- I got married to my wonderful husband, who also had a big year: graduating from law school, passing the bar, and landing a challenging but not overwhelming new job at a small firm.
- I moved back home. Four years ago, when I ran away screaming from my home state, I would have never put moving back in the "successes" column. But now, a few years older and wiser, I've learned that the grass really isn't greener. As hard as I tried to make the northeast work for myself, I ultimately concluded that the lifestyle here is just better: people are nicer, the pace is more relaxed, and there's a lot more nature. Moreover, I'm close to my family. A few years ago, I never would have placed a priority on family, but planning the wedding got me thinking a lot more about the future, and raising kids, and wanting them to be close to their extended relatives.
- I finished my first semester of law school and gained a lot more insight about where I want my career to go. I've been thinking a lot about the kind of environment I want to work in, and how this will fit in with my plans for a family, and it's really focused my goals in a particular area.
In terms of external successes, 2013 was a banner year, perhaps the best I've ever had. But as for self-improvement, I made a lot less progress, largely because of all the time spent pursuing extrinsic markers of success.
- Veganism was a false start -- the husband made it impossible again. But I'm attacking it with a renewed effort in 2014.
- Spirituality hit a dead-end. This was largely because I spent the bulk of the year in the deep south, where it's Baptist or bust. But I know there are some other spiritual groups in the college town where I now live, so I need to take advantage of some of those opportunities.
- Fitness was a mixed result. From April until August, the job where I worked had a very affordable gym for employees. I worked out like a fiend in preparation for the wedding, often 2-3 hours a day. But since the wedding I haven't been to the gym once. Apart from the occasional long walk to clear my head, I don't get nearly enough exercise (there aren't any treadmills in the law library), so I need to work on taking advantage of the fitness facilities at my university.
- Simplicity was also a mixed result. In the mad rush to pack things and move across the country, I got rid of a lot of stuff (junk). My family and friends were very generous in giving us wedding gifts, almost entirely things from the registry that we can actually use. I'm grateful to have higher quality things that should last a lifetime, but it also means that I'm stuck with them now. I suppose it's time to admit that I'm settled down and starting a family, so it's okay to have some furniture, but I still harbor this secret desire to give it all away and backpack across Asia.
So that was 2013. Later today I'll post a look ahead at 2014.
