2015 was a tough year for us as a family and for me personally but as with anything that is hard, there were lots of lessons to be learnt. Some of them were lessons I had to be reminded of and some of them I have been trying to learn for years.
I learnt resilience. I can honestly say I never knew I had it in me to be so resilient. I grew up spoilt and life, for the most part was easy. I got what I wanted and never really had to worry about much but this year was a huge big slap in the face from adulting and I actually think I managed ok.
I learnt I am pretty good at motivating people! This is something I never knew I could do or that I would enjoy so much but I have received such positive feedback from the members in my groups and I really really enjoy doing it.
Following on from that I learnt that throwing a tantrum will not get me what I want. Most of us, I hope, have moments of immaturity and throwing tantrums is mine. I threw many tantrums last year, with my mom, with David and even one or two with my kids. They never worked, I never once got my way as a result of them nor did they change anything.
I learnt how to extreme budget. 2015 really taught me how to stretch every cent we had and how to prioritize and save! We were able to enjoy our holiday this year because we actively focused on budgeting and saving for it.
I was reminded again just how careful I need to be about what I say online. I don’t think people really fully understand just how dangerous it is to share their every thought online. I also don’t think people fully understand that they cannot go around posting images of other people willy nilly. I have also had to have lots of conversations with the kids about this!
I was reminded, again, just how amazing my kids are. Each of them faced challenges this year, they were disappointed and there were often obstacles in their way but they each overcame them and in doing so taught me a very powerful lesson in determination.
I learnt a lot about friendship and what it means to me. I cut a lot of people out of my life and focused on the ones I wanted to be there and those who wanted me to be there.
I learnt I can be a dance mom. It doesn’t come as naturally as being a swimming or soccer mom but Kiara’s exam costume broke 45 minutes before she was due to dance her exam on 13h15 on a Sunday! There was some frantic phone calls and whatsapp messages but we pulled it off!
I learnt you can’t just send your son off to swimming training and go happily on your way. It is a lifestyle change where diets have to be adjusted, vitamins have to be taken and LOTS of money has to be spent.
I learnt that David and I are a pretty awesome team and when we collectively put our minds together we can achieve some great things!
Did 2015 teach you anything?
12 Responses
Great post! I like the one about motivation. I think once you realize you have a skill to do this, it means you have the ability to change people’s lives. And that’s pretty powerful! Keep reminding yourself of this one each and every day!
It really is Bronwynne – I don’t think I fully realise how much!
It’s amazing how the toughest years are generally the years that we grow and develop the most. I’m excited about what 2016 is going to hold for the Le Roux family xx
Alet recently posted…How to Create a Creative Vision Board for this Decade
Thanks Alet – we are very excited too!
Thank you for this post! I can certainly relate to it. But it’s great to be reminded that resilience really is the key. As Eleanor Roosevelt said: “Women are like teabags. They don’t know how strong they are until they get into hot water. ” ☺
Natalija Cameron recently posted…7 Simple Habits: Frugal with Water in Home & Garden
Definitely Natalija! Love that quote!
I think it is in our toughest moments that our real character shines through and at the end of the day you made it and I am super proud of you. I am also proud of what we achieved with SA Mom blogs. I think this year is going to have its own challenges but I am excited about the changes and I just hope I can handle them!
Heather recently posted…What to Put in Your Kid’s Lunch Box and WIN a Picnic Basket Worth R1000!
We will be able to challenge them Heather – we have come to far to not figure it out 🙂
I really want to sit down with you and chat properly!
I learnt a whole lot last year too but I wrote a post on this earlier this week – it’s under my last year’s word, enough 🙂
Marcia (123 blog) recently posted…6 and a half!
I didn’t learn as much as you did in 2015, but my big lesson was learning that asking for help is not as hard as I thought it was.
Cassey recently posted…Today is a take it easy day
Yup…those tough years always teach us loads of lessons…not nice at the time, but good when you look back on it. You are an inspiration to many.
Lynette Jacobs recently posted…Unpacking my word for 2016 – GRACE
Ugh. The tough, tantrum-throwing years are the ones where we truly grow up. Sad but true. I LOVE how you’ve totally found your niche this last year. I learned that I MUST always be on meds, that I need to plan my life better and that I REALLY need alone time and need to consciously make it happen.