Hello sweet friends! The year (and the decade) is coming to a close, so I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect. I think it’s so important to sit down periodically and think about where we’ve been so that we can create a plan for the future. When I think back to what my life was like in 2010, I can’t help but laugh. That sweet, sheltered 16-year-old girl had no clue how truly incredible and fulfilling her life would turn out to be.
I feel so far removed from when cheer practice and choir rehearsals were the biggest things on my plate. To be honest, the only thing that’s really stayed the same is that I still drive the same car! (But looking to change that in 2020 haha). Since I was 16, I have gone through so many major life changes, and that girl just feels like a stranger to me now. I’ve graduated high school, decided on my career, graduated college, and met my husband.
Just this year, we traveled the world together, built a house, and have worked really hard to make it a home. We feel so much gratitude surrounding the fact that we were able to become homeowners of a brand-new home this year, and recently I came across the photos I decided to use for this post. Prior to the drywall going up, we took permanent markers and wrote our favorite verses on the framing throughout the entire house. It’s fun to know that those messages are there as long as this house is standing, whether we live here or not.
We closed on our house and moved in on December 28, 2018, and a few days later we rang in 2019 on the floor of our living room surrounded by pizza boxes, champagne bottles, and our closest friends. We had no furniture, not even a bed, but we were delighted by the fact that our rent payment had turned into a mortgage payment, and the space we lived in was 100% ours to customize. We’ve taken our time figuring out exactly how we want to do that, but my goal is to finish a few spaces up in the next few months I can’t wait to share them with you!
Speaking of goals… I also wanted to share a few that I have for the upcoming year! I always love reading other people’s goals, and I feel like if I write these down and tell people about them, they are more likely to happen. Some are personal, some are professional, and some are just plain fun!
1. Read at least 1 book every month:
I used to be an avid reader. It was one of my favorite pastimes, but pharmacy school sort of ruined that for me. After reading pages and pages in order to study for an exam, the last thing I wanted to do was read more just for fun. I plan on using the time before bed as my reading time instead of scrolling my phone so that, hopefully, it’ll become a habit and improve my sleep hygiene in the process.
2. Take and pass the BCPS Exam:
This is a big scary one… For all my non-pharmacy folks, the BCPS stands for “Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist”. It’s credentialing that can be earned after passing a really difficult exam. Basically, those extra letters after your name tell others in the field that you really know your stuff. It also shows that you took the initiative to go the extra mile and study for an exam. It’s comparable to a physician getting “board certified” in their specialty (internal medicine, emergency medicine, cardiology, etc.) I’m also hoping it helps out with my next goal which is…
3. Get a “big girl” job:
This is another big scary one because it’s going to be a major change, and I have no clue where I’ll end up. Thankfully, I’ve worked my hiney off the last two years during residency, and I think it makes me pretty competitive. Plus, getting a BCPS certification won’t hurt either! I graduate from residency in about 6 months so I’ll be starting a serious job hunt sooner rather than later. I know it’ll work out, and I know that God has a plan, but WOW. It’s hard not to wonder how things will end up on the job front.
4. Pay off my student loans:
I am so SO close to paying off my student loans, and I plan to have them off my plate for good by the end of this year! It’ll be one less thing to worry about, and I’d love to have them paid off less than 3 years after I graduated. The fact that it’s possible is so exciting!
5. Save up for a new car:
After I pay off my student loans, I would also love to purchase my very first car. Like I mentioned earlier, I am still driving my 2006 Ford Focus that I learned to drive in. I have mixed emotions about getting rid of her. Sure, she’s paid for and gets great gas mileage, but she’s also becoming less and less reliable. I have a list of cars I want to test drive over, but I plan on taking my time to figure out what I really want. The prospect of a new vehicle is such a fun idea!
6. Set aside 1 hour each morning to work on my goals:
Whether it’s working out, reading, spending time being creative, or studying for the BCPS, I plan on waking up an hour earlier each day to work on something that pushes me one step closer to my goals. By the end of the year, that’s a guaranteed 365 hours dedicated to reaching them!
I definitely have more goals and plans for 2020, but I think I’ll keep those to myself! Now, it’s your turn! What are your big plans as you step into the new year? I’d love for you to share some in the comments so we can keep each other accountable. As always, thanks for being here and reading along. I wish you the very happiest New Year!
Cheers,
Laura
