I am rarely at a loss for words, but as I attempt to share some thoughts on 2014 I don’t even know where to begin.

It was a crazy year with amazing wins and hard-to-swallow losses.

I learned about myself, about what motivates me, about what I need from my work, and what I need from those whom I am close with. Perhaps this is true of most 22 year olds, but I realized that I had a worryingly unclear idea of what I wanted in life.

In business, I found myself making decisions based on what I believed other people expected of me, rather than what I expected of and for myself. I took opportunities that afforded status, before considering if they were actually a good fit. I didn’t think enough about what I needed to be happy, instead focusing on ways that I could fulfill other people’s needs.

In life, I shared thoughts and stories that I had hid inside for years, opening myself up to new experiences and opportunities that I’d inadvertently closed myself off to. In times of crisis and chaos, I found myself turning to people who are now some of my dearest friends, friends who won’t run away when the weather gets rough.

I hit (and passed) 1 million views for the first time, I was profiled by my favorite publication (The New York Times), I joined the Editorial Board of The FBomb and the Board of Onwards, I launched PippaLoves, and I worked with two different documentary filmmakers on movies coming out Summer 2015.

I gave myself permission to care and I fell in love.

All in all, despite the rough patches, it wasn’t too shabby. If this were a sports team, I might call it a building year – one of growth, development, and progress. A year that set the foundation for the ones to come.

There are many exciting things coming for 2015, some of which will be announced in the weeks following the holiday season.

For now, I am taking a little bit of a break. From today (December 23^rd) until January 6^th, 2015, I will be tuned out of Facebook and tuning in with my family, I’ll be off of Twitter and on the ski slopes. While I might share a fun article here or there, or Instagram an embarrassing picture, I am taking a bit of time to focus on being present before 2015 kicks into high gear.

I hope that you will take some time for yourself as well.

Happy Holidays and a Very Happy New Year!

Cheers,

Pippa