Just like that, we’re saying goodbye to yet another year. It really feels like as I get older the years get shorter. While time is quickly passing, I’m doing everything in my power to be present and embrace the moments as they come and go. But before we welcome in a fresh, new, exciting year, I feel it’s so important to reflect on what is coming to a close.
2019 was quite the year. So many amazing, challenging and exciting things happened- and I’m grateful for them all.
Personally,
We witnessed friends become husband and wife and others become mom and dad. We celebrated 30th birthdays with the best groups of friends and family anyone could ask for.
I got to go on some amazing adventures with my husband and make memories that I will cherish forever. We were awarded the opportunity to go to the NCAA Men’s Final Four and explore a new city and watch a game we both love. We traveled “across the pond” to Ireland for an amazing week of meeting new people, drinking new drinks and eating all the seafood we could. We saw rolling pastures, castles and the Cliffs of Moher, that no picture will ever do justice. A trip that will truly be hard to top.
My husband and I celebrated our first year of marriage and I reminded myself the need to strive to be the best wife possible because I can’t even put into words what his love means to me. He makes me want to be better. A better wife, a better person and a better friend. His overflowing love and patience help me realize how much work I still have to do on myself… not that he would ever say that I need to, but I’m thankful that his love can help me see it without him ever having to say a word.
I took strides in overcoming my “fitness anxiety” and learned the value of giving myself time to rest and being okay with not hitting that “motivating” (annoying) pink active calorie goal on my watch. I found the power of intuitive eating and giving myself grace on what I eat. I finished my third half marathon and had the best training buddy. She finished her FIRST half (in freezing rain) and dedicated it to her sweet little girl. A badass mama, if you ask me!
I also got to see my all time favorite- Mariah Carey (because, duh) with my sister, one of the firsts to introduce me to her back in the early 90’s. I sang (okay, I screamed) the entire concert and it was perfect. For days after this concert, I really felt like my life was complete.
But then I snapped out of it. Because I realized that my life is not, in fact, complete and that there are a lot more things I need to do in this life… things I will likely do while singing Mariah.
Like crushing and setting more professional goals.
2019 was another year spent watching women become mamas, and families being redefined. I supported 12 women this year and conquered my some of my longest, trying labors yet. Those long, tough labors came with the sweet reminder of what an amazing supportive husband I have. From making me coffee, packing me snacks and spouting all the words of love and encouragement as I rushed out the door to making dinners, rubbing my feet and spouting that same love when I get home hours (or days) later. Every labor I attended, long or short, reignited my passion and pursuit of supporting women full-time.
On the flipside, I endured some of my toughest times at the full-time job. I spent too many months feeling beaten down, stuck and defeated. While none of that felt good in the slightest, it taught me a lot. I learned how to professionally articulate my feelings of frustration while staying true to myself and standing up for what I believe in. I also was reminded of the power of prayer. Knowing I somehow needed to make a change, I prayed that the path be made clear… as always, God delivered.
And so I go into this new year, this new decade, with a new job opportunity. One where I get to showcase my strengths of supporting people… and to be my clean, particularly tidy self. One of the best parts? This new opportunity I will give me more time to serve even more women and families.
With the lessons learned and connections I’ve made in 2019, I have no doubt that my passion project doula business will thrive in 2020. New and exciting services to be offered, more knowledge to be gained and shared and more women to support.
2023 © Erin Brier Birthing