2019 Year in Review
It’s honestly hard to believe that 2019 has come to a close. 2019 was a year I’ve looked forward to for a lot of my life. In high school, I thought of 2019 being so far away, but it would be the year I graduated college and I was taking the leap into the real world. In college, 2019 represented the conclusion of four years of hard work, stress, new experiences, memorable moments, and “the best four years of my life”.
2019 threw a lot my way and tested me in ways I’ve never been tested before. To me, 2019 was like being on a rollercoaster while blindfolded and wearing noise-canceling headphones. I had no idea where I was going or where I’d end up, and to say it was anxiety-inducing is an understatement.
I’m breaking my year down month-by-month to share my highlights, lowlights, and everything in between.
January
- I started off the year in Denver, CO. I spent my time out there working and taking one of the hardest fitness classes of my life because going from sea level to a mile above sea level does not allow for great workouts.
- I said goodbye to my best furry friend Tom. He was a shining light in my life for 6 months and was taken away from me way too soon. I miss him dearly, but he gave me Potato, and I’m so grateful for that.
- I started my final semester of college!
Blog posts:
- 2018 Year In Review
- I Want YOU To Actually Achieve Your Health & Fitness Goals
- The Workout Class That Almost Killed Me
February
- My houseplant addiction officially started…
- Celebrated Galentines Day a few days late with my two best friends at Café Strudel. We each had a mimosa and that was the strongest mimosa I’ve ever consumed. We were wasted by 11 AM… I swear there was more than just champagne and OJ in it.
- My mom came down for a weekend and we took a day trip up to Charlotte. I introduced her to the amazing world of IKEA, The Crepe Cellar, and Smelly Cat Coffeehouse.
Blog Posts:
- 14-Day Mindful Eating Challenge
- My Experience With The Happy Planner After 6 Months
- Coffee & Chit Chat No. 11
- IUD Experience Part 3: Three Months Later
March
- The houseplant addiction continues… and I finally started propagating my succulents which has now turned into a full-blown operation.
- Hello MIAMI!! I spent a week with my friends on the beach, getting drunk, and having a fantastic time. Although Spring Break 2k18 will never be topped, this one came in pretty close.
- I started a 2-week eczema detox diet to help me diagnose and figure out what was causing my awful eczema. 2 weeks full of only eating pears, oatmeal, potatoes, chicken, leeks, cabbage, tofu, and parsley… My eczema cleared up (WOOHOO!) which gave me insight into the cause.
Blog Posts:
April
- Potato disappeared for 2.5 weeks… That was probably one of the lowest points in my year. 3 months prior I lost Tom to a reckless driver and now I’d lost my only connection to him.
- Brad found the most amazing house for rent. We toured it and signed the lease the next day. This would be the start of our amazing future together.
- I took graduation photos with my best friend Katie. Hard to believe four years of college was about to be over.
Blog Posts:
- Healthy Spring Break Tips & Tricks
- Killer Upper Body Workout | #GrayLifeFitLife
- Graduation, Moving, & More Plants | Coffee & Chit Chat No. 12
May
- Brad and I moved into our new house! It was disgustingly dirty… y’all I had to vacuum the walls… I spent the first week cleaning, painting, and organizing.
- We adopted Basil two days after moving to our new house. We were probably a bit crazy for doing that.
- GRADUATION!!! Well, I didn’t actually attend my graduation ceremony and instead, my parents and brother came down for the weekend. We hung out, went hiking, and had way more fun than we would’ve had we gone to the 3-hour graduation ceremony…
- I saw The 1975 in concert for the first time and it was AMAZING. Thank you, Brad, for gifting me the most amazing weekend full of plant shopping, The Crepe Cellar, and The 1975 all in our favorite city, Charlotte, NC.
- I started CrossFit! The first step in a new direction for my fitness journey. I’ve never looked back!
June
- Built my hanging plant shelves. They’re still one of the best things I’ve ever made, and I love them!
- My eczema was the worst its ever been, and I reached my breaking point. I was determined to find a solution because being self-conscious and uncomfortable every single day of my life was not a fun way to live.
- Season 3 of the podcast!!!
Blog Posts:
July
- Happy 22nd birthday to me! It was a low-key birthday but I still enjoyed it. I got myself coffee and donuts, bought myself some new clothes, and went to dinner at Brad and my favorite Italian restaurant.
- Shared my desk setup on the blog, and it’s changed so much since then so I’m probably due for an update…
Blog Posts:
- A Freelancer’s Desk Setup
- Want To Start Your Own Podcast?
- Comprehensive Short Review: Tough Mode Women’s 3″ Short
- 3 Years Of Fitness
August
- Flew out to Denver, CO. I drove with my brother all the way from Denver, CO, to Knoxville, TN. We spent 19 hours in a car, and I hope to never do that again…
- I finally said “screw it” to finding a job and dove head-first into starting my own business. 100% scary but 100% would recommend.
Blog Posts:
September
- Made a really awesome wreath out of Dollar Tree kraft paper.
- Started taking daily Instagram photos… that lasted about a week LOL
- Celebrated Brad and I’s 2 year anniversary!
- Brad and I took our first real vacation to Folly Beach. We had an absolute blast, and 10/10 would do again. We spent our days on the beach, went out for brunch, met up with Brad’s friends, ate dinner at amazing places, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Blog Posts:
October
- Hello depression! After Brad and I got back from our amazing vacation, I became super depressed, anxious, and completely unmotivated. Luckily with the help of my doctor, we were able to increase the dosage on my anxiety meds and I became myself once again.
- Went to a Halloween party with all of my CrossFit friends. I had an absolute blast and my minimal witch costume was a hit!
- Season 4 of the podcast!!!
Blog Posts:
November
- I was still trying to get back to my old self after the major depressive episode in October.
- My friend Katie came to visit Columbia for the week, and she stayed with me for a few days. We hadn’t seen each other since graduation, and it was so nice catching up with her! Plus she surprised me with my favorite coffee and pastry from my go-to coffee shop here in Columbia 💕
- My bestie Jenna and I went to see The 1975 in Greenville, SC. They’re our absolute favorite band and we’ve been dying to see them together for years. We made it happen and was the best night ever! Subway, free cookies, cheap parking, and great seats. We were truly living our best lives.
- My parents came down the weekend before Thanksgiving to hang out and visit. They typically come down twice a year to spend the weekend, hang out, and catch up. It was so nice having them here and being able to just relax. They oh-so-graciously helped me put up my Christmas tree and make my house a bit more festive for the holidays!
- This was my first Thanksgiving away from my family, and it was kind of strange. For the past 21 years, Thanksgiving was essentially the kickoff to the holiday season, and I’m so used to how my family does Thanksgiving. It was interesting to see how different families celebrate. Overall it was fun, and I think spending Thanksgiving away from my family will make Thanksgiving next year that much more exciting!
Blog Posts:
December
- I was given the opportunity to assist my local Girl Scout office with a few of their programs, and I had an absolute blast! The first one was a gardening program and the second was a coding program. Getting girls involved in tech and STEM is extremely important to me, and I’m so thankful that I’m able to help girls in Columbia see the fun and excitement of tech!
- Of course, I can’t forget about Christmas! Brad came home with me for Christmas this year, and we spent an entire week with my family… needless to say, it was a lot. We had fun hanging out, drinking, eating way too much food, and just spending time together as a family. Now that my brother is in college and I no longer live in Knoxville, it’s a rare occasion when the entire family is together. So much fun, but Brad and I were definitely ready to get back to our regular routines.
Want to hear more about 2019 and everything that went on?? Well, you’re in luck! Caitlyn and I just released our ‘What Happened in 2019‘ podcast episode!
Thank you so much for being there and supporting me through 2019! It was a rollercoaster of emotions, but I made it through, and I’m so excited about what 2020 has to offer. I’m already planning out content and ways to balance my work, the blog, and my fitness. Hopefully, 2020 will be even better than 2019!
Happy New Year!
~abigail gray
