2017 Reflection – What a year! :)

As I sit in my new home staring out the window at the fresh falling snow as it covers the naked trees, I can’t help but smile. How did I get here?

To say 2017 flew by is an understatement. I honestly have no idea where the time went! Do you?!

Today, I sat down with my journal and began to reflect on the past year. I can not believe just how much took place in the 365 days. To describe my year in five words I’d have to say ADVENTURE, STRENGTH, LOVE, COURAGE & CHANGE!

This year was FULL of change. Every time my anxiety began to settle the next wave of change was just around the corner. It truly was a roller coaster of emotions and many life lessons!

It’s hard to believe I spent time in 6 different countries on 4 different continents this year!

After traveling around the world and meeting some of the happiest people I have ever met, selling coconuts on the side of the road… I knew I wanted what they had. I want to be that happy while at work. I mean, we spend most of our lives working.. so we need to be genuinely happy!

So, I changed jobs, twice! Leaving the ‘secure, proper job on paper’ because it felt right and not because it ‘made sense’. If there’s one thing I’ve learned… life is far too short to settle. I took this huge leap to focus on my Health Coaching business because I know the happiness I have found in truly helping others to find joy in their life and feeling comfortable in their bodies is worth the risk!

My greatest lessons this year were to follow my heart, listen to my intuition, and GO WITH THE FLOW as we are not in control… the universe sometimes has other plans!

The experiences I had in 2017 will be forever cherished and I will begin to build on these life lessons and jump into 2018 with a whole new perspective of life. THANK YOU to each and every person who made my year what it was!

MY YEAR IN REVIEW…..

PARIS, FRANCE – April 2017
In the spring I had the pleasure of visiting Europe for my first time with a few of my favourite people! The best part… exploring the city and trying to navigate without data or wifi & trying to communicate with locals who spoke ZERO English! Our trip was full of laughter and learning! I must say… the FOOD WAS UNREAL. Especially since I was indulging in croissants, crepes and bakes goods WITHOUT ANY of the usual symptoms I get in Canada for eating these very same things! Hmmmm… kind of makes you wonder what’s in our western food hey!?

HEALTHY HORMONES WORKSHOP – May 2017
I hosted a workshop & cooking demonstration for 8 amazing women! This was my first workshop outside of my home and it went great! Such an awesome learning experience. I was on cloud nine after getting out of my comfort zone and taking action towards my goals!

TORONTO PRO SHOW: Meeting Buff Bunny! – June 2017
The pro show is always one of my favourite weekends! This year I had the pleasure of meeting many of the girls I follow on Instagram which was super exciting and great to hear their stories of how they got started in the fitness industry.

BOUGHT OUR FIRST HOME – July 2017 <3
The excitement and stress of buying a new home was quite the experience! However, it was definitely worth every second!! Everyday when I drive down the lane way, I smile and think “I can’t believe this is my home”. Who would have thought – city girl turned country!

BLISSFUL & IN LOVE RETREAT – August 2017
This summer I had the pleasure of returning to the Blissful & In Love Retreat hosted by two incredible women that I strongly look up too. They have inspired me to follow my bliss and create the life I dream of. I was truly honoured to attend as a mentor and be able to spend my weekend in the kitchen cooking nutritious meals for 10 amazing women who had all come together to work on ourselves!

BACKPACKING ADVENTURE BEGINS – September 2017
In January of 2017 we had a crazy idea… WHAT IF we took a leave from work, stepped away from our day to day lives and ventured out into the world to find out what it’s like outside of our little bubbles here in Ontario, Canada.
Just like that, the planning began! I was shocked when my boss granted a leave at work! Not only did she grant me a leave, she was also one of my biggest supporters constantly reminding me why I was going on this trip in times when I got a little nervous.
I think the anticipation leading up to the trip was all part of the fun and learning process. SO in early September… ONE WEEK after I moved into my new home (that part definitely wasn’t planned LOL) my backpack was packed…. and I was headed off on an adventure of a life time!

FIRST STOP: HAWAII

SECOND STOP: VIETNAM

NEXT STOP: AUSTRALIA – October 2017

NEXT STOP: CAMBODIA

THAILAND – November 2017 

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS <3 December 2017
I arrived back at my country oasis just in time for the snow to start falling. I truly thought I was going to be miserable after such an amazing experience over seas. However, instead I see things in a new light…. beauty all around me! The amount of gratitude I feel for both the people in my life and the place I call home is beautiful. I LOVE watching the snow fall and the trees glisten. I also have been getting back into home renovations which has made my heart incredibly happy! There is something so satisfying about changing a house to make it your HOME!

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE LIFE LESSONS 2017….. I AM READY FOR 2018!
If you want to read more about my travels and experiences overseas… be sure to check out my previous blog posts!

Thanks for all the love and support this year! I truly appreciate it!
xo

Cassidy