The last decade

With the second decade of the 21st century coming to an end, many of us have been looking back on the last 10 years. I'm no exception, being a lover of list-making and dreaming and taking a look back at the story of my life. In my case the last 10 years also encompass my entire 30s, since my birthday is in December. So it was extra-special to take a look back to see what I did during the last decade aka my flirty thirties. 

Here are some of the things that happened in the 2010s:

• I started my career as a x-ray technologist and have worked in 6 different hospitals so far.
• I half walked, half ran a half-marathon in 2012. 
  

• I made the decision of being a stepmom only and not adding babies to our family. Best.decision.ever. 
• I grew my hair from a pixie cut to really long, chopped half of it off in 2016 and grew it out again. 

  

  2012. My hair length may have changed, but my love for chocolate hasn't and never will

• We went on 3 cruises (Alaska in 2014, Bahamas in 2016, Baltic in 2019), travelled to Hawaii 3 times, to Mexico twice, and to Germany - hmm, not sure, but probably 6 times? Or 7? We also road-tripped to California in 2013 where the locals threw rocks at us. 

  

  2013. In the midst of my awkward growing-my-hair-out stage

   
• My sister and I went to London together in 2010 and to Paris in 2017, and both trips were amazing. 
  
• I made new friends and lost some friendships. 
• I discovered yoga. 
• We moved! The most life-changing event of the last decade and our best decision together.  
• We hosted dozens of friends and family over the last 10 years. Parents, siblings, my grandma, my niece, my cousin, Rich's cousin, and lots of friends. 

  

  2013

  
  

  

  2013

• Rich became really sick with Lyme disease, but is managing it well. 
• Over the last 10 years I've been diagnosed with depression, PMDD, and asthma. 
• I slowly gained 10 pounds, and I'm fine with it. 
• I started this blog, wrote 2 books, and am now working on my first novel!
• We became grandparents! I finally understand the obsession other people have with their grandkids. It's the sweetest feeling and we both love him so much. 
  

• We lost Rich's dad, my grandma, an aunt and uncle, and a few friends. Death is the cruellest part of life. 
• Rich retired and is loving it! And I love that he's at home to take care of the babies (=dogs) while I'm at work. Everybody wins!
• We lost dogs and got new ones, and we added cats to our family. I always believed that I was firmly camp dog, but it turns out that I love cats almost as much as dogs! If you keep an open heart and mind your life gets better and fuller all the time.  
• I lost a few insecurities and gained a lot more confidence than I had at the beginning of the last decade. I've finally learned to be myself, and it took a long time to get there. 

  

  2014

   

The very best part of the last decade has been that I've spent it with Rich. He is and forever will be my favourite partner in crime, best friend and the person I want to share all the best and worst with. It's been an eventful 10 years with some downs but way more ups, and I'm so grateful for it all!

Here's to the next 10 years!

xoxo Miriam

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