Reviewing The Decade: 2010-2019

What a DECADE! I’ve been alive for almost three decades now, but this past one was the most memorable, adventurous, and amazing. I’m honestly sad to see it go, but so grateful for the growth, the good times and bad, and every single blessing.

I’m really only sharing my highlights of the past decade. That doesn’t mean it was all rainbows and sunshine. Not even close, but I’m grateful for the challenges and hard times because without the sadness, there wouldn’t be any joy.

2010: Leaving the Nest

I started off the decade by graduating high school. I LOVED high school and made some amazing friends during those years, some who still are my best friends! During my senior year, I joined the cross country team which ignited my love of fitness. Graduation came, and I was excited to grow up and start college at BYU, the university I dreamed of attending since I was a kid.

Mentionable Memory: I’ll never forget going to see Toy Story 3 with some of my best high school friends. We were all in tears at the end because we felt like Andy, all grown up and off to college. A bittersweet moment for sure.

2010-2015: College and Adventures

The college years were some of the most challenging, fun, rewarding, and growing years of my life. I became more confident in who I was, discovered my love for travel and adventure, found a major which became my passion (exercise and wellness) and made some incredible lifelong friends.

Some years were extremely difficult and full of tears, others so much fun you could burst. I was fortunate enough to work with my Dad and older brother at their accounting firm any spare time I had. I also completed a personal training internship.

It was also during this time that I started my blog, which has grown into such a wonderful little community. I started my blog because I wanted to share what I was learning in school and to help women live healthier lives.

I was fortunate enough to go on several priceless adventures from running Ragnar races to a school trip to Europe to study Art History.

Mentionable Memory: My Europe trip in 2012 was my first experience traveling internationaly. Europe was amazing! The food, the art, and the culture were fascinating. I’ll always remember the delicious crepe stands in London and Paris and the huge churches like Notre Dame. I’ll also never forget the SMELLY and crowded Paris metro and getting groped by a large Frenchman. Yikes.

2015-2016: Trying to Figure out how to Adult

I cried the day of college graduation. I loved school, my major, and being able to learn about exercise, nutrition, and wellness every day. The thought of growing up and getting a big girl job terrified me.

So, I did what any millennial that doesn’t want to grow up would do. I spent all my savings on one last school trip to Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand. I think it’s safe to say that that trip changed my life and was one of the best decisions of the decade. I saw the world in a different view, learned to give up my strict dieting and rigid exercise schedule, and had some incredible once in a lifetime adventures.

Once I got back, I got extremely lucky and found a job writing fitness and wellness articles online for a local supplement company. It was my first taste of digital marketing and the online business world and I LOVED it.

To top it all off, at the end of 2015, I met one of my best friends who would become my husband.

Mentionable Memory: I’ll NEVER forget being in Fiji on these small rickety motorboats with our Fijian guides riding right up to a humpback whale and her baby. It was so amazing to be that close to something so majestic and beautiful. On our ride back to shore, playful dolphins started jumping next to our speeding boat. I thought I had died and gone to heaven, literally.

via GIPHY

2016-2018: Falling in Love

Jonny (who was one of my best friends) and I started dating in the summer of 2016. I was enjoying working, saving, and living with some amazing friends. I remember lots of goofing off with roommates, endless volleyball, nightly dinner group (we switched off making dinner each night) and falling in love with Jonny.

Jonny proposed in the spring of 2017 and we got married that July on 7-11-17. It was a Tuesday and the best day ever! We honeymooned in Alaska and fell in love with the lush greenery, glaciers, and wildlife. You can read more about our honeymoon here.

In 2017 and 2018 things had gotten pretty bad at the job I once loved. We had gotten acquired by a larger company and the work environment was becoming toxic. It was during this time that I put more effort into building my own blog and brand. I’m SO grateful for this first “big girl” job, I learned so much about marketing, social media, and I was able to further my nutritional education.

I got a new job at a new health and wellness company in 2018 where I still work today! I love my current job and am grateful for the continued learning and growth only a corporate job can give.

In 2018 I ran my second half marathon and beat the time of my first (which I ran in 2014) and Jonny and I saved for a trip to Mexico. You can read more about that trip here.

Jonny graduated from BYU at the end of 2018 and started his full-time job as an analyst. Transitioning from students to full time working adults hasn’t been easy or even fun at times, but we are SO grateful for our jobs and where we’re at now.

Mentionable Memory: Nothing will beat getting married to Jonny. We were married in the Draper Utah Temple and it was the most perfect day. We had some of our closest friends and family there and I’ll never forget walking out of the temple hand in hand with my eternal companion. Every heartbreak and sorrow I’d experienced up to that point seemed so far away and minuscule compared to the joy of marrying Jonny.

2019 and Beyond: Keep Moving Forward

2019 has honestly been of the best years of my life, it was also one of the fastest years of my life. I swear I blinked and it was over. Of course, I had many downs, but they seem overshadowed by the blessings.

We were fortunate enough to go on several fun trips including Italy (you can read more about that trip here) Montana, Jackson Hole, Zion National Park, and Bryce National Park.

I’ve seen more growth here on my blog this past year and although I feel like I have far to go, I’m grateful for the every single reader and your continued support. I’m thrilled to take my blog to the next level and provide even more educational resources to busy working women so they can feel their best. 2020 is YOUR year!

Mentionable Memory: It’s hard to pick just one memory, but our Italy road trip was incredible. I loved driving around in our little rental car, driving through the mountains and cities with Jonny as my guide. Jonny had served a two-year mission to Italy (for the Church of Jesus Christ) and it was always our dream to go back and visit when the Rome Temple was built.

Wrapping it Up

I’m so excited for what the future holds. If there’s anything I’ve learned this decade is that with hard work, determination, discipline, and faith, you can literally do anything you set your mind to.

There were things I accomplished I never thought were possible. At times I didn’t think I was smart enough, had enough time, had enough money, or was worthy. But I kept dreaming, worked harder than ever and went after my goals and dreams anyway.

I don’t say that to sound braggy, I say it to prove a point. Because if I can make my dreams happen, so you can you.

You determine the outcome of your life. You determine your attitude. I’ve learned that you can either be positive, take responsibility, and take action or you can be negative, shift blame and do nothing. The choice is always yours.

Here’s to a new decade, new opportunities, new choices, and new experiences. Let the adventure begin!

XOXO

Amy