A few weeks ago, I started to think about how I wanted to summarize 2016 on the blog and I just started getting stressed out about it. Well, not stressed exactly, but I couldn’t quite figure out how to create a post. It feels like so much has happened, both good and bad; and it feels like I have been talking about much of it throughout the year. So, I don’t feel like re-hashing a lot.
At this point, I am much more focused on moving forward.
Now, I know that many of us have been expressing our sincere desire to move on from 2016. I’ve even heard and read about many people believing that it has been one of the worst years, and I was quite tempted to jump on that band wagon too. But, I couldn’t really do that… there was too much amazingness sprinkled in + around the tough stuff. Plus, all of that tough stuff… it’s exactly the stuff that transforms and changes us. It’s the reason that we grow and change and evolve.
With that said, I decided on a post that celebrates my most popular posts throughout the year. And, amazingly, the top 10 are a perfect array of all of those ups + downs, good times + bad times, that peppered my year. The highest of highs + lowest of lows. Turns out, this may just be the perfect summary of my year actually.
So, my friends, here you go. From #10 to # 1. The posts that you all liked + read the most. Feel free to revisit them + see some of the amazing + crazy moments that 2016 gave to me. For each and every one of them, I am deeply grateful.
// No. 10 //
// No. 9 //
// No. 8 //
// No. 7 //
// No. 6 //
// No. 6 //
// No. 4 //
10 books to start your year + feed your soul (in totally different ways)
// No. 3 //
// No. 2 //
// No. 1 //
telling my story of faith + exclusion and the rebellious act of being me
Wow. What a roller coaster of a year. My posts even bounced from pure bliss to fucking it all. I suppose, looking back, I see that I managed to remain quite grounded and stable. At least in the sense that I survived and made it. However, to be honest, internally I don’t feel quite as calm and balanced and grounded as I like. Which has a lot to do with what I am feeling I need to be rising up from my soul for 2017.
Yes, I am grounded and centered, and I have learned so much about living slowly and mindfully. Internally, I feel so grounded. But, when it comes to life… I have much work to do in learning how to practice what I preach.
In no way am I saying that I have failed, but instead, I am acknowledging that this is the next step. First, we simply must believe and let a new way of living sink in. Then, we practice living it. That’s where I am now. Digging deeper. Living more authentically. That’s what’s ahead for me, based on this past year’s adventures and experiences.
Now, before I end this post, just a quick thank you to all of you, my dear readers. I am so humbled + thankful by your presence here. For your support, your kind words, your cheers, and the ways that you have followed me through not only this year, but all almost 7 years of this website/blog. It is a true honor to have you read my thoughts and take part in my adventures with me.
I absolutely cannot wait to see what 2017 brings, and I am committed to continuing this blog, growing the website, and sharing with you, as usual, my ponderings, my crazy shenanigans, my travel adventures, my tips for a mindful, slow life and my pursuit of the sacred everyday.
Here’s to many more blog posts to come!
Happy New Year, wild ones!
xoxo. liz.
Great way to round up a year. I’m glad that you had a lot of good sprinkled in too. I hope 2017 brings you growth, strength and peace! Loads of love!
Thank you, Paige! I absolutely had some good times. It was, I guess you could say, a “real” year. Lots of love and light to you and Matt in 2017!
Liz, what a wonderful wrap-up of your amazing year. I was so excited when you all bought your own place, and sad to hear of your losses. We’ve had a similar year of incredible highs and awful lows, so I empathize. James and I want to wish you and Line a happy and healthy New Year filled with love and adventure. All the very best, Terri
Hello Terri! Thank you so much for checking in and for celebrating it all with me. What a powerful witness you two are to the power of community through blogs. Wishing you and James continued adventures and sending you blessings of love and light. xo