…..of 2016
Another holiday down, with one more to wrap up 2016. I don’t know why, but it really grinds my gears when people complain every.single NYE about how terrible the past year was. Were you alive? Were you breathing? Were you employed? Unless you were literally struggling to survive (in which I will pray for you) then I don’t want to hear it.
Be thankful, and quit whining about it. #saltyoldwoman
Christmas in my house was magical, per usual. Calm, quiet, and casual. I went for a nice run, made some pancakes, and added a few more items to my collection of things.
Seen on my run.
In a previous post I discussed how I don’t really like receiving items for Christmas, but because I’m blessed with gracious family members the items come regardless. So I make things easy and list out what I could use. Let’s see if my list made a difference.
- #1 REI Gift Card – Success, thanks mom.
- #2 Mountain Ring – No success. Womp
- #3 Wood iWatch Band – Success, patiently waiting for its arrival
- #4 Glamping – SUCCESS
- #5 Whole Foods Gift Card – No success. I will starve.
- #6 Subaru Outback – No success. Toyota Camry prevails!
- #7 New Birkenstocks – No success, I was hopeful for this one.
- #8 A new iPhone – Success…almost. Working on this one.
- #9 Mountain Earrings – Success.
- #10 Trip to Ireland – SUCCESS!!!!
I was totally blowing smoke into the air when I wrote Ireland as a wish list item, and then decided it was time to stop talking about it and just DO it. So I bought myself a trip to Ireland. Santa ain’t got shit on me. May 2017 my friend and I will embark on a 10 day Irish road trip (pray for us, opposite side of the road driving) starting in Dublin, and driving a makeshift circle throughout the country.
I can’t contain myself.
Me.
2016 was the year I discovered life is much too short to settle for what you don’t enjoy. I haven’t been living my “truth” (you know, those times when your gut tells you it doesn’t want to do something and you ignore it and do it anyway) and the universe has a way of slapping you in the face as many times as possible until you wake up and realize it.
2017 will be the year where my gut, my head, and my heart all become very close. No more ignoring the inner voice, no more doing what others think is right, and no more waiting for the perfect moment. The perfect moment is now. So do that thing you’ve always wanted to do. Eat the damn cookie already.
I don’t know what 2017 holds, but that’s the beauty of life. Instead of trying to figure it all out I’ve become comfortable sitting back and letting the universe take me where it wants to. Apparently that means a trip to Ireland, and I’m OK with that. Maybe it means a new job, maybe it means more travel, maybe it means meeting new friends.
I’m open, and trusting.
I need more exploring in 2017 than I had in 2016. More mountains, more cities, more life. The highest peak I’ve hit the last month was a mere 520′ atop the Space Needle. Starbucks gifted me a free trip to the top, but nothing compares to the top of a mountain.
I’m ready to say goodbye to 2016, but I don’t dare talk ill of it. Every single moment we are given is an opportunity to learn and to grow. Without the hard times we would have no contrast for all the good times. Without the pain we would not know pleasure. Without the failures we would not have success, and without 2016 we would not have another year of life.
Each NYE for the last few years I’ve made it a point to volunteer somewhere. Typically my Arizona family and I help package meals for children in other countries, but I didn’t make it to Arizona this year. Instead I’ll be hanging out with some of my Starbucks family members making meals at a local food bank. It doesn’t matter what you do, big or small, but I find doing something for someone else is a great way to ring in the new year.
I’m too old for that disco ball drunken dancing nonsense kids do at midnight.
See you all in 2017. Go do something nice for someone else.
Q: What was the best part of your holiday?
Blissfulbritt 
68 thoughts on “The Last Post”
katalysthealth
You are going to the land of my people?! TAKE ME WITH YOU!!
And as for the people who complain about the year or past years, I’m with you, I say we slap them all up in the face. People are just so self-centered sometimes and forget to look at the bigger picture. We miss out on all the things we take advantage of – do you realize there are people in other countries who are oppressed? Who are starving? Who don’t have any rights?! THAT would make for a bad year.
Happy New Year girl! ❤
Brittany
THANK YOU! That is exactly my point. We have it so much better than we realize.
Atheria
How is it self centered that the news this past year has shown non-stop horrors?! 2016 has been horrid, and not because I’m shallow. Turn on the news.
Brittany
I agree some terrible things have happened, but I think where Kat and I were going with this was that there are so many things people complain about in their own lives that don’t compare to these things you’ve mentioned. For some 2016 was indeed horrendous and because of that I feel those that claim the year was awful for superficial reasons need their priorities checked. I choose to avoid the news because it’s negativity is not something I want in my life.
Gingernutty
I just wanted to say how much I love reading your blog. I have given up on reading quite a few over the last few months, but yours is one that I do look forward to reading. I’m from the UK and driving on the left side is not that scary 🙂 but I hope you enjoy Ireland. I’ve only been to Northern Ireland but I’m sure you’ll love it! Looking forward to your adventures in 2017. Caz x
Brittany
Your comment just made my morning, thank you! I cannot wait to share my adventure with the world (my little world at least) and thank you for reading! ❤
Your Vacation Gurus
Good for you!!
Brittany
Yasss! 🤗
Angela
YAHHHH You are going to Ireland!
I am with you, people just love to complain.. about nothing, be grateful to have had the gift of another year!!
Happy New Year!!!
Brittany
Truth!
Debra Chan
Happy New Year🎉🏃
Sent from my iPad
>
Brittany
Thank you Debra, same to you!
Rachael @ Catch Me If You Can
ahhh man I just planned a trip to Ireland for a friend of mine!!! You know Im a travel agent right and can do all that for you right 😉 but SO EXCITING!!! Ireland is beautiful and you are going to take some amazing pictures!!! I dont like how everyone cries and moans about a year either. 2016 happened not all of it great but most of it was. im always glad for another year on this earth good or bad.
Brittany
WHAAAAAT!? I had no idea you were a travel agent, HA! NOTED!
Rachael @ Catch Me If You Can
yes ma’am, officially started doing it professionally in July! if you need any help you know who to call 😀 i cannot wait for your amazing adventure!!
Heather Patton at Afternoon Glow
Happy New Year!! The best part of my holiday lately has been helping my nephew put together whatever lego set we bought him. He’s getting better at it (he’s almost 6), but sometimes needs help with those pesky little pieces!
I’m one of those for which 2016 kinda sucked (yes, I’m alive and breathing…but not employed…boo), but I’m looking forward to what 2017 has to offer.
Please don’t let it be snow…please no more snow. 😉
Brittany
Agreed, please no more snow! Keep your mind open to the job, it will come! In the mean time enjoy the time you have to spend with Lego sets, I’m jealous!
P
Yay congrats on your upcoming trip to Ireland! I’m sure you’re extremelllly excited! I may actually be going to Europe around that time to see a cousin I haven’t seen in years…plans haven’t been set in stone yet but I am excited about it 🙂
I honestly think 2016 has been a good year! There were rough patches (like there will always be…) but in comparison to many past years, I’d say it was pretty decent haha!
Brittany
Good! Optimistic eyes are better than spiteful eyes.
danaelizabethx
Awesome! Can’t wait to read about ur trip to Ireland!!! Glad u had a nice Christmas!! 🙂
Brittany
Thank you!
rootchopper
Having my daughter home for a few days. Tomorrow it’s back to the empty nest. I am something like 3/4s Irish. My peeps hail from Castlebar, County Mayo. Keep an eye out for rootchoppy looking people. Thanks for keeping me entertained this year when I wasn’t out riding all over creation. I really look forward to this blog. Cheers!!
Brittany
Aww, so glad you were able to spend some time with your daughter! My dad’s side of the family comes from Ireland too, so I’ve got a tad in me! Thank you for being a loyal reader. 🙂
Ellie
A bunch of my friends have gone to Ireland and had a blast! You do know they don’t have peanut butter there right? 😉
Brittany
Oh hell, looks like I’m bringing five jars with me! Hahaaaah.
wanderwolf
Cool tradition, great gift haul, nice notes about not whining about a year…
Ireland! So cool! I’ve been wanting to go to England for ages. I should just book it.
Happy New Year
Brittany
You should…you really should! 😘
chape
Happy New Year!!
Brittany
Thank you, you too!
stateeats
IRELAND!!!???? You go girl!! Wishing you all the best blogging in 2017. Happy New Year!!
– Kat
Brittany
Thank you! Can’t. Freaking. Wait!
Allie Zottola
I am so with you on not complaining about the year! So much good happens each year, but people tend to focus on the negative. Crazy. Anyways. IRELAND! Yay! I am so pumped to hear about your upcoming trip!
Brittany
No space for negativity!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I puffy heart you.
I’m so glad you’re going to Ireland and you have no ill will towards 2016. I’m sick of hearing that nonsense too. Shit happens, we move and we go on. Plus 2016 brought me my petite bebe so I have nothing but thankfulness for the year.
Brittany
Yasss 2016 was GOOD to you on the tiny human front. Sleepless nights and all. One day you will look back on those tired nights and laugh over a glass of wine with your 21 yr old daughter.
An Unrefined Vegan
Ireland!! Woohooo! How fun and awesome!
As far as the 2016 doom and gloomers, I refer to Joan Rivers. “You’re alive. You have friends. You love what you do. Shut up and get off your ass.”
Brittany
Ha! I love that, she was a wise woman. Thanks for sharing. ❤
Melanie
Oh I love this post! I love what you said about not complaining about life because we always have so many things to be thankful for. I also love that you try to volunteer every NYE too. That is amazing! And HOW COOL is that that you’re going to Ireland!! I hope you have a wonderful time! Happy New Year!!!
Brittany
Thank you friend! It’s going to be a wonderful year
Angie
Congrats on the trip to Ireland! Let me know if you’d like any tips or suggestions — or you could check out my posts on what we did as well if it helps. 🙂
Also, what do you consider a mountain ring? I have a ring that is specifically used for when I go hiking or for outdoor activities.
Favorite thing about the holidays for me this year was just relaxing!
Happy New Year, Brittany! It’s going to be a good one!!
Brittany
Oh yes! I’ll check out your posts! A mountain ring was literally a ring with a mountain shape, for looks not for efficiency haha. I posted a photo of it in that gift guide.
Angie
Oh, yes…now I remember. 🙂
kathy @ more coffee, less talky
YAAAASSS! do it NOW. life will go on anyway so might as well make the best of it! there’s no “right time” for anything. happy new year!
ps – i passed out wayyyy before 11pm because old lady bedtimes.
Brittany
I passed out at 9. I win at life. Haha
Mackenzie
Great perspective, Britt. I loved reading this. Hope this next year to come for you is absolutely wonderful ❤
Brittany
Thank you! I hope for you as well! 🙂
ASipoftheCity
Oh my gosh girl! SO excited for you! Ireland is gorgeous (you clearly know this, because you’re going) and I’m definitely going to be drooling over all of your posts.
Brittany
I only have an idea of how gorgeous from photos and videos, I anticipate getting my socks blown off after seeing things in real life!
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
Love, love, LOVE this post!! I am with you, I am all about being thankful and reflecting on the good things instead of harping on anything negative at the end of each year. And YAY for Ireland!! I got to visit there in 2016 and it was so much fun!
Brittany
I’m so excited!
dave379
Yay for the greater gut, head, and heart alignment! And more mountains and trips and everything. Family time was the best holiday part for me. All the best for 2017!!
Brittany
Great answer! Happy new year!
SincerelyLily
I read somewhere about having an empty jar, and then at the end of each day, write your happiest moment on a piece of paper, fold it, and place in jar. Then throughout the year, when you need a pick me up, you can pick out one of your happy moments and read it. Or read some on NYE and celebrate all the good the past year was – your beginning of this post reminded me of this.
ANYWAYSYS- I should have sent you a whole foods card so you don’t starve. UM ireland sounds AMAZING-BALLS. I’m already super jelly and so excited for you! I recently watched ‘Leap Year’ and it was horrible (like so bad) BUT Ireland looked amazing in it (if it was even filmed there, who knows).
Random side note – you should read ‘paris letters’ by Janice MacLeod. Before your Ireland trip ! Actually I should find a copy and mail it……..
LOVE YOU MISS YOU NIAGARA LESBIAN LOVE.
Brittany
I’ve read that jar trick! I always think it’s a good plan, but never do it myself. Good reminder! I have thought about reading that book since WAYY back when you blogged about it! Or shared it on IG, or talked about it…it was somewhere with your social media I can’t remember where. It sounded so magical! I misssss you oodles, we need a Niagara reunion soon. ❤
Diane @ Life of Di.
Love this post. I have had similar thoughts in regards to all the criticism surrounding 2016. If you’re healthy, breathing, have a roof over your head + food – BE GRATEFUL. I look at people in Allepo and my heart just aches. Can you imagine not being able to protect your children or family members? We so often take for granted the many blessings we have in America.
Brittany
YES, this is a perfect example of what I meant. It’s such a blessing to have the luxuries we have.
Josh dV
Raises hand…”I’ll eat the cookie!”
Brittany
You make me proud.
Josh dV
I can’t fight instinct.
bakingwitht
Hey there, if you need any tips/places to eat/good coffee spots in Ireland let me know, you picked a great time to come here too, lovely weather in May 😄
Brittany
Oh my goodness, I will keep this in mind thank you!!
GiGi Eats Celebrities
Come back to Cali and I will buy you all the WF you want. I never want you to starve. Better yet. I will be getting my ass out there in May… And I will make sure you don’t starve then too! 😉
thetealeaflets
Love these sentiments. I hope you have a fab time in Ireland.
Brittany
Thank you, I cannot wait!
Heather
Giants Causeway. That’s all I’ve got for you. Happy (late) New Year!!! This is going to be the best one yet ❤
Brittany
YASS. Thank you!
Mellie Dee
I agree … if we are alive and kickin’ we have so much to be thankful for! Reason I do my year in recap … so I can see so much good that has occurred! Ireland! Eeep! I’ve always wanted to go! I cannot wait to see your recap of the trip! Maybe then I can show it to the boy and get him to go with me … maybe. I want birkenstocks. I don’t own any but I’ve heard great things about them!
Brittany
Oh man, birkenstocks are the best ever.