Today I'm looking back on 2017, and thought my #2017BestNine from Instagram would be the perfect place to start. I'm always curious if the posts chosen will really reflect my year, but in this case they did! This year I was lucky to spend quite a bit of time traveling, Dale and I celebrated two years of marriage, and this year was full of wonderful new opportunities at work. I love that these three huge areas of my life are reflected: travel, work, and family. These photos show our anniversary celebration, a work trip to Chicago, my family's trip to Chile, time with family at our lake house (Turkey Hill), my trip to LA with Laura, a portrait taken at Hallmark, and a sister picture from New Orleans.

But of course there are lots of things not captured as well. This year I have spent countless hours with friends both in Kansas City and St. Louis, I've committed at least one hour each week working out at Fusion Fitness, Dale and I spent a lot of time cooking in our tiny kitchen, I've driven what feels like a million miles back and forth between STL and KC, and dealt with all the general ups and downs and the uncertainty of what the next year will bring. I'm grateful for all I have experienced and learned this past year — 2018 will be a big year for us. I hope you have some time to reflect on your past year too, happy new year!

This year, perhaps more than any other year, I have really spent some time reflecting on the new year. While I haven't specifically created resolutions for myself, I have put some thought into different areas of my life and how I can make little changes that better align with how I would like to live. In 2015 (two years ago!) I wanted to spend more time on this blog, focus on fitness, and put more emphasis on relaxing. Last year I made my own 101 in 1001 list, and I am happy to report I have completed just over half of the list! While I enjoyed making that list, and will continue to complete items off of it, this year I went a little deeper. I won't share all the lengthy details of my notes here, but here are a few key points to keep myself accountable!

Embrace Simplicity

Like many others, in 2016 I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Marie Kondo's method did allow me to get rid of unnecessary items in our apartment, but in the new year I would love to place a greater emphasis on what I purchase. I hope to be more considerate, and in general thoughtful, about everything I buy. I want to focus on appreciating and loving the items I already own. Some things that are becoming more important to me are buying locally, considering ingredients, what the environmental impact is, and trying to make less impulse purchases.

Challenge Myself Mentally and Physically

This year I am grateful to be starting the year having been more active than I have been in a long time! Going to Fusion Fitness over the past two years really has shifted my mindset — I no longer doubt that I would even be capable of trying a new class. In 2017 I hope to continue working out at Fusion, and I would love to add more Yoga to my life. A few months ago I discovered a wonderful yoga studio in St. Louis where I plan to attend classes at regularly! I also would love to keep reading, meditating, and place a greater focus on healthy eating this year.

Be Present in the Company of Others

Daily I notice myself distracted by my phone or pondering the next task I need to complete. I hope to make a more conscious effort to listen during conversations with friends and family, and to focus as much as possible on the moment at hand.

Remain Grounded in Gratitude

Both meditation and the Five Minute Journal transformed my approach to gratitude in my daily life over the past year. Moving forward, I want to discover for myself the best way to keep gratitude a part of my life, but possibly in a more natural way. I don't want gratitude to feel like an item on my to-do list. This is one area I will continue to ponder. I can't wait to see what this year will bring, happy 2017!