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Life

Dear 2015

December 28, 2015January 2, 2016 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 15 comments
Dear 2015

A Letter to 2015. // dreams-etc.comDear 2015,

You were…

You were.

Okay, let’s try this again.

You were a year of adventure. Of travel and crossing items off of the bucket list (if I had one) and trying new things.

You were a year that taught me about taking leaps of faith. The I-don’t-know-why-but-this-feels-right spur of the moment leaps of faith.

You were a year that brought unexpected books. And sleepless nights.

You were a year that didn’t bring as much writing as I had hoped when the year began. Hopefully that will change.

You were a year in which dreams came true. In unexpected ways, but often those are the best.

You were a year with some hard times. With desperate prayers and worried nights.

You were a year that made me feel settled. And unsettled. At the same time. And I’m okay with that. (Usually.)

You were a year of learning to do. Some things worked out and some didn’t. That’s life.

You were a year of laughter. At life, with people, during stories.

You were a year of tears. At life, for people, during stories.

You were a year that taught me a lot. In ways that I can’t exactly express, but that I can see in my life. And I’m sure in ways I’ll continue to see. To be honest, I was a little apprehensive when you started and I’m not sad to see you go. You brought some amazing highs and some incredible lows. And through it all, I’m glad that you were.

Thank you for all of the above,

Crystal

[Tweet “Dear 2015, You were…”]

 

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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Merry Christmas
In Review // December

15 comments

  1. Rachel G says:
    December 28, 2015 at 8:11 am

    The ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ are what make for a life worth telling the story of, right?

    Reply
  2. jennyb says:
    December 28, 2015 at 10:07 am

    Sounds like you had lots of ups and down this year. Glad you got through it ok. And I love your doggy pics. So cute.

    Reply
  3. Murielle Marie says:
    December 28, 2015 at 10:17 am

    Hello Crystal, I really love how you’ve written to 2015 here. It’s so powerful to reflect about what has passed when a new year is upon us, isn’t it? Beautiful moments, learnings and adventures, I can tell šŸ™‚ I always write the year and my former self a letter too, and I inspire my program students to do so as well. It’s so powerful. Thank you for sharing and may 2016 be a wonderful year for you <3

    Reply
  4. Cara says:
    December 28, 2015 at 3:58 pm

    It’s always nice to look back on the past year and reflect on everything you learned and accomplished. In the day to day grind we forget all the things that occur over a year’s time, but it truly is amazing to look back on.

    Reply
  5. Aishwarya S says:
    December 28, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    This is such a lovely way to say adieu to 2015. I loved how you’ve expressed so much in so little words! šŸ™‚

    Reply
  6. Angela Tolsma says:
    December 28, 2015 at 4:18 pm

    love the concept of this post! 2015 was a beautiful year for me and I hope next year is amazing for you!

    Reply
  7. Erica says:
    December 28, 2015 at 4:20 pm

    Sometimes the most unexpected, unpredictable, and scary times in our lives turn out to be the beginning of the best times of our life. šŸ˜‰ I’m happy that I got to follow you through your journey in 2015, and I can’t wait to see what 2016 brings you. šŸ™‚

    Reply
  8. Annie says:
    December 28, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    Beautiful post. Sounds like, though good and bad, it was a good year for you! Here’s to an even better one!

    Reply
  9. Cheryl Collett says:
    December 28, 2015 at 8:43 pm

    Crystal: Love all the photos and the little poetic writing. It was similar for me as well. Happy 2016

    Reply
  10. Shelly says:
    December 28, 2015 at 9:17 pm

    So beautifully written! I can relate to much of it. I think these days are pretty high and low for most of us. While we all work on happiness and joy and prosperity, there’s no denying that times are tough right now…physically, emotionally, collectively, economically, etc.

    I hope you have a wonderful 2016 šŸ™‚

    Reply
  11. Branson @ My Reflection of Something says:
    December 29, 2015 at 12:14 am

    I can totally relate to this. I am not sad to see this year go either. It was not a BAD year, but it is time to move on! šŸ˜‰

    Reply
  12. Chiara says:
    December 29, 2015 at 12:21 am

    I love this post. I always get so sentimental during this time of the year. i love to look back and say wow…what a year. 2015 was such a BIG year for me. Lots of love…A LOT of lost…a lot of despair and hope…and a lot of emotions I can’t really sum up. Thanks for this post and inspiration to do one of my own!

    Reply
  13. Sarah says:
    December 29, 2015 at 1:32 am

    I love this! 2015 was certainly a year of ups and downs for me but it is one that I will never forget!

    Reply
  14. Ashley says:
    December 29, 2015 at 5:55 am

    2015 has left me with wonderful memories. Unfortunately not all have been a piece of cake. I’m hoping 2016 brings lots of amazing changes and adventures!

    Reply
  15. Lexi says:
    December 29, 2015 at 6:13 pm

    Sounds like an exciting year! Here’s to wishing 2016 is more adventurous than 2015

    Reply

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. šŸ’™
Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. ā€œThe water looks cold,ā€ I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. šŸ˜‚)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. šŸ˜ PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
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