What was your greatest accomplishment in 2017?

[YadaYadaYada]

Since we are right in the cusp of a new year, I thought it would be great to share your greatest accomplishment(s) for 2017.

It could be something as simple as cleaning out that closet you neglected for so long, or adopting a pet, maybe you got involved in volunteer work or finished your degree. Perhaps you got rid of a bad habit that plagued you for years (I will share mine later). Maybe you just got a really cool piece of jewelry

Anyways, you get the idea. So please share your accomplishments to close out 2017!

 

[lyra]

I went through a well past midlife crisis. I came to terms with the fact that I might not ever have grandchildren. That was kind of a big deal. One of my daughters never wanted kids. The other did, but there are fertility issues and she's no longer sure what she wants. It's okay not to have kids or grandkids. I went through all the stages of grief over that, I think. I'm in a much better frame of mind now, and it's okay. I am just hoping for better health for DH and I for the future. And, this is big for me, I might even travel!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Lyra, big hug to you because it sounds like it was really a process you had to go through. Sending you healthy vibes to you and your DH in 2018 so that you can make some travel plans

 

[kenny]

The whole concept of 'great accomplishments of mine' is totally foreign to me.
I also reject the specialness of transitioning from one year to the next.

IMO considering oneself special is problematic, and setting oneself up for falling short or an inflated self image.
Not much for life on a roller coaster.

I just don't think those ways.
I just live.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

It never occurs to me to ponder 'great accomplishments' of mine.
I also give zero significance to the made-up idea of numbering years, and the specialness of transitioning from one to the next.

I just don't think that way.
I just live.

IMO considering oneself special is problematic.

It's not about being special though, it's just sharing something that made you feel accomplished, doesn't matter how big or small and it's not really meant to be a showy self-serving thread. More of a sharing with friends feel.

 

[OreoRosies86]

This isn't exactly an accomplishment but I found great happiness in my personal life right when darkness was complete descending. I hope it lasts, because it gives me a lot of hope for the future.

 

[TooPatient]

2017 has been amazing. I am feeling happier and more at peace than I ever remember feeling before.

I started in a Bachelor's degree program in January.
I also realized that life is too short to put everything enjoyable off for later. That translated to concerts all summer (18 concerts plus two festivals). I even decided at the last minute to go to a three day country music festival by myself and had lots of fun.

Accidentally adopting my dog from Louisiana was big for us too. Our family feels more complete and happy with him here.

 

[lyra]

@kenny Your logic is sound. In fact, it illustrates a great coping mechanism a therapist taught me once. If we make negative and positive experiences both equate to "neutral", then living in the present moment is easier. Not a roller coaster just like you said. Good things happen, bad things happen, we keep going. No state of being lasts forever.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Elliot, some people go through life and never find happiness, I hope it continues getting better and better for you!

TooPatient, congrats on your accidental adoption and on starting to work towards your degree! Did you have a favorite concert you went to?

 

[madelise]

Signed my name on a mortgage! and for the first time in my life, have no apartment or unit # to my address!!!!

 

[kenny]

@kenny Your logic is sound. In fact, it illustrates a great coping mechanism a therapist taught me once. If we make negative and positive experiences both equate to "neutral", then living in the present moment is easier. Not a roller coaster just like you said. Good things happen, bad things happen, we keep going. No state of being lasts forever.

Thanks.
My years in psychoanalysis changed me a lot.
So did EST, which I took at age 19.

... but it does make the 'regular normal' world seem, at times, unnecessarily silly and actually dysfunctional.

Great accomplishments?
Inventing penicillin comes to mind.

But these days every kid gets and award.

 

[TooPatient]

Elliot, some people go through life and never find happiness, I hope it continues getting better and better for you!

TooPatient, congrats on your accidental adoption and on starting to work towards your degree! Did you have a favorite concert you went to?

Favorite? I hate to try to choose! Sergio Mendes was a once in a lifetime treat. Brad Paisley is still one of my all time favorites. Garth Brooks... Wow! TajMo was another once in a lifetime as two greats joined together. Josh Turner has a smile that makes the heart flutter and he smiled right at me as I was getting a picture. So many memories!

Watershed was so great for me. I decided at the last minute and my DH supported and encouraged me to go enjoy. I drove for hours with nothing but my thoughts and spent three days alone where most people were with groups. I also discovered strawberry daiquiri... Yum!


The full list from the year:

Kodo
North Bend Jazz Walk
John Mellencamp, Emmielou Harris, Carlene Carter
Taj Mo -- Taj Mahal and Keb Mo
Buster Williams
Brad Paisley, Dustin Lynch, Chase Bryant, Lindsay Ell
Sergio Mendes, H20
Watershed (Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Chris Stapleton, and too many others to list)
Kenny Rogers, Linda Davis (farewell tour)
Josh Turner
Yakima Symphony Orchestra
Lady Antebellum, Brett Young, Kelsea Ballerini
John Michael Montgomery and Craig Campbell
Judith Hill
The Beach Boys with John Stamos
Hank Williams Jr, The Cadillac Three
Take Six (twice!)
Billy Ray Cyrrus, Derek Jones
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood

 

[YadaYadaYada]

The Beach Boys were my first concert but alas no John Stamos. He is dreamy

 

[ac117]

After lots of ups and downs during the search, DH and I finally bought our house were renovating and aren't moved in yet (not at all what I was expecting but it is what it is) but we hope to be soon!

 

[jordyonbass]

Some great accomplishments here, I am jealous of some!! 2017 was a very turbulent year for us and unfortunately a lot of personal relationships have had to change form and our marriage was tested, however two events I am proud of are;

1. We got our little Opal home business off the ground.
2. I landed the best day job I have ever had; between a 6 figure package, being on my own schedule and virtually autonomous I now have more time to do what I want than ever.

For once in my life I feel like I have my career directions in order, now we are just working on the personal life so we can start our family soon (the issues haven't been between Mrs Jordy and I, more like a bombardment of more family messes to clean than usual this year and patience has run out).

 

[LJsapphire]

I took on my mortgage in my own name, finally removing my ex after 6 and a bit years.

I taught my son to ride his bike. We started last year, but he moved to a bigger bike this year and it was like starting all over again

 

[diamondringlover]

2 things come to mind...first one is I changed jobs in March...same company just a lot less stress in my new job..I actually don't mind working now for the first time in many years! 2nd thing is seeing my son and his long time girlfriend get married in August.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Madelise, it's so great you made the jump from renting to owning, there really is nothing like owing your own home. Wishing you many years of health and happiness in your new place.

ac117, it really is exhausting to not only search for a home but then also all the stress that goes into renovating. Fingers crossed that you get to move in soon and start enjoying the fruits of your labor.

Jordy, I think it's great that you found a job that allows you time to live, so many just work so long and so hard there is little time for anything else. Also sending you good wishes for your new business and on starting a family, both very exciting and life changing things.

LJ, that is a great thing and another huge step towards moving on I bet. I never realized that moving up in bikes is sometimes like starting over. We need to get on this skill for my son.

Diamondring, wonderful that your son found someone and you have a new DIL! Also it's so great you found work that is not as stressful, stress is not good for anyone especially if you might have grandbabies in the future

 

[Missy]

Wow, congratulations to everyone. All wonderful accomplishments and milestones. How exciting for those of you who purchased a new home. And starting new jobs and careers. And new beginnings. Marriages and births. There is a lot to look forward to and much to be grateful for and I wish each and everyone of you all the best.

It's funny at first when I read your question Stephanie nothing came to mind lol. But my dh is sitting next to me and I asked him the question and he said my retirement. LOL I already forgot I retired as it feels just natural and not even a change for me but 4 months ago I retired and yes I have to agree with my dh that it is an accomplishment.

I enjoyed a good career helping others in a challenging field and I was fortunate I could do what I did for so long without getting burned out. And also grateful that I realized the time had come to retire. Not always an easy thing to know or do as it is a change and change doesn't always come easily. I will say that in this case while I was so hesitant and really took my time deciding it was one of the best decisions I have made. It was time and I am happy it turned out so well. I haven't had time to be bored yet but looking forward to that haha.

Hopefully 2018 will bring more happy accomplishments and milestones for all and that there will be many more happy events and experiences to look forward to and that this will be a year of health, happiness, peace and contentment for everyone here.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Missy, retirement is a major accomplishment and I'm so glad you were able to make it a reality!

 

[Austina]

A very small thing for me, I always wanted to drive a big truck, and I did

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I'll share that 2017 was a year of a lot of personal growth, despite all the stress of this year I was able to stop two horrible habits I've had since childhood.

One is nail biting, I have tried so many times to stop biting my nails to no avail but this year I just stopped out of the blue and had no desire to do it anymore.

Also related but my main vice for the past 32 years has been picking at my fingers, I used to pick at all of my fingers but the past 5 years has just been both of my thumbs. It's amazing in all those years they never got infected! My brother has the same compulsion. Well along with the nails I decided I had enough and stopped the picking, it was never a self harm thing but a comfort thing but I don't need it anymore. It's great not having to hide my hands

 

[LJsapphire]

LJ, that is a great thing and another huge step towards moving on I bet. I never realized that moving up in bikes is sometimes like starting over. We need to get on this skill for my son.

Thanks, it might not be for everyone but the bigger bike was heavier and he lost confidence because he could only just touch the ground. I think that as he's never really hurt himself he was scared of falling off. But once he took a few tumbles (and the tears that came with them) he started to get used to it a bit. My mum got him a 2nd hand mountain bike and my brother picked up a BMX (that he uses for himself as well). But my son prefers the BMX. Looking forward to go out on rides as a family, we used to go out on rides along the canal when he had a baby seat, and then with a tagalong bike attached to the back of mine.

 

[sgirl]

I stopped biting my fingernails. I know that sounds like a small thing but I have done it for about 36 yrs so I am pretty proud of myself and hubby is liking the back tickles.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Thanks, it might not be for everyone but the bigger bike was heavier and he lost confidence because he could only just touch the ground. I think that as he's never really hurt himself he was scared of falling off. But once he took a few tumbles (and the tears that came with them) he started to get used to it a bit. My mum got him a 2nd hand mountain bike and my brother picked up a BMX (that he uses for himself as well). But my son prefers the BMX. Looking forward to go out on rides as a family, we used to go out on rides along the canal when he had a baby seat, and then with a tagalong bike attached to the back of mine.

Do you mind me asking how old your son is? I need to make this a priority this year for my son, he struggles with sensory disorder so getting the coordination down to ride a bike properly is a challenge!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

sgirl, high five my friend, great job kicking that habit, it's tough I know. I never realized how awful my hands looked until I grew my nails out. What a difference.

 

[LJsapphire]

Do you mind me asking how old your son is? I need to make this a priority this year for my son, he struggles with sensory disorder so getting the coordination down to ride a bike properly is a challenge!

He's 8 now, we started with the smaller bike around Easter 2016 so he would've been 6 and a half.

 

[sgirl]

sgirl, high five my friend, great job kicking that habit, it's tough I know. I never realized how awful my hands looked until I grew my nails out. What a difference.

Thanks and to you as well! It has allowed me to get excited about jewelry and I ordered an E ring upgrade as I a m no longer embarrassed by my hands so am happy to draw attention to them.

 

[Queenie60]

Signed my name on a mortgage! and for the first time in my life, have no apartment or unit # to my address!!!!

Congratulations!!!

 

[sgirl]

Do you mind me asking how old your son is? I need to make this a priority this year for my son, he struggles with sensory disorder so getting the coordination down to ride a bike properly is a challenge!

Have you considered trying a balance bike to start?