creative juices could dwindle down. I really enjoyed this book because it helped shine a new light to my creativity. I was asked to answer questions that once had never crossed my mind (and that were quite difficult to be honest). I was also asked to take myself on a date every week to a new place and to breathe in new things, feelings, surrounds, etc.

At first, I kinda thought the whole concept was silly – take myself on a date? But once I realized that I’ve had plenty of “me” time in the past and after the first couple of dates occured, I realized that this was the perfect way to continue to create wonder in my life – To go to places I had never been to instead of the same old same old, to try new recipes/desserts, to try a new kind of exercise (Jillian Michaels is kicking my butt this month!), etc… I realize those are ways that I create wonder in my everyday life and I hope to continue to create this sense of wonder as I head into 2011.

*Photo Credit