The Little Things
January 7, 2015

This year I set 14 challenges in 2014 for myself, and have updated you every quarter. Today I’m here to share how my year went as a whole, and honestly, I couldn’t really be more pleased. When I set out these goals in January, I didn’t know what the year would be like. I hadn’t met Melissa, Cait, or Meg yet (which seems unreal to me, as it seems they have been part of my life for SO long), and I thought there was a chance that I’d be living in Ecuador for the summer (I ended up getting my 2nd job and that didn’t happen). 2014 turned out to be something I couldn’t imagine, but I’ve loved it regardless.

14 Challenges

Here’s my final update:

I challenge myself to run 200 miles. DONE! I’m at 261.5 miles for the year. This has been, by far, my highest mileage year yet. I know that for many of you, this seems unbelievably low, but with POTS, it’s amazing I can do this much. My year in running has been absolutely amazing, and I’ve loved the progress that I’ve made- like setting a new PR in the half marathon!

I challenge myself to walk 275 miles. DONE! I’m at 298.5 miles for the year, which already has me over my walking mileage for 2013 (although I walked far more miles in 2012). I’ve mostly just really enjoyed being out in the sunshine and getting to be in nature throughout the year.

I challenge myself to bike 900 miles. DONE! I’ve passed this goal as well, coming in at 1,125.7 miles for the year. I’ve fallen more in love with biking than I thought possible this year, and that’s definitely reflected in my numbers. I think I biked 600 miles total in 2013, so this is a huge jump. What can I say? I love my sweet country roads, and I’ve been so thankful for my bike trainer as well.

I challenge myself to 75 hours of pilates. DONE! I did 76.5 hours, and I’ve really enjoyed it! I absolutely love pilates and pilates barre, and think the benefits are absolutely amazing. I love how grounding both of these are as well.

I challenge myself to 250 minutes of planks. DONE! I tend to be really good at doing planks from October-April or May, but I tend to really slack at them over the summer, and this summer was no different. This year I did 252.5 minutes of planks– somehow they don’t seem to be getting any easier though.

I challenge myself to run 10 races for the year. DONE! I’ve ended up running far more races than I thought this would, and have finished 12 in person races and 5 virtual races so far this year.

I challenge myself to read at least 14 books. DONE, and this one has been so fun! This summer I read more than I have in a LONG time, and I really enjoyed it. I’ve slowed down since work started again, but I’ve currently read or listened to 31 books (and have read at least half of 3 or 4 others). Getting into listening to books on tape this summer has been pretty fantastic too.

I challenge myself to go through all the clothes that I own. DONE. This one I finished at the end of January when I got rid of 54 or 56 (I forget which) items of clothing. I just did another haul at the beginning of June, getting rid of another 75ish items. My most recent haul, while the smallest of the year, showed just how much I’ve grown in this area. I think that just shows how much I’ve really held on to over the years that’s been ridiculous! This podcast (Freedom From Stuff) has been inspiring! The second half of the year I worked on following these steps to help mean clean up some of the extra clutter. 

I challenge myself to continue to be present. DONE! Am I present every single moment of every day- no, but I don’t think that’s fully possible for most of us! But being present has really changed my life, and I’m continuing to enjoy this challenge! I try to put down what I’m doing regularly to just pause in the moment. I stop and look at things in nature when I’m out on walks, and I check in regularly to see how I’m feeling, etc…

I challenge myself to continue to hunt for provisions and blessings (continuing to develop gratitude in my life). DONE! I’ve written it down twice a week, and am really enjoying it. I even started a gratitude journal outside of this blog, and it’s great to have a hard copy I can flip through. The practice of gratitude has really deeply changed my life.

I challenge myself to read the entire Bible this year. DONE! I found a plan online (it’s this one if you’re interested) and have been following that. I don’t necessarily exactly read what is outlined on the day, as sometimes I get ahead or behind (and then have to catch up). I don’t know if this really counts as cheating, but starting in November I started listening to an audio recording online, so I could get in my Bible reading while getting ready for work in the morning. That was helpful in catching up when I fell a bit behind this summer. 

I challenge myself to publish an article this year. DONE! FINALLY! This article has been hanging over my head since October 2013, and my article has been accepted and has a publication date. This feels SO good, and I love knowing that something I wrote is in an international, well respected research journal.

I challenge myself to put more time and energy into friendships and relationships. Done! I had no idea what would come of this when I wrote out this challenge in January. This one has been so much fun, and I’m loving the relationships that I’ve either strengthened or built over the last three months. I’ve even made some new blogging friends, like Melissa, Caitlin, and Meg, and I have some new coworkers who I’m really enjoying getting to know. This goal gets a big thumbs up!

I challenge myself to be brave. DONE! This year had so many hard things to it, and facing those things and allowing appropriate emotions to come is a brave thing (and so hard to do… and is something I regularly talk to my clients about). Facing choices and making the brave decision, even when it’s been hard, was so helpful. I kept this word in my head every week this past year.

(Total mileage: 1690 for the year). I’ve completed these goals above and beyond what I could imagine. It’s so helpful for me to put these challenges out on the internet where I have a little more accountability for myself. I’m so pleased where 2014 has taken me, and I’m thankful for the miles run, things I’ve accomplished, books I’ve read, and friends I’ve made. 2014 has been beautiful.

Now it’s your turn to share! How did your goals/resolutions/challenges go in 2014? What went well, and where would you like to put a little more energy?

 

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4 responses to “14 Challenges in 2014- Final Update”

  1. Melissa says:
    January 7, 2015 at 9:01 am

    I’m so proud of you for all of your huge accomplishments in 2014! Like you, I can’t believe that we haven’t known each other for much, much longer than we have; but I’m so grateful to be one of your friends. Let’s rock 2015!

    • littlethingscaroline@gmail.com says:
      January 7, 2015 at 9:29 am

      We’re already doing SO well on our reading goal 🙂 haha- thanks for your constant support. Can’t wait to cheer you on in 2015! 🙂

  2. Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says:
    January 7, 2015 at 7:58 pm

    Oh my goodness you did an amazing job exceeding all your goals.

    • littlethingscaroline@gmail.com says:
      January 8, 2015 at 11:19 am

      Thanks! This year it felt like everything came together really well, so I’m thankful for that.