This time last year this blog didn’t exist. I was working at a coffee shop in a city I despised, John was only halfway through law school – which he hated – and ‘our life’ as we’d planned it just wasn’t where we’d hoped. The funny thing is, our circumstances were all a result of decisions we had made, whether actively or passively. And despite our careful planning and forethought, we simply weren’t happy with the direction we were headed. We all know what you’re supposed to do in these situations: Remain positive and keep putting one foot in front of the other even if the road ahead appears grim.
But on New Year’s Eve of 2011, we did just the opposite.
As we sat in our third-story one bedroom apartment with our blinds open, listening to the sound of rain tick the sides of our building and fireworks go off in the distance, we talked about our lives: what we wanted, what we didn’t want, what it would take to get there, what was holding us back, and if it was possible to achieve.
The conversation was one of the best we’d had yet, one that honestly changed the trajectory of our lives as a married couple and as individuals possibly forever. That night we decided if we don’t like something we change it, and if there’s something we want to do – be it as small as starting a website or as big as traveling the world – we find a way to do it. From the outside looking in, we look like crazy people sometimes. But if we’re doing what we love, does it really matter?
We’ve realized it’s extremely important to ask yourself – and ask often – what it is you really want to be doing with your day, your week, your life, otherwise you drift, begin reacting instead of enacting, and never really end up where you want to be. If you want something bad enough you can make it happen, you just have to remove the distractions and find a way. After all, if your happiness is at stake is there really any other option?
One year later we are leaps and bounds closer to where we want to be. John graduates from law school in May – thank God; I balance my time between writing, cooking and photography; and we have our eyes set on where we want to be in the next few years. Honestly, it feels amazing, liberating and totally worth raising a glass to. I can’t wait to see what 2013 brings. If we make half the progress we made in 2012, I can only expect it to be awesome.
So cheers to a New Year, and thanks in advance for celebrating with us in 2013. Here’s one seriously fine cocktail to kick things off.
Pomegranate Lime Spritzers
Ingredients
- 3 ounces vodka (3 ounces equals 1 full shot)
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/4 medium lime
- 1/4 cup pomegranate juice*
- 4 ounces tonic water (4 ounces equals ~1/2 cup)
- 3-4 ice cubes
- 1 tsp pomegranate seeds
Instructions
- Mix vodka and sugar, in the serving glass, stirring well until the sugar is mostly dissolved. Alternatively, you could use a shaker for larger quantities.
- Add pomegranate juice and squeeze in your lime. Then add tonic water and stir.
- Drop in ice cubes and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds, garnish with a lime wedge and serve.
Notes
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
Emmanuelle | Desfruitsetdeslegumes says
Thank you so much for this post. I’m in the exact same place you were at the time: last month, I left a job I hated, left a country I didn’t enjoy living in, and moved back to France with my boyfriend, to start it over where we feel we belong. Reading your story just confirmed that I have to keep trusting my guts and to do what I love (I finally dared to create my cooking blog)! Thanks for being so inspiring!
Matt says
Fantastic post, really inspiring and well written :)
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
I agree with the rest of the comments, great post!
It sounds terrible of me, but I get so tired of hearing people complain about their lives, when their the one’s who got themselves there. We all need to take responsibility for the choices we make. I’m glad you and John were able to make positive changes in 2012. I hope you guys have a great 2013 and congrats to John for finishing up law school this year! David still has until May 2014 until he’s done with his computer science degree…ohh…school…:)
Rebecca @This Nest is Best says
So beautifully written and a great reminder for me. Thank you.
Ashley says
Beautiful post sweet friend. In the past year we have really tried to embrace this idea as well. Sometimes easy, sometimes not, it’s a continued work in progress. So happy for you both. There is no doubt you will achieve amazing things! Here’s to 2013!
Lauren @ A Nerd Cooks says
Congratulations on all you’ve accomplished over the past year, and best of luck to you in continuing to achieve whatever you set your sights on in the future! This drink sounds very refreshing and tasty. Also, I love how you used the Christmas lights in your photos. Lovely!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
I truly love the question about what do you really want to be doing with your day. I think it is so important to ask that and not take our time here for granted. Thanks for all that you have shared in 2012. I know 2013 will be even better!
Kathryn says
Congratulations on all you have achieved in 2012 and here’s to 2013 being even better!
dixya @ food, pleasure, and health says
what a great post and genuinely written. I think we all go through these phase in our life where we are not content with the present situation but cant really help it. But talking to yourself or with your partner, the main question- what we want is soo important. thanks for the reminder that if we want something so bad, we should go for it and plan to achieve it. I am so glad you and your husband are headed to the path you wanted and things are going great. I hope year 2013 will bring more happiness and success to both of you :)