Hey friends! You’ve probably heard the news by now, but Tokyo was recently selected as the host city for the 2020 olympics. For anyone who is a newbie here, I’ve been living in Tokyo for the past 14 months and this Olympics business has been an exciting discussion around these parts. Walking to work, I saw posters and memorabilia everywhere, reminding us that Tokyo was in the running for this unique honor. Seeing those posters made me feel this weird emotion, like I was part of something special, even if I wasn’t really part of it, you know? A day after the announcement, I got a newspaper in my mailbox with a giant picture of people screaming on it (like the one above…doesn’t it just make you so happy?) and couldn’t help but feel excited and teary-eyed, even though I don’t expect to be living in Tokyo once 2020 rolls around. But then I looked again.
“2020!”
Tokyo Olympics? No. All I could see was that fat ol’ date stamped on my paper. It still sounds distant, but the fact that there is now something in my 2020 planner makes it feel so much closer, real, and not quite so intangible.
After hearing the news, I told myself that no matter where I was in 2020, I would come back to Tokyo to bask in the years of memories I’ve made in Japan. I’d relive them while watching one of the most incredible competitions in the world. Yeah! Sign me up, I might as well just buy my ticket now! But after a little more consideration, I realized that by the time 2020 hits, I’ll be 31 years old. Holy hell? I might have a husband! Kids! A permanent job! Will I even be able to get my tush back here in seven years time?
It honestly kind of scared me, thinking of the future in that way, as something that can both rest in my planner and yet is still almost a decade down the line. I even spent time considering that this very year is almost over. How did that happen? Didn’t 2013 just fly by? And don’t I say this every year? But thinking about the semi-close future also helped me to consider my semi-close past. Today, I want to look back on 2013 and share some of the turning points I felt and things I accomplished. 2020 may be on its way, but if 2013 is any testament, those seven years in between are going to be filled to the brim with memories and life changing moments.
Some things that meant something this year:
1. January: I took the Creative Courage eCourse. It was my first eCourse and I absolutely loved it. It reinvigorated my creative life and I even…
2. February: …Started the Nectar Collective. I had wanted to start a creative online space for some time, but could never really picture its purpose in my mind. But after taking Creative Courage, I just felt brave and free enough to not need all of the answers. Now, I’m discovering them little by little and I’ve realized that’s often the best route to take.
3. March: I quit a job I hated. I was a teacher at a brand new start-up school, working many unpaid overtime hours for bosses that made me feel worthless. Enough was enough, so one day I quit. The very next day I was offered a higher paying job for half the hours. Funny how those things work out sometimes.
4. April: Started my new job and GOT A DOG. Getting my dog, Monja, was enough of an accomplishment for the entire year. He has made me feel more purposeful, responsible, silly, and happy and I’m eternally grateful to call his fluffy little butt mine.
5. May: Development. There weren’t many “big” things this month, but my little blog got its first 100 followers and I spent my time working on new projects and starting friendships that I know will last far beyond 2013.
6. June: Launched the Snail Mail Collective with Chelsea and Weekly Wishes. It is amazing to see the communities that have formed from these two projects and I am absolutely grateful for each person who participates in them. They have truly enhanced my blogging life.
7. July: Officially launched Bumble + Buzz Design. I’m honored and thrilled with the response its gotten so far and have had so much fun building my own graphic design business.
8. August: Went to Thailand + Launched Everyday Happy with Erika. Keiji and I had an amazing time in Chiang Mai petting elephants, zip-lining through a jungle, and enjoying each other’s company. Erika and I also released our eCourse, Everyday Happy, to the world, and we are so grateful for the response and love we’ve already gotten.
9. September: Still growing. September is still getting off the ground, but already I know it’s going to be a great month. I’ve seen my design business grow, my blog recently reached 1,000 subscribers (say whhaaaa?), and I am feeling more confident than ever to pursue my heart’s mission.
2020 may creep up quickly, and in a flash, 2013 will be slowing to an end, but taking the time to think about everything that happens during those months and days in between is such a solid reminder that time is really what we make of it and how we choose to see it.
What stood out to you in your timeline this year?
What a great year for you business-wise little lady! Great job with all your hard work. And way to stick it to the (Japanese) Man and not stay at that crappy job! You’re awesome and a half, and we can all learn from YOU!
Aww you are so sweet Amanda!! 🙂 Hopefully I’ll be sticking it to the Japanese man again and quitting my current job too 😀 I think my teaching days are ending!
How awesome about the Olympics! I was working in London in 2011, the year before the Olympics were there and I thought about how it would have been so cool to have been there. At that point, I thought I still might have a chance at working the next year, but then I ended up not liking my job and so that summer was my last one.
ANYWAY! Wow, it’s so incredible to think how much has happened in a short amount of time AND how fast this year has gone! This year has been such a standout one for you, it seems! Just looking at all of your accomplishments in list form blows me away! Like even the fact that it was only in May that you got 100 subscribers — and now look what sort of community you’ve built and how many people you’ve connected together! If you haven’t patted yourself on the back already, you totally should because YOU’RE AMAZING!
Sheesh how come the Olympics can’t be in our cities when WE’RE there, huh?! And thank you so much!! This year really has been such a happy one — one where I really feel like I’ve been following my heart more than ever and I love where it’s led me! It all started with that e-course 😉
Seriously! I hope they do Lansing 2024! (Actually, no I don’t because I don’t plan on being here… haha. But I guess we’ll let life decide that one instead.)
And I’m so glad this year has been so wonderful to you — and I hope life keeps treating you well because it seems like your happiness leaps over and extends to mine! 🙂 YAYYYY!
I can’t believe you only started this blog in February! That’s seriously amazing.
Gahh thank you Amanda! I can’t believe it either!
I got stuck on the part where you stated you would be 31 in 2020. I didn’t realize I was so old compared to you, ha ha ha! I just turned 30 in June myself. Regardless of how ancient I now feel, it’s so cool to see how much you have accomplished recently as well as in general. I love your positivity and drive, and it reminds me to think back and remember my own accomplishments and know that although they may seem minor to some, they certainly aren’t minor to me! I want to remember them in 2020 as well as I did then and do today!
HAHA Karly you are too funny and so NOT ancient. I stray away from admitting my age because I think it makes me sound like a big ol’ newb. 30 sounds AWESOME! And thank you! I love your idea of remembering each year’s accomplishments. Certainly a way to see how we’ve grown. 🙂
Congratulations on accomplishing so many amazing things so far this year!
And looking out to 2020…let’s not talk about how old I’m going to be that year, but it’s one of the ones that ends in a zero and those are always the ones that make you blink and think…whoa, Keanu Reeves style. But if you go into it with the right mindset, every year can get more and more amazing. After looking at the things I’ve been able to accomplish as I’ve eased into my thirties, I could happily leave my twenties behind. And the perspective!
I won’t lecture, but I will say that since you’re doing amazing things, I’m pretty confident that you’re going to still be doing amazing things in 2020!
Thank you so much for this reassurance! In some ways I don’t want to “grow up” but in so many MORE ways I am really excited to tack some years onto my life. I love that you mentioned perspective! I can’t wait to view the world from my eyes 10 years from now. Sounds like you already have a wealth of wisdom yourself! 🙂
I wish I could claim wisdom, but I think it really is just a question of perspective! My twenties were all wonder and worry, and my thirties are showing me that I’ve got at least a few things figured out.
umm, I honestly cannot believe that you started in January. wow have you taken off. I’m so happy to have found you! way to rock 2013 so far. I can’t wait to see what else the year has planned for you
Daahhh thank you Nicole! 🙂 I’m SO happy you found me too 🙂 Like, really really happy 🙂
wow girl! you’re so so great! really 🙂 such an inspiration to me! I wish I would know how to manage things that well!
well done you, superwoman! 🙂
haha you are too sweet Vaida! I pretty much have no life sooo there’s that 🙂
and oh, Olympics – this is awesome! I was living in London during Olympics, and the atmosphere was just perfect! I can only imagine how it will go in Tokyo! Lucky you to be there! 🙂
That’s so cool that you were in London then! I won’t be in Tokyo by 2020, but maybe I’ll come back to visit 🙂
You really have had a great year so far, and it’s not even over yet!
and 2020 does seem like it’s close, but honestly… Not close enough. The farthest I am willing to look ahead it the end of my bachelor. No more no less. But I do get the feeling it gives you, life can change so much in such a ‘short’ period of time.
I love that last line. It’s SO true. Makes me think that nothing is set in stone so we just have to follow our passions 🙂
If the Olympics ever come back to Atlanta I will move out of here SO FAST everyone’s heads will spin! I can’t imagine being involved in that traffic all day, everyday! No thank you! I will watch from home! hahaha
You have come such a long way! Look at all the big things you’ve done in 2013! You’re quite talented and I love your positivity! <3
Thank you sweet lady<3 And HAHA you are SO right about the traffic! The trains in Tokyo are already PACKED so I wonder what they're going to do!
I hadn’t heard that Tokyo was chosen for the 2020 Olympics… that’s so awesome! Maybe something for my planner in 2020 too? 🙂 For me, this year is all about healthy eat and getting through Masters… keeping in simple! But so thankful to be finding a bit of time to blog again 🙂
Your year sounds awesome! Good luck finishing up your goals. 🙂 Glad you’ve found blogging time, too! 🙂
Holy cow- it freaks me out that 2020 is coming up so quickly, yet is still so far away! I was just thinking the other day how fast this year is flying by and how many amazing things I’ve had the chance to experience and see- I’ve gotten out more this past year than maybe the last two combined! Here’s to making the rest of 2013 just as memorable. 🙂
That is so great to hear! Sounds like everyone is having a lovely 2013. 🙂
I was studying in London when they won the bid for the 2012 Olympics and we all said we would return and how lovely it would be to see the city celebrate what the worked hard for. As it happened life took its course and while I did not make it to the London for the Olympics I did make it to England in June of that year to see my husbands life long friend get married. So in a way life took me close where I was happy and I watched the Olympics on a TV a few hours away via plane.
This story warms my heart! Almost like it’d be part of a movie. 🙂 I love how sometimes life doesn’t work out, but it just works out in different ways. So beautiful, really!
What achievements you’ve had so far – well done! I love the fact you said holy hell to being 31 in 2020 – I’ll be 41! O.M.G!
hahah I think I need to change my perspective on my age! To be honest, I’d love to be a bit older! I bet 41 comes with a wealth of knowledge and perspective! 🙂
1,000 subscribers in 7 months?? You go, girl! And I love the creative spin you put on this event. It is crazy to think we know anything about 2020 already!!
haha thank you Megan! And that last sentence is exaaaactly what I was thinking when writing this post (but you summarized it perfectly!). Crazy that 2020 already exists in my mind!
Wow that’s amazing. Congratulations on all your achievements. You’re a go-getter and you’re not slowing down any time soon so get ’em 😉
I would definitely love to be in Tokyo for the Olympics but we’ll see how that pans out. 🙂
Thank you so much! And go go go! 🙂
Really interesting post. I was thinking about how I couldn’t come up with many specific turning points in my life for that Blogtember prompt, but the past year has been … unusual, for me, and I may borrow this idea.
As for the Olympics, I’m really just glad they took Madrid out of the running. That would have been an economic disaster. :/
I’m not sure that all of my years have so many turning points, but maybe our turning points are sometimes smaller and less noticeable 🙂
It is scary to think how close 2020 is! Congrats on moving into a better job thsi year too! Great post 🙂
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I know right?! And thank you! 🙂
ok can i get sappy for a second and tell you how happy i am for you!? you have done such amazing things in this blogging community and i know you’re far from finished! the snail mail collective is one of my favorite things each month and i couldn’t think of a better partner in crime ; )
Oh Chelsea I LOVE sappy! 🙂 And I’m so glad you like doing the snail mail collective — I completely agree and I’m so glad it gives me an excuse to chat with you every month 🙂
This is such a wonderful post. I always write an annual review at the start of the next year, but this has reminded me how good it is to look back and think about all you’ve achieved. There is so much good in life if you look for it, so it’s great to make an active choice to take note.
Thank you Amy! I LOVE that last line. It speaks volumes of truth!
Wow … 2020 sounds like its SO FAR OFF … and yet, with as fast as time is flying lately, 6.5/7 years really won’t take that long to get here! Such a crazy thought! My daughter will be turning 11 that year [and I’ll be almost 34!] So crazy to think! But it sounds like 2013 has shaped up to be a great year for you, so far!!
I know right!? It sounds so far, yet it’s NOT. I used to think a year was a long time but now I’m convinced it’s SO SHORT. I can only imagine when 2020 arrives and I’ll look back to this moment and think that it felt like yesterday.
Hi. I’ve just been getting caught up on your posts this evening. I have to say you need to keep that promise to yourself about going back to Tokyo for the Olympics. I’ve got a bit of a sporting background having grown up in a community that hosted a winter Olympics and then being able to attend the winter Olympics in Vancouver with some of the athletes I worked with at that time. Go into it with an open mind because it is a great way to meet people from all over the world at once. It is also a good time to learn about some of the drawbacks about hosting the Olympics (not to sound like downer, but a lot of people are often relocated from their homes like what is happening in Sochi and Brazil and there almost always seems to be a negative economic impact in the long run, so far only the games in Calgary have turned a profit in the long run).
Alright, enough with the ramble. I need to move unto your post about the elephants. (Pictures of cute animals always make me happy !)
Hi Sarah! Thanks for that motivation. I definitely want to come back for the Olympics. Hopefully I’ll be able to make it happen! 🙂
For some reason I was thinking that you must be much older than I am, but really we’re about the same age! I love this post; it is so great to put all of those accomplishments out there by month. You have had a pretty great year. 🙂
Yep, just the crazy old dog lady over here! I’d probably have thought I’m 80 or something, too. 😉 haha just keeding I don’t think you expected me to be THAT old. Anyways, thank you! Listing it month by month really was a nice activity! Definitely motivated me 🙂
Haha, no, not 80. Your pictures make you seem no more than 60, tops! Hehe. Really I think I was thinking late 20s or early 30s because you seem to have so much figured out!
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