We have reached the end of another year and decade. As I shared very early on in the year, 2019 was a number three year in numerology (2+0+1+9 = 12 // 1+2 = 3). Number three years are all about creating vs. consuming. Creating new habits, new products, building and harnessing new skills, new ideas, and so on. And this was definitely a true theme as I reflect back over the year. I created a new career path through yoga and meditation, launched a crystal shop with my cousin, and my husband and I created a new life which is forming inside of me as I type. We are now entering 2020, a new decade and a number four year.

This is an opportunity for all of us to look back over these past ten years and take a moment to reflect on our progress and growth. While I believe time is cyclical, not linear, these calendar years do help us track our personal evolution as humans. When I look back to the start of this decade, I see a 19 year old girl. The first half of this decade for me was a lot different from the second half, and there is so much I wish I could tell this former version of myself. All the difficult times were guiding her to something big. A path to adventure, opening her eyes, and really seeing the world. Hunting for northern lights in Iceland, admiring the Cliffs of Moher, traveling to Japan, hiking the Inca Trail, solo snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, and so many other adventures. It was all leading me on a path to love – true love – and marriage. It was leading me to Costa Rica to become a yoga teacher. A path to putting myself out there and connecting with the universe, yoga, meditation, and crystals. A path to being brave enough to try new things, open businesses, build websites, write, create, photograph, and inspire. And here I am, ten years later, having learned so much.

Life is unpredictable and there will always be challenging times. But those really are the most important times. When we feel grief we recognize happiness. When we feel lost, we understand direction. And now as I write this, five months pregnant with a daughter on the way, I really understand what it means to reach the culmination of a decade. Everything was a lesson leading me to the end of this year. Growing spiritually, emotionally, and now, physically too! From a naive, slightly insecure, disconnected, young college student, I have grown in so many ways – but only because of the challenging times. So to 19 year old Erin I say, hang in there. Life is a winding river – it’s challenging, beautiful, sometimes sad, and often funny. You’re on the right path. Surrender to it, trust yourself, learn from the lessons, and keep on shining.

Each year for the past few years I’ve written a recap on my blog about the important and memorable moments that occurred. I admit this is more for me than for others, but my hope each year is that it inspires you to do something similar. Before jumping ahead, it’s important to understand where you just came from. While this is mostly a highlight reel, it memorializes the most special moments for me from that past year. It’s such a joy to look back on prior years to see which memories shaped me into who I am today. Looking back on last year’s recap, I’m grateful to share my intentions all came true. So, here’s a look at the important events from 2019.

January: In January I visited my friend, Eva, in Boston, worked on setting goals for the year ahead, and was invited to speak at a “Creative’s Day Workshop.” I presented about Meditation and Manifestation – you can view my presentation here. We had a pretty snow day in January so Ryan and I went out to enjoy it. I remember that day clearly, it was the day I decided my word for 2019 would be “Joy.”

February – In February, Ryan and I moved to a renovated apartment within our same building. We held a goodbye ceremony in the apartment the night before we moved out and shared our favorite memories we had created there. I also traveled to Austin, Texas with my bridesmaids to celebrate my bachelorette. It was such a fun weekend filled with love (and good tears). I will forever cherish that weekend.

April – I traveled to Barbados for work and discovered the most beautiful paradise there. I really enjoyed this time by the ocean and amongst palm trees, even though I was there for work. I had the opportunity to go snorkeling with sea turtles, practiced yoga most mornings by myself on the beach, and witnessed the most magical sunrises and sunsets. April was also the month of my bridal shower. All the special women in my life came together to help me celebrate. That day I felt completely overwhelmed by love.

May – The month of May was mostly focused on wedding prep and self care. Ryan and I spent a nice weekend in Ocean City, MD with friends just a week or two before the wedding. It was a relaxing reset and we loved this time spent by the ocean in a beautiful AirBnB.

June – On June 2, 2019 Ryan and I became husband and wife, surrounded by all the people we love. It was a magical day, sprinkled with all types of weather from the universe – hail, wind, rain, and a gorgeous sunset. Our hearts were so full. The next day we left for our honeymoon – we flew into Zurich, Switzerland and took a train through the mountains to a quaint village nestled in the French Alps, Chamonix. From Chamonix, we traveled down to Florence, then the Amalfi Coast, and finally Rome. This European honeymoon will always make me smile.

July – July was another transformational month for me. Three weeks after returning from my honeymoon, I jetted off to Costa Rica. I signed up to attend a two week intensive yoga teacher training through Marianne Wells Yoga School. We stayed at Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort and practiced yoga for hours each day, learned about anatomy, the chakras, ayurvedic medicine, sequencing, and so much more. Most importantly though, we learned a lot about ourselves. I was challenged physically, mentally, and spiritually. I made lifelong connection with the other students who attended this program with me, and came back a slightly improved version of myself. I am so glad I invested in myself through this program, as it really did change many aspects of my life.

August – This was my hardest month of the whole year, and honestly one of the hardest of my life. Our family dog, Bailey, had been sick for a few months with a condition doctors had a hard time diagnosing. Finally they learned he had a tumor in his throat, possibly accompanied by a few other conditions. Bailey was so strong and held on for so long with such a positive and loving temperament. But one day, we just knew it was time to let him go. My family took him to the vet and we said our final goodbyes as he passed away in our arms. I’ve never experienced this level of grief, and I am grateful to Bailey for all the lessons he taught me that I will carry with me through life. I still dream of him often, and know he is with me and my family. I love you forever and ever my sweet baby boy.

On a much brighter note, we traveled to Chicago at the end of the month to celebrate my sweet baby sister’s bachelorette! It was a perfect weekend filled with laughter, sunny weather, and so much love.

September – This was another busy month. Ryan and I traveled to Charleston to vist my cousin, Colette, and had a great time exploring her new, charming city. We also spent a weekend in the Blue Ridge mountains and put our new camping gear to great use. When we returned, a few synchronicities led me to being hired by FierceOm, a gorgeous yoga studio in my area.  It all fell perfectly into place, and I have been teaching several times a week here ever since. This is also the month Ryan and I found out that I was pregnant. We couldn’t believe it, and our hearts have never experienced such joy ever since.

October – This was such a happy month! We celebrated Sara and Tom’s wedding in Arlington, VA. It was a day filled with sunshine, autumn leaves, and lots of dancing and love. We all wish Sara and Tom the most wonderful life together, especially with the new addition of their sweet pup, Gus! This was also the month when those pesky first trimester symptoms started kicking in. I learned to slow down, surrender to my body, and rest.

November – In November, my cousin and I launched our online crystal shop, Golden Light Crystals. We love incorporating crystals in our self care practices, and decided to share these gifts with others. The first month of being open was better than we could’ve expected. We had so much support from friends, family, and co-workers. FierceOm is selling crystals in their studio, and Colette attended a Christmas Bazaar in Charleston as a vendor. We are so excited to see what this next year brings for this labor of love.

December – And finally, we reach December. I spent quality time with friends and family throughout this month, traveled to New Jersey for a friend’s wedding, and kept things simple. Instead of gifts, we enjoyed each other’s company. My sister was in town and we had a beautiful time celebrating the holidays and reminiscing on all the joy experienced this year. Ryan and I also shared the news that we learned the gender of our baby and held a small gender reveal party for our family. It’s a girl! We are so blessed and excited to welcome Sophia Ivy Pratt to the family. Little baby Sophie is already loved by so many, and our hearts are already hers. I can’t wait to be her mom.

As we look ahead to this new year, we are filled with hope and the promise of new opportunities. We have 365 of them, after all. I encourage you to regularly check in with yourself throughout this to see if you’re living in alignment with the kind of life you’re envisioning right now. It’s so easy for these intentions and goals to get lost in the fray. My intention for 2020 is to not lose that feeling of new-ness. Each and every day that we are blessed to be on this Earth is an opportunity to transform and start anew. My intention for the year ahead is to practice presence in every moment, especially the difficult ones, and move through each day with grace and peace. It’s a miracle to be here, and I intend to remember that as I journey through the uncertainty, excitement, and sacredness of becoming a new mother.

What was a favorite memory of yours from 2019? What is an intention you’re setting for the year ahead? Wishing you peace, love, and joy this year.