Year in Review + Looking Ahead

2015 is hours away from coming to a close. This year, in a lot of ways, was a year of transformational growth for me. It was my first full year as a solopreneur and I’ve learned so much and grown in that time.

I wanted to create this space to reflect on all the things that happened this year, both personally and professionally, as well as address the successes and the learning opportunities (because there is no such thing as failure).

This year, I traveled to New York (twice), Las Vegas, Spain, Portugal, Seattle, the Oregon coast (x3), Charlotte, Denver and Los Angeles (twice). Half work, half play, these trips helped me imagine what I want my future to look like. Travel has always been my number one goal for becoming debt-free and I want to take advantage of being location independent and enjoy being semi-nomadic.

Professionally, this year far exceeded my expectations. It was the first time in my life that so many things surprised me. I surprised myself at what I was able to accomplish and I was surprised by what career opportunities came my way from seemingly insignificant or trivial interactions.

This year I co-hosted five brand events with companies that I’m proud to work with. I organized two blog tours, one of which was The Road to Financial Wellness, which was a huge passion project for me.

I’ve written countless articles this year for clients big and small. Not only that, but I’ve gone from writing articles for $25 to $75, to $200 to $400+ in the same year. It feels wild and crazy. Recently, when I raised my rates for several clients, I was surprised. All of them said yes, without flinching, and actually said I deserved it. One gave me a raise without asking.

I’m not saying this to brag, I’m saying this because earlier this year I had a limited idea of what was possible. I thought freelancers were supposed to struggle to find work and that getting well-paying work was a fluke or a thing of the past. Don’t believe the lies!

That’s not to say that the process was easy. I had to make tough cuts and jump off a metaphorical cliff, believing the process would work. But it did.

In addition to the events and writing, I was shocked to learn that I won Best Debt blog and also was featured as one of the most inspiring personal finance stories of the year.

I was also surprised that right after winning a Plutus award, I was contacted by a publisher to turn this blog into a book. I guess now is a good time as any, to tell you. I’ve kept quiet about it, as I’m still very much in the thick of it as we speak.

A part of me hates publishing all of this because so many good things happened this year. It seems kind of ridiculous. But I have worked for these things and they were not without their costs. Most of all, I am absolutely grateful for all the opportunities.

In the beginning of 2015, I said that my three words for this year were: bold, balance, and adventure.

I can definitely say I’ve had a ton of adventures and fun this year. I’ve been bold in ways that were uncomfortable or nerve-wracking and surprised myself on several occasions.

I completely sucked at balance. I was a crazy workaholic for most of the year, logging 60 to 70 hours most weeks. Which brings me to the downsides of this year (because as I said, everything has a cost)…

I worked entirely too much this year. The amount I worked took a real toll on my relationship, which I cherish, and also my physical and mental health. In January I had pneumonia and an ear infection. March brought a crazy bout of tonsilitis so bad I couldn’t swallow. November brought a random bug that left me immobile in bed.

I haven’t been sick three times in a year since I first started working with kids a decade ago. In addition to the illness, I felt so very fatigued. I experienced the real definition of fatigue. It’s more than just being tired. No amount of coffee or relaxation will help. It’s a deep exhaustion that lays thick in your bones, making it hard to move and do just about anything.

I’ve also been indolent as all get out. Exercising used to be part of my commute. I used to walk three miles a day and then bike eight miles a day. Remember, I don’t have a car.

Now that I work from home, my commute is ten feet away. I’ve barely exercised at all and have gained some weight. It may not be noticeable to anyone, but it is to me. But it’s not so much about that, but just feeling unhappy about my lack of physical exercise.

Mental health was also hit or miss. I do very well getting excited about the good times and opportunities, but let too many small things affect me. I’m a sensitive soul and sometimes get hurt over trivial shit that’s not really important. I also have a habit of over-analyzing things.

So, while 2015, by all looks and appearances — and in reality — was the best year yet, there are things I want to change, so I can live happy and healthy, and in love. I have no regrets about my career and love being my own boss, I just need to work really hard on the area I missed the mark on this year: balance.

I want to let go of unnecessary stress and way-too-high expectations of myself. I want to ditch the last remnants of the employee mentality and completely embrace the fact that I am my own boss. I want to have more spontaneity and not feel glued to the computer.

I have goals for my life and business, but I’m a bit goal’d out to rehash them here. I think sometimes when we focus so much on our resolutions and goals we forget to let life happen to us. Let life in. Savor the moments we haven’t planned.

What’s Next?

As I mentioned before, 2016 is going to be a big year — an expensive year. First of all, I’m moving back to Los Angeles in April. Long-time readers know that I’ve never loved Portland or felt like it was home. I’ve been longing for NYC or LA the whole time I’ve been here and that’s four years too long.

LA seemed like the right choice, as both of our families are there — and now my 93-year-old grandpa, who I only know through occasional visits, is there too. We have some catching up to do. Also, after living in gloomy Portland, I’m in desperate need for some sunshine.

I stayed in Portland all these years because ultimately it helped me pay off my debt quicker, because of the low-cost of living (despite the first few years of struggling to make it here).

Moving to Los Angeles will effectively double my rent. I know this sort of thing probably seems egregious to some in personal finance, especially because I can live anywhere. Why not choose somewhere with a low-cost of living?

All I can say is that LA and NYC are expensive for a reason and I can’t wait to go back. I am counting down the days. Paying more for rent will be worth it for my happiness and being close to family.

Approximately two weeks after I arrive in LA, I am going on a trip I’ve been dreaming of for years. My mom and I are going to Italy. She’s never gone abroad and we’ve discussed this for a long time, so I’m thrilled to make it a reality. It will be just us gals and I can’t wait to show her the world — because she is my world.

I’m also going to finish up this book and if all goes well, have it released later in the year.

So pretty much all of my previous debt payments will now go toward moving and saving for moving, going to Italy, increasing my rent, building up my emergency fund and investing.

It sounds exhausting and scary, but I’m debt-free now! I look forward to building and not just maintaining. I look forward to funding my future, not my past.

And letting go of some of the emotions, frustrations and setbacks of this year and be inspired by possibility for the new year.

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Melanie

Melanie Lockert is the founder of the blog and author of the book, Dear Debt. Through her blog, she chronicled her journey out of $81,000 in student loan debt. She is also the co-founder of the Lola Retreat, which helps bold women face their fears, own their dreams and figure out a plan to be in control of their finances. She is passionate about empowering women, helping others get out of debt, and focuses on the intersection of debt and mental health. Every September she organizes a Suicide Prevention Awareness Blog Tour, to help share resources for those struggling with debt and suicide. In addition to her love of personal finance, art and music, she is also a karaoke master and a cat mom to Miles and Thelonious.

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