THANKSGIVING

I always find myself reflecting on the past year around the holidays. Between the decorating, the shopping, the dinners, and the parties, it’s important to take some time to think about where you’re at and where you’re going. After all, New Year’s Resolutions are right around the corner! So this week, I took some time to look at my last year and reflect on some of the things I’m most grateful for. Here’s my list of ten things I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving:

1. Health - A few years ago, I found myself in the hospital for an unexpected procedure around Thanksgiving. Not the best way to spend the holidays, let me tell you! Since then, I’ve spent time every year paying attention to my health and taking care of my body. It’s amazing how we take our health for granted until we don’t have it. Take time to slow down and listen to your body this season! After all, it’s the vehicle taking you everywhere in this wonderful life.

2. Family & Friends - There’s no one I love spending the holidays with more than friends and family. I love having the excuse to slow down my work life for a few days to be present and connect with those I care about most. I also can’t believe the number of new friends I’ve made this year, including all of you! 2018 has truly been an amazing year in so many ways and there are so many humans I have to thank for that. So thank you!

3. Good Music - I have been to a ridiculous amount of incredible music experiences this year, from the many nights I spent at Red Rocks to the days in the sun at Grandoozy, to all of the club and living room shows I’ve seen and been hired to photograph. Good music is all around and it motivates me all the time. To all of the artists who have played their hearts out and shared their art with me this year, thank you!

4. Travel - Anyone who knows me jokes that I really am always on the run. And this year, I’ve been roaming more than most. I’ve seen so many new places and am really grateful for the opportunity to have shared them with you (see some of my travel features here!). I think every time you travel, you learn something new about yourself, even if it’s something small. This year has been a real exploration of destinations, people, amazing food, and more. I’ve learned so much about who I am, what I value, and where I want to be. Comment on this picture if you have an idea of where I should go next!

5. Debt Free - Student loans had me dowwnnnn friends. It took me five years to pull myself up out of their stronghold, so I completely sympathize if you’re going through this life. I currently work around 80 hours a week, though it’s all doing amazing things that I love, so working that often definitely helped me end my debt this year. I actually paid off a large portion of my loans through side gigs though, and I’ll be publishing on this soon in its own feature. Stay tuned!

6. Work - Is it weird to be grateful about work? I don’t think so! I am working on so many amazing projects- from music photography gigs, to working with blockchain companies on their content strategies, to running press campaigns for companies like FL+G, I have had an absolute blast working this year. A few years ago, I felt stuck working in a career I didn’t absolutely love until one day, I decided life was too short and I started chasing the things that mattered to me, like public relations, content creation, blockchain, travel, tech, health, and more. I feel super fortunate to now be doing things I’m so passionate about. If you want to pivot your work life, DM me! I would so like to help you find joy in what you’re doing. It took me a little time, but now I’ll be forever grateful I took the leap and went for it!

7. Connecting with Other Creatives - Though I’m super into science and technology, I definitely have a creative side. It’s taken a while for me to find work that lets me use both sides of my brain everyday, but the way I found what I love to do was by reaching out to other creatives: bloggers, publicists, PR coordinators, photographers, marketers, and more. Each one of them taught me different skills and techniques that I now use in my work everyday, so I am very thankful for all of the creatives I’ve connected with this year. You rock!

8. Blockchain - At the start of the year, I was fortunate to publish a feature in VICE News about blockchain technology in healthcare. This opened a ton of doors for me- now I work with different blockchain companies on communications strategy and content creation and I love it. I’m so glad I was introduced to this space and that I’ve connected with so many others who are passionate about it. There is much more to the blockchain world than cryptocurrency, I promise!

9. Colorado’s Music Community - While I’m on the go often, Colorado is my home base. There is an absolutely wonderful music community here- artists, musicians, promoters, photographers, publicists, and more. Whether it was jumping to a good show, photographing one of my icons like Ringo Starr, or speaking with a ton of you at Denver’s Balanced Breakfast chapter, one thing’s for sure: I love the Colorado music community. I’m excited to continue to see this community grow- what will next year bring us y’all!?

10. Opportunity - If you want something, you have to chase it. I feel like I’ve spent all of 2018 doing just that! Whether working with clients, on my own creative outlets, or with any of you on your projects or passions, I’ve been so fortunate to have so many amazing opportunities this year to do what I love. But they didn’t just flood my inbox- trust me. I went after them with a fire that’s still burning. What’s the thing that keeps you motivated to chase the opportunities you want? Share it with me in the comments on this post.

What a year 2018 has been! I have so much to be grateful for, and so many of you to thank for that. Now, I want to hear what comes to mind for your list. Share yours with me on this post!