The end of the year is a wonderful time of year for both reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the next one. I reached out to my blogging friends and invited them to share what they learned and accomplished in 2014 and how that was impacting their plans for 2015. Brittany, currently building her blog at themilitarywifelife.com. noted that it was the hard times in 2014 that offered the most personal growth.
![A Time Of Growth with ifthesaddlefits.com]()
This has been one heck of a year.
If I had to sum-up 2014 in one word, I would have to say “life-changing.” I lost two grandparents this year (one of which practically raised me) and my cat of 14 years, I moved across the country to a totally different state for the first time, I married the love of my life at the young age of 19, and I’ve grown in more ways than I ever could have imagined.
Despite the goodbyes I’ve had to say this year, 2014 has brought many “hellos,” great memories, and new beginnings.
From transferring to a new college (with super challenging classes, might I add) and having to make new friends all over again to becoming a military wife with more responsibilities than I anticipated, I can easily say that this has been the most rewarding year of my life (so far, anyway).
It’s been hard, scary, and tearful at times, but that’s exactly what makes 2014 such a rewarding year to me.
It’s through these times that I’ve realized exactly what I’m made of. Through the hard times I found strength, through the scary parts I found courage, and through the tearful moments I found joy in places I least expected it.
Aside from the hardships, I’ve also experienced a fair amount of personal growth through the good times.
For instance, making new friends has brought me a lot of skills I didn’t realize I was lacking. I’ve become much better at learning names (saying it out loud a few times has really helped) and now I often find myself bravely striking conversations with strangers. I’ve also learned a whole lot about myself through marrying my best friend, starting with how impatient I can be at times. Now, don’t get me wrong—I absolutely love being married to my sweet husband—but during the first few weeks of living with each other, sometimes my patience would run thinner than cheap toilet paper. These first short months of marriage have taught me a lot about having patience, sharing, and working together. And, thanks to the military, I’ve also had to learn my fair share of flexibility, too.
If it weren’t for the challenges this year has presented to me, I’m not sure I could sit here writing about how much I’ve grown. It’s truly through the hard times that I’ve become a better person, and for that reason I’m grateful for every moment I’ve been blessed to live during 2014.
I’m looking forward to the good times, challenges, and new beginnings 2015 will bring, and I’m excited to welcome the New Year with open arms.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us, Brittany!
What was the biggest challenge you faced in 2014?
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