I fully understand the importance of having a full time job, saving for the future, using my resources to my advantage, and “adulting” in a responsible way. I take great pride in watching my IRA and 401K grow each and everyday.
With that said, I also understand the importance of living life to the fullest, whatever that may mean for you. I write these posts once every so many months, and find they are predominently written when I am away from the high paced, somewhat high stress environment that comes with a job like mine.
Don’t get me wrong, I am 100% aware that what I think I become, and what I feel I project. My stress is 100% self made and it’s my choice whether or not I have a smooth day or a tough day. I can manifest my own destiny day in and day out.
How powerful is that?
These posts flare up when I have time to reflect, to think, to just be. Vacation is a fantastic opportunity to not only reset your body, but reset your mind.
I often leave my vacations with a better mindset on how I want to live my life, in and out of a 9-5 job scene.
Granted I don’t work a 9-5 job, I have chump change for a daily routine, and some days are a cake walk, but you get the idea.
The feelings I get after a great run are the feelings I want in life. A sense of accomplishment from something only I have control over. I am the one to determine the effort put into each and everything I do, and at the end of the day I am the only one with control over how I view what I’ve done to succeed in life.
Success comes in many shapes and sizes.
I take comfort knowing that I am setting myself up for a future I want, but I have also made an attempt to fully accept living each day for what it is. The stress of society is not something I want to be too caught up in, and as I reflect on my year, my life, and my being, I am discovering more of what I want in my life and what I view as success.
I finally believe that when you quiet your mind of negative thoughts, allow your creativity to flow, and accept the present moment, life works the way it’s meant to.
As my last post of 2015, I leave with a compilation of reflections. My only goal for 2016 is to further explore the power of my own thoughts, and how to start listening to them better. I want to take more risks, climb more mountains, eat more food, drink more coffee, and help more people. In sum I want to be fully and 100% alive.
What good is a life spent in an environment where you don’t actually feel alive? It’s a waste of precious chromosomes if you ask me, and I’m not one to waste.
Arizona, what is this bright thing?
No questions, just spewing brain sludge today. Cheers to a happy, healthy, and successful 2016 – whatever that means to you!
Blissfulbritt 
80 thoughts on “Reflections over Resolutions”
auroraroschen
Thanks for sharing, Brittany! I love that you acknowledged throughout this post the importance of investing wisely and being responsible… as well as learning to let go and live in the present moment. That is a healthy duality that many of us would benefit from working toward. Wishing you a lovely 2016!
Brittany
Thank you for the kind words! 🙂 Cheers to a new year!
thehipandthrifty
Happy New Year! Your photos are awesome, as usual! Also…I had to giggle a little at the sign that said “full half 10k”…seems a bit of an oxymoron, doesn’t it? Like a full half-glass of water? But, hey. It is what it is. 😀
Brittany
Hahaha I see what you mean, perhaps a dash between those would make it a bit more clear. 😉
Rach @ This Italian Family
Happy 2016, friend. I hope this new year is full of good things for you as you head the direction you want to go! Love these posts of self reflection. 🙂
Brittany
Thank you my dear! ❤
shellybartz
Happy New Year, crazy girl! You certainly do brighten our days and give us things to ponder… Thank you for your humor, your gift of gab, your honesty, transparency and fun posts. Here’s to a great 2016!💃💪🏼👟👣🐶🐱
Brittany
What a sweet comment, you have made my day! ❤
Nita Wilson
Hey we’ve had a bright thing for a few days too.  It’s lovely but lots of frost on the windows and grass.  it’s ok, the sun is shining. went to an amazing salad restaurant.  and never got to get donuts.  Line was wrapped around the building again and it was cold and raining and we had to catch the train.
Â
Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind–Bruce Lee
Brittany
We can go when we visit. I’ll walk there!
Becster
Definitely a thought provoking post here! I work the 9-5 job and January is the busiest month of the year. It can be stressful but if truth be told, I thrive on the being busy bits! Having said that, I need to get a better work/home life balance now that I have two kids. It’s a struggle which I wish I didn’t have to face!
Anyway, have a Happy New Year’s and all the best for 2016!!
Brittany
Yes! Don’t let those precious years with your kids pass you by. I’m confident you’ll find that balance. 🙂
Katie T
It’s so great to be revisiting your blog. It’s incredible how contemplative we can be outside of our routines. The stillness, the unplanned days, create such a space for true reflection. It’s not lost on me that the holiday season provides such an opportunity as well. The big test is finding moments, amid these self-created busy days how to return to that mindfulness. Wishing you the best in that pursuit during 2016 and beyond!
Brittany
Hello Katie! Thank you for the comment, I really enjoy this time of year specifically for the challenge of finding that overall balance!
dave379
Love it, keep listening and living 🙂 All the best for a creative and great 2016.
Brittany
Thank you Dave, to you as well!
Lindsay @ A Runnaroundd Life
Cheers to a brand new year! Can’t wait for this one :))) And I’m happy to keep following along on your journey.
Brittany
Right back atcha my unstoppable running friend!
wanderwolf
This is a beautiful reflective post. I agree with what you say about being in control of what you feel and what you can accomplish. Cheers to a great new year… may they bring less dental issues and many more beautiful spots of nature and city for you to discover!
Also, thanks again for the giveaway. My Dad loves his new case. 🙂
Brittany
Fingers crossed NO MORE DENTAL issues, HA! I am so glad you got the case!! YAY.
usabaker
Its been great reading your blog and sharing in your experiences! What a great year! can’t wait to see you in the next! Happy New Year
Brittany
Thank you for always leaving such kind comments, I hope for many more adventures to share!
Ellie
I don’t know if it’s possible for you to drink more coffee 😉 Happy New Year Britt 🙂
Brittany
Truth, that wouldn’t be such a good idea!
Anthony
Happy New year Britt.
First off, I loved this post. You put an inspiring spin on everything, and whether you know it or not, you’ve got it together.
Secondly, I got my annual WP review and I noticed that your blog, outside of social media, was the biggest referrer of people to my blog. Thanks so much for that. I don’t know how it happened, but I really appreciate that–I appreciate your comments more, but it is still nice that some people have found my words through you.
Lastly, I hope the next year has more of that great mix of adulthood responsibility mixed with wide-eyed adventure. Good luck with everything.
Brittany
This is my favorite comment for many reasons. First thank you for those kind words, sometimes it’s nice to be reminded we have our lives together more than we think. Second I’m so glad people have clicked your blog from mine! Spreading the love all around. Happy new year, and happy writing!
P
I’m looking forward to a happy, rewarding, and bright 2016 as well 🙂
Happy New Year 🙂 !!!
Brittany
Thank you, and cheers to many miles!
Noemí
Aw! Very inspirational!! Happy new year!
Brittany
Thanks friend! 😝
Amy @ A Desert Girl
Great goal for the new year! I hope it holds all you want. Love your pics of the desert!
Brittany
Thank you, I’d hope you of all would approve!
Allie Zottola
“I take comfort knowing that I am setting myself up for a future I want, but I have also made an attempt to fully accept living each day for what it is.” I feel like that should be a framed quote sold in stores! I love this post, Brittany. I really love your goal of being fully alive… and drinking more coffee :). I hope 2016 is amazing for you!
Brittany
You make me blush. Thank you!
Allie Zottola
Just speakin’ the truth!
Josh dV
Beautiful pictures! I love the American South West, there is no place I’d rather be.
You can manifest your our destiny. That is some heavy shit right there but it is truth. I’m looking forward to the next year and I think we share an enthusiasm for life and a joyful mindfulness of what is.
I am grateful to have found you and your writing. It is a happy part of my life now. Thank you for sharing!
Brittany
Your comment has made my day! Thank you, and here’s to many more blog posts and many more miles!
katalysthealth
As always, thank you for sharing such beautiful, well put together thoughts that I can only dream of putting together. Seriously, how is your brain not mush in 2016? Mine sure is! Must be all that coffee I drink 😉
Brittany
It comes out like vomit, just can’t stop. Bahaha.
themauritiangeographer
Happy New Year! Oh and my stress is 100% because of me and nothing else as well! I tend to overthink about everything until there’s a whole mountain sitting on my shoulders. I decided to take it easy today and funnily enough, that was so much either (although for how long will it last? haha). Just keeping the negative thoughts away and going forward 🙂
Brittany
The thoughts are everything! Simple living is so much easier. 🙂
Jess @hellotofit
I’m learning how to control my stress more, which is COMPLETELY brought on by my one self, like you say 🙂 it’s nice to surround ourselves with people that are not as high-strung as we can sometimes be (okay just me)!
I love that you are going to acknowledge more of the power of your thoughts in 2016.
Brittany
Surrounding ourselves with calmer people is huge! That can go for anything, being around the right people is key.
mylittletablespoon
“…at the end of the day I am the only one with control over how I view what I’ve done to succeed in life.” This. I am constantly marveled at how, when I give up expectations or plans and stop forcing myself to succeed in a certain way…when I let myself just be alive an in the moment…. life has a way of just working out.
Brittany
Isn’t is great? It’s like letting go of the power…has ALL the power!
Heather
I too notice how much I think about how I want to live my life when I’m away from the hustle and bustle.. even if that’s just on a run. This year I will have to learn to be more flexible and less Type A. To just be, as you put it 🙂 I love the idea of using reflection to shape my 2016- thanks for that and Happy New Year xoxo
Brittany
Stepping back to look at the bigger picture from the outside really helps calm my soul. 🙂
Jade
Happy new year! I’m still figuring out my life as an adult now, but it’s weird. I totally forgot about 401k’s and all that… I hope 2016 treats you kindly!
Brittany
It’s never too late to sign up for one! 😉
BabetaRuns
Yes, yes, yes!!!
I have gotten my hands on this AMAZING video from an ultra marathoner Billy Yang… and I’m sure you WILL love it too:
And this is exactly what I’ll be doing in 2016… surrounding myself by good people and by people who inspire me.
Happy New Year from Praha!!
Brittany
Oh wow, what a GREAT video. Thank you for sharing!
BabetaRuns
I knew this would be “up your stream”… It’s up my stream BIG TIME! 🙂
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
You know there’s no rule which says you can only come to Cleveland once in 2016. You could come before and after the tomato comes….just sayin.’
I love the vacation mindset.
Brittany
I like the way you speak pretty lady.
stateeats
Beautiful words Britt! Happy New Year to you. Looking forward to most fun posts from you in 2016- Kat
Brittany
Thank you! I’m ready for 2016!
Melanie
I LOVE this post Brittany! I’ve been doing some deep thinking lately too and am looking for ways to really enjoy and cherish life. I’m hoping to start running again. It’s always the best therapy for me and I always come back refreshed. I think I need a vacation too!
Brittany
Running keeps me on track, I keep falling somewhat off of it, but I know it’s always there to come back to! When I run I eat less junk too.
Amy
Why is it that I always feel like we’re twins?? I feel SO much self-imposed stress from my job too, and I’m horrible at trying to manage it. I usually try to outrun it instead, but my stamina only lasts for so long… Your post is a great reminder of what I need to focus on this year too. Especially the taking more risks and helping more people part! 🙂 Hope you’re enjoying sunny AZ!
Brittany
We really are one in the same. 😝 I hope we both find that balance this year!
Sophie33
Happy 2016 to you too filled with tons of joy, great long walks, fun & much exploring! 🙂
This was such a cool post too! x
Brittany
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it, I’ve already got two hikes and a great bike ride under my belt!
Sophie33
ahaaaa! Good for you! x
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Vacations are amazing at giving us a different perspective, and I absolutely -love- your approach to avoiding the stress of the status quo and 9-5 mindset. That’s actually one of the reasons I decided to go self-employed, and while it’s been a tonne of work getting everything up and running, it’s nice knowing I only have to answer to myself.
Happy New Year, Brittany. Here’s to an amazing 2016 ❤
Brittany
Being self employed can be more work than other jobs, but in a good way! Definitely takes discipline. One day I see that kind of job in my future.
Jim Brennan
Life is a balance, and you are managing well. Climb more mountains, Brittany, and oh, isn’t the dessert enchanting. Happy New Year. Have a healthy and adventurous 2016.
Brittany
I do enjoy my brief trips to the dessert…but I could never leave the lush green of the northwest! Happy new year to you too Jim! 🙂
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
This is kind of the battle I have with myself daily. I love saving and focusing on my future, but I also love living in the now so a lot of my money goes on travelling.
Brittany
Spending money on travels is one of the BEST ways to spend in my opinion!!
whostardis
here here! vacation really puts things in perspective for sure. you really took some great pictures while you were in arizona as well im really impressed!
Brittany
Still taking them!! I’m here for two weeks. Yahoooo.
whostardis
awesome! cant wait to see more!!
The Vegan 8
Awesome post girl! I love how vacations and accomplishments make me feel too. I feel the most joy with my daughter and also in keeping busy and getting stuff done. I’m not one to want to just sit around, I feel like a loser otherwise. Getting stuff done makes me feel accomplished. I love that I’m able to be at home with my daughter everyday and never miss a thing. That’s more important than anything.
Brittany
I love that you’re able to be there with your daughter. My mom was able to be home with my sister and I A LOT while we were growing up, and it makes a HUGE difference!
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
I love your 2016 goal! I completely agree that we have the power to shape our attitudes and thoughts, and in effect, our lives. I love surrounding myself with positive, motivating people because I really believe that we become more like the people we hang out with…and I want to always be positive and motivating myself!
Brittany
YES, the people in our circles are ideal for positive vibes. Great addition.
Kayse
Love love love love this post! You’re amazing, Britt!
Brittany
Thank you friend, as are you! ❤
Luv What You Do
I love reflecting on the year past and looking forward to the excitement of the year ahead! Which is why your post title totally caught my attention!
Being an adult can be over rated but also being a cool adult focused on living life to its fullest can be empowering. Happy 2016!!!
Brittany
Yes!!! So far the year is just rockin and Rollin!