I feel as though I was just writing a post about turning thirty and a whole year has already gone by! For some reason, turning 31 feels more significant that 30 did. It’s as though taking that official step into my third decade means I’m further away from my twenties and really focusing on what I want my thirties to look like.

So far, it’s been a huge focus on taking care of myself. While I’m still working away on it, I started with the simple task of prioritizing an hour a day to my health by being active. I always found myself feeling guilty when I’d step away from work to workout or I’d convince myself that I didn’t have the time for it. So I started by blocking off my mornings and planning around my workouts just as though they were appointments. It’s been such a positive routine and my fears with guilt and time management have subsided because of all the positive benefits – I never thought I’d say that at 31 I feel the strongest and fittest of my life! When it comes to my work, feeling fit for wedding season is an actual thing (you’ll hear photographers saying they need to get “wedding fit” every season) so it’s beneficial for managing extremely physical days. I also spend so much time sitting while editing so it’s been great to get up and move for at least an hour. Besides the physical benefits it’s also been great to mentally step away from work and have time to clear my head

The last year also held some major life events – we said goodbye to my grandmother, a firecracker of a women who was full of so much love and beauty. That moment brought our family back to the place where my parents had grown up and a place I had visited so much when I was younger. As much as it was heartbreaking, it was also really wonderful to remember those memories and see those familiar sights.

Bella was diagnosed with cancer and we quickly moved into the process of chemo and treatments. Our minds were always positive that we’d have close to a year with her but that was cut short when we found out chemo wasn’t working. Within weeks we had to say goodbye to her and as much as we could anticipate what was coming, I’ll never forget that experience. It will always hold a place in my heart as one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make. There are still days where I miss her immensely but I can look back on her life with so much gratitude and happiness.

Entering into this next year, I hope I can continue to prioritize my health both physically and mentally. Being present and mindful is the next big focus because, while I try to celebrate each moment in life, there are days that fly by on autopilot so learning to truly be present for it all is a must. I feel privileged to have another year accomplished, now it’s time to embrace 31!