I think that this is probably the 10th year I’ve made a list of the 10 things I am thankful for. I use to email it out to friends and family at Thanksgiving, but the last couple of years I’ve posted it on the blog. You can read the prior ones here and here.

2016. I know the year isn’t over and reflecting on this year is a completely separate blog post. But I can’t help to reflect on everything this year has brought me as I compile this list. So far I’d give 2016 two thumbs up, but we’ll go into those details later.

Here’s a list of the top 10 things I’m thankful for this year:

Balance – Balance is not one of my strengths. I’m an all or nuttin’ kind of gal; everything in life is either at zero miles per hour or 100 miles per hour, there’s nothing in between. I have a hard time with the “in between” because it feels like I’m half assing or wingin it. But this year I have found balance in multiple aspects of my life: Career, Fitness, and DIY projects.

I started a new job in May and with that came a work cellphone. My first job out of college came with a work cellphone and there was no work life balance. If I woke up in the middle of the night I would check emails and respond. I was terrified that this would happen again. But I have learned to disconnect, to keep that phone on silent, and to only check it if there is something that I know needs to be addressed. It’s been much less stressful thus far.

My fitness has come full circle this year. You can read about it here, here, and here. I have truly found balance in this area. I am happy with my body and the work that I do every day. I may not be able to lift as much as I use to, but I’ve still hit some PRs this year even though that wasn’t my goal. What has helped me the most in this area is the support I’ve had along the way. Crossfit is known to push people through intense workouts and to lift heavier over time. My gym has been supportive of the fact that those are not my goals and that everyone’s goals are different. I am very grateful for the people at Morrisville Community Crossfit.

It’s been a crazy and wild ride of DIY projects this year. I definitely was winging it on the first bathroom makeover, but after this year I’m a tile pro! It still scares me to enter the “point of no return” on a project. You know that point where you’re fully committed and there’s no turning back. But this past year has taught me that I can find a You Tube video for almost any problem….

I am thankful for the people who have helped me find balance this year. The people who have taken the time to help me find perspective and help me change the way I’ve looked at things in life this year. I have certainly come a long way these last 11 months.

Timing – I have a love/hate relationship with timing. There are good days and not so good days. When the stars align in life, for me, it’s like a beautiful symphony. When you’re trying to make something happen, that’s just not meant to be at the moment, it’s like trying to fit a round peg in a square hole. I know that I am EXACTLY where I am supposed to be in life. Which can be exciting and upsetting at the same time.

True Friends – This year has taught me a lot about people. I am thankful for all of the things and people that I’ve crossed paths with this year. Whether it was for a moment or for an extended period of time. I learned a lot and each interaction helped me in my journey. This year has proven to me that the connections you make and the timing of life is everything. I would not have my current job without those things because everything fell into place due to random connections I’d worked with on previous jobs and the stars truly aligned for one moment to present this opportunity. I don’t always feel this positively about the timing of my life, but it’s events like this that give me hope for the future.

I am thankful for all of the friendships in my life. Each one is different. Some of them are ride or die where you talk every day. Some are where you don’t talk every day but you can pick back up right where you left off no matter how much time has passed. I am thankful for the people in my life that challenge me and push me to go after my goals. It means a lot when your friends believe in you.

My Parents – I’ve said it every year, but it’s still true, I won the parent lottery with my mom and dad. When I feel like I’ve got no one to talk to, my mom is always there to listen, no matter what the subject it. My dad would help me with anything in life; I’m not always great about asking for help, but I get that from him too because he taught me to be self-sufficient. The election results were really difficult for me. It was difficult to see that a lot of the country could over look someone’s discrimination and extremely out dated views on race, women, religion, and orientation. As an only child I never once felt like my parents would have preferred a son. My dad does all of the typical guy things, hunting, fishing, guns, cars, building, etc. I did all of those things growing up. I love cars because we spent weekends washing cars in the driveway, changing the oil, etc. I grew up going hunting, fishing, and shrimping. I may have tagged along for the junk food involved in those things, but I was never discouraged from going. My parents never gave me any idea that I couldn’t do whatever I wanted to do or be whomever I wanted to be. It is unbelievably disheartening that we have chosen someone to represent this country that speaks with so much hate. You may think that what he says doesn’t matter, but as we learned from Remember the Titans ‘Attitude reflects leadership.’ I am thankful for the leadership of my parents, because I wouldn’t have been able to dream big and go after so many goals in life.

Country Music – It’s my life. It’s how I grew up. It’s the way I talk. It’s my past, present, and future. I can find a song to explain anything that I am going through in life. I lost count of the number of concerts I’ve been to this year; it’s definitely at least 10 and there was even one in a hurricane. Whenever I need to focus and get work done or need something to help get me through my day I just pop in some earbuds and blast my playlist of tunes.

Travel – This year I’ve done A LOT of traveling this year. I have this wanderlust spirit that yearns to experience, firsthand, places all over the world. (At the same time Carolina always calls me home). I feel that one of the best ways to learn is to travel and experience new things, to get out of your comfort zone and take risks.

Work Family – This year I started a new job. One of the biggest factors about taking this job was leaving some people at my previous job. Would I like the people? Would I fit in? I would be the youngest person in my group by a long shot. I was use to working with a young group of people that were similar in age, at my first 2 jobs. Well, it’s been six months, and I love going to work every day. The people are great, they are highly motivated, and we work well as a group. I couldn’t have asked for a better situation.

Saltwater – “The cure for everything is Saltwater. Sweat, tears, and the sea.” This year I have laughed, cried, and reflected. It hasn’t been a perfect year. Perfect is a forbidden word in my world. Although I struggle with the fact that I feel like I am not where I want to be in life, I know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

Gilmore Girls Revival – I am excited in anticipation of the release of Gilmore Girls Revival this week. I hope it lives up to my expectations. I feel like this entire year has been spent talking about the revival and reliving my this part of my childhood. Rory (and Paris) taught me a lot about life. I’m not sure what we’re going to do once the revival is over!

One more year of my Twenties – Ahhhhh. Turning 30 kinda terrifies me. I feel like you really have to have your shit together when you’re 30. Not that I’m reckless or anything, but I like the feeling that I chalk a mistake up to being 20-something. For some reason I feel like that’s not allowed when you hit 30. Technically I have 54 weeks until I turn 30. I plan to make the most of those weeks. As Dena Carter Said……

In my mind 30 IS old.

I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving with Family and Friends!