BC #14- A Pic of Yourself Last Year- How Much Have You Changed?

This picture was taken about an hour before the countdown to 2010 (dang, my hair was long.. and in its natural color!) I spent that evening with a bunch of friends that I worked with at Home Depot. It was a fun night, filled with beer pong, champagne, and getting several kisses at Midnight. I believe this was also the last time I hung out with them. When you don't work for the company, you can drift apart from the crowd you socialized and worked with, and that's what happened here.

I feel like I change every year. I experience new things and interact with new people that make me a different person at the end of each calender year. The past three years have been dedicated to rediscovering myself, but 2010 had the biggest impact on my journey.

1. I have reestablished a social life. Since I separated from my ex-husband, I have reconnected ties I thought I was losing with close friends. A lot of that had to do with opening a Facebook account. But, my social life hit a new level summer 2010. I had plans every week with friends. I was making new friends. I was trying new things. I found myself with the possibility that I was entering myself back into the dating world. I felt like I was 19 again, where I had so much to look forward to in my future.

2. My Son Started School. It's sometimes hard for me to believe that I have a kid old enough to be going to school five days a week. Since he started going last August, I have found that I have a lot more "me" time. I can get things done around the house without him flooding every room with his toys. I can watch movies that are not appropriate for him to see. I can get out and go shopping, eat lunch, and hang out with friends on occasion.

3. I started writing again. Eight months ago, I set up this blog. Once I started, I opened a floodgate of creativity. Then, a couple months ago, I saw a Twitter post about freelance writers for The Pitch. I took advantage of the opportunity. I don't think I would have attempted to go for it if I didn't have my blog to help me get my voice out there. Having the possibility of seeing my dream as a published writer turning into a reality is the most rewarding change I have experienced in the past year.

4. I express myself as the unique individual that I am. I have learned how to showcase the unique qualities that I possess. I write about it, I post things I enjoy on Twitter and Facebook, and I don't hesitate in voicing my opinions on things. I have been showing off the sexier, girly side of me (through clothing and my attitude). I've had a few recent incidents with members of my family over things posted on my Facebook and I stood my ground. Even though I had some minor backlash in regards to it (a few family members have deleted me off their accounts), I was proud that I took a stand... and had a lot of support from friends and loved ones.

5. I have learned to love my body. I have said this before; I am glad I am not a skinny beanpole. I love having a curvy body. With that said, I also dislike seeing how much I weigh when I actually decide to step on a scale. I have found a happy median to making myself completely satisfied. I don't necessarily need to lose weight (per se), but I need to work on toning the areas of my body that make me cringe at times (my upper arms, my thighs, and my stomach). If I do that, I won't have to fear that I will lose my curves. I have also stepped out of the comfort zone I've been in and took chances in showing a little more skin (wearing corsets and hosiery to Rocky Horror, knee high socks with shorts to work, etc.). Having positive reaction from men and women over my confidence in wearing such things have helped me out immensely.

Despite all the changes I've experienced the past year, I believe that the rest of 2011 is going to have a bigger impact... on myself, my career path, my love life, and my creativity. I've already have some exciting things in the works, but I don't want to spoil the fun. You'll just have to wait and see....