The end of the year. It makes sense to pause and reflect, to look back before moving forward.
This year I decided to have a little blog celebration about how 2014 changed me, with a look back at a post from each month that I thought was prevalent in my life.
When I first started this blog, like so many of you out there, I had no idea what I was going to write about. All I knew was that I needed to write about what moved me.
Somehow this blog became a very personal look into my life. Something I never expected to happen.
We all have different opinions about privacy, especially in this age of technology that we live in. Many bloggers are anonymous, with an alias and a pretty tree or wild animal as their profile pic.
Initially I considered the covert route.
But, I thought…put yourself out there. Show your face, the power of your words, be absolutely real, and connect with people.
Celebrate your mistakes, laugh about how truly bad you are at math, and admit that most of the time you feel like you’re simply lost.
Just like everybody else.
Along the way I met some incredible people who I have learned from, who have been there for me like family. I feel privileged to know so many of you, to share pieces of our lives with each other.
I want to thank you all for your support. You keep me writing.
It’s not about limitations. It’s also not about going for something and failing. Creativity is a beautiful gift, one which should be handled with great care. That’s what it’s about.
This time I thought…show her how much you love her, do everything you possibly can to give her strength. That was all I could do. So I gave it my all.
But, I am me
Weathered, chipped, and a little faded
The idea that life is a journey and not a destination has been spouted off by many people, from Henry David Thoreau to Aerosmith. When they thought up that brilliance, I bet they were hauling all of their shit across the country with pets.
DREAM A LITTLE DREAM ON A STREETCAR
Usually everyone tunes out on the streetcar, listening to music, fiddling with their smartphones, or sitting with their arms crossed and staring out the window. That night everyone tuned in.
No matter what happens—an accident, a disaster, a crash—we are there for one another. The beauty of the human heart will always come through.
THAT UNMISTAKABLE AMERICAN COMFORT
I hope this book will honor the female players in the smallest way that I am capable of. For they were brave women who forever deserve to be recognized and celebrated.
Robin…thank you for your amusement, your intelligence, your cool.
Lauren…thank you for your loveliness, your emotion, your grace.
Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja (B.K.S.)…thank you for your influence, your spirit, your love.
That hair’s been attached to us for years—through good times and bad, through boredom, through adventure, through love, and through sadness.
I was coming to the end of my quest. I was beaming with pride, eager to see the elusive totem pole I had chased for two months. Then, I did something so typically Britt…I botched it.
VIDEO: THE LIFE ENTHUSIAST CHRONICLES ANNIVERSARY
A loving thank you to the 11 wonderful people who contributed their beautiful words to the series this past year.
I took myself to a place we adults don’t like to visit. Vulnerable territory, where our only duties are to be naked, quiet, and still.
***HAPPY NEW YEAR, wonderful friends! Let’s bring nothing but awesomeness into 2015.***
Britt Skrabanek 
What a journey. I got to see images and portions of your year, and just even in the time I’ve known you, I’ve seen such changes. I see even more beauty, of many kinds, and it’s amazing, because my first exposure to you seemed like you were beautiful as could be.
Look forward to what 2015 brings.
Aw, shucks, Eli! *blushing*
Geez Louise, thank you! 2014 was quite the journey, and while I learned a lot about myself and the world, I’m hoping 2015 will be more chill.
Happy New Year, Eli! Keep doing the awesomeness that you’re doing! 🙂
2015 is the year you can do with what you found and learned.
Well, I’m not sure how to follow up a comment as strong as Eli’s, but I’ve enjoyed sharing the year with you, and learning all kinds of things about both you and life. : )
Right?! Eli just received the Most Wonderful Blog Commenter award.
I’ve enjoyed sharing the year with you as well, Stan. I’m so happy for your writing success in 2014. Cheers!
A year you’ll never forget! You’ve certainly given me a lift with your writing an blog.
Definitely an unforgettable year, Dannie! You lift me as well.
A great way to celebrate the year that was Britt, wishing you lots of adventures and joy for the coming one 🙂
Had to put our blog party hats on, didn’t we? Wishing you an awesome year, honey. Can’t wait to follow more of your beautiful adventures as well.
You’re amazing, Britt. What a joy and honor to know you through your blog. We are all freed when you are you. Thank you.
You’re amazing, Laura! Thank you for your sweet words and for being so lovely. Happy New Year!
Your blog is a place of inspiration, light, and fun, and the wonderful posts you listed here illustrate that. Here’s to another year of thoughtful blogging from Britt!!
Aw, thank you, honey! You know you’re one of my absolute favorites, and I look forward to every awesomely hilarious thing you say. Happy writing/blogging/reading/exercising/eating/living to both of us in the coming year. We’ll get it all in. 🙂
Blushing over here. Thank you. 🙂
It was wonderful sharing the blogging year with you and I look forward to another creative year together!
Ditto, sweet pea! You’re the best. So glad we get to hang out on the internet. It rocks!
I’m glad we’ve gotten to know each other in this crazy way. I remember last year around this time you resolved to love more in the new year and you’ve definitely kept that resolution. Wishing more love and laughter for you in the new year!
It is crazy, right? I had no idea I’d meet so many incredible peeps…like you. Yes, I did say that, didn’t I? During the craziness, that was the one thing I kept turning to. Love kept me sane.
Wishing you a beautifully creative year, honey! (More blogging, please.)
I’m late to the party and have only been marginally, sporadically engaged but I wanted to chime in anyway because a) this is such a great way to wrap up a blogging year, b) I’d like to get to know you better, and c) I just really liked this post. 🙂 Having blogged for over three years now, I’ve definitely slowed down in both motivation and content for my blog but I hope to slowly pick it back up in the new year. Here’s to a bigger and better 2015!
Haha, yes! I put you in my email notifications earlier this month, so I can keep up with you better. I really enjoy your spirited blog and can’t wait to see what you have for us in the coming year. Happy New Year, sweetie!
Happy New Year! A great retrospective. I am looking forward to the adventures that are waiting for us in 2015!! 🙂
Happy New Year, awesome Clanmother! I look forward to yours as well.
Britt you certainly put all of yourself into your blog. There’s commitment in each post and a determination to make it good. I’ll be looking out eagerly for much more of the same in 2015.
Aw, thanks, Roy! You do that too, which is why I’m such a fan. Can’t wait to read more about Mr. Roy in 2015. Always a pleasure.
Your company in 2014 has been such a pleasure. Looking forward to seeing what 2015 brings; no more totem quests, of that I am sure.
Likewise, Gallivanta! We do miss you around here, so I hope you’re preparing to come join us again very soon. If the totem quests are coming from you, I’ll accept. 🙂
I am getting back on board. Had a trip to Australia to visit the old ones again. Also my daughter who is back in hospital in the mental health respite unit.
Yes, I see a new post in my email…yay! See if I can squeeze that in before work. Wishing you and your family health, love, and joy in 2015. Hugs!
🙂 🙂 🙂