Goodbye 2015. Hello 2016

It's crazy how fast a year goes by. Doesn't seem like that long ago that I was reading over how I did in 2014 and writing new goals for 2015. 2015 has been a pretty good year. The biggest disappointment of 2015 is that I gained all of my weight back that I had lost in 2013. I also didn't find love... again. So guess what are going to be part of my goals for 2016? ha ha.

Again, I do my year in review on my blogaversary, but I will touch on some highlights of 2015.

Had a couple of callings. First Fireside co-chair which I thought was dumb and made them get rid of it and then they put me as Communications Co-chair which I still am.

Welcomed a new niece into the family

Saw another wonder of the World - Christ Redeemer Statue in Brazil

Saw wonder of the Natural World - Rio Harbor (not sure why that is one)
Saw a wonder of the NEW Natural World - Iguazu Falls

Went scuba diving somewhere new - The Philippines & Bali. Dove with Whale Sharks and did a ship wreck dive!

Went on TONS of new hikes this summer and visited a new National Park - Canyonlands.

Didn't visit any new states, but I did visit 3 new countries - The Philippines, Indonesia & Brazil

My Instagramming has grown a lot. I have gained a lot of followers and been featured many times on different Instagram accounts which has been kind of cool since I love photography and trying to improve and inspire others to travel and explore.


So, what do I want to accomplish in 2016?

First things first, I need to lose the weight that I put back on. I haven't decided what method I am going to take to accomplish this, but I need to do it. Not even just the weight, but I would like to be in the best physical shape of my life. I started going to the gym regularly again in November and started lifting weights, so I am hoping that habit continues.

Like every year, I want to visit at least one new state and one new country. I didn't visit a new state this last year, so I really have to this year. Maybe check off 2 to make up for last year.

Of course I also want to scuba dive somewhere new.

I put work on my spirituality last year. Well... I am putting it on again this year. I'm still struggling. I did improve a little last year... but not as much as I was hoping to, so it is going back on the list. I need regular temple attendance and other small daily things that I have gotten out of the habit of doing.

Maybe this will be my year for love? I hope so. I won't hold my breathe on that one though.

One of my goals last year was decluttering my life and getting rid of stuff and freeing up space. I feel like I did really well at that last year, but I am going to continue with that this year too. Do you even get to a point where there is nothing left to throw away or get rid of? I don't know, but I want to get there.

I felt like I also did really well on my goal to reach out and be a better friend and spend time with people I care about AND my goal to take my nieces and nephews out for their birthday's. I did with all of them except for Lori's kids... which is a bummer. I wish they lived closer. Jamie just happened to be in town around both of her kids birthday's... and of course I can't take the SUPER young ones out yet. I want to continue doing that though. I love having one on one time with them. I have also loved having one on one time with my Grandma. I visited both of my sisters that live out of state... so I did pretty good, but this is something I always want to improve on and try better. Good relationships always take time and effort. So worth it.

Another one of my goals from last year that I rocked at was visiting a new National Park and doing lots of weekend adventures. I went above and beyond on this goal and did something outside EVERY weekend the entire spring and summer and fall and am still doing it. That has made a HUGE difference with my year. It has made it a very fun year and I have been able to see so much this way. I'm going to continue this one into this next year and add visit a new National Park to the list again.

I love all of the goals I set last year and want to continue them into this year as well... but as far as new goals for this year... I can't think of much besides trying something new (new hobby or something) and doing something that is out of my comfort zone that will help me grow as a person. I think that is it.

I do love starting a new year and the idea of starting fresh. New beginnings are always great. It's nice to hope for a great year ahead and you somewhat have control over that... so that is what making resolutions is all about right? Improving yourself and taking control of the direction you want your life to go. It's great.

I will leave with my 2015 best 9 instagram pics. I don't usually follow the trends that everyone else is doing, but this one was fun to look back on. The one the website generated for me based on the most likes on Instagram were all recent pics because that is when I have received a lot more followers... so

So I made my own for a better review of my year in 9 pictures. Happy New Year! Here's to a great 2016!