Review of 2019 & Moving Forward
I’m having a really really good day over here and I am just relishing in it. You know those days that you get so many things checked off your check list and it’s only 11am? Yes, one of those days. I was just checking in with myself, like “hmm…maybe I should take a nap.” But, I’m not tired! Ahhh I love the second trimester. Instead, I sat down to write this blog…for the second time. I started it last week, and it was so good…and I didn’t save it. Gonezo. I was devastated, but I decided to put my computer down and the words would come to me another day in another way. Obviously that wasn’t the blog that was meant to get posted. Moving on.
So, today is that day! I love sitting down and looking at my year, don’t you?! I set goals, both personal and business, each year and it’s super fascinating to see how it all played out. I try to not judge the outcome to what I hoped would happen, but celebrate each progression and even the trials as they serve us. Even when we don’t understand. 2019 was definitely a year of both, as all years are.
2019
Last year, I focused on my business a lot, and enjoyed my family a lot. Through coaching, I realized I could have BOTH and still be a good mama. That was a cool revelation. Back to the beginning. In January, I hired my first employee, my sister Heidi to help with my social media. What a brain saver! (I’ve had many of those this year too, as you’ll see). I continued coaching, and growing my business, focusing on my goals. From Jan-April, our space went through a major renovation. I will share pictures below, but this is one of my favorite transformations of the year. We added another treatment room, have reception space, and welcome Alex Larson, with Hairitage Salon into the space. And it has been amazing. She is so fun, so talented, and a breeze to work with. I haven’t had a better partner and to honestly say that I have not gotten sick of her one bit is quite the amazing statement. In April, I also hired my first massage therapist, Johanna. She was wonderful, but sadly just moved to MN for her husbands job- and we miss her! In May I attended my first business retreat in Savannah, GA. I brought Ethan, but that city is the most beautiful one I’ve seen. Ethan and I would head out for morning walks and just revel at the beauty in the quiet streets. I also learned a lot from the women that were also my amazing coaches.
June was a learning month. We had our grand opening, which was super fun to finally get to invite people into our newly renovated space! And I hired…and fired a massage therapist. I don’t have any bad feelings about it, we just didn’t work out like we thought we would. And it served me well as a huge learning experience. The biggest thing it taught me was to narrow down what I am searching for in a massage therapist and that I have to set boundaries as an employer. It prompted me to get some much needed documents written up and to be much more specific when hiring. Heidi also moved away, so Trina hopped on board as social media planner and receptionist. I swear she has taken so much off of my brain. It is so amazing. I don’t know what I’d do without her anymore!
In July, we camped a lot. We took a long trip to the North Shore of MN that was the highlight of our summer. We spent time in Bay County, WI, then all the way up the shore to Grand Marais. It was the perfect summer vacation, spent family.
After our family vacation, we had decided to stay home and pay off debt for a couple of months. It turned out to work out perfectly, and you may know how satisfying it is to pay off debt! And right when we were getting comfortable. Matt got let go from his job. I wrote another blog post on that, when it was more raw called Change + Growth. But, I never updated you from that point. I am ALWAYS so thankful for my followers and audience here. But this experience had me even more grateful. The first thing I did when Matt got laid off was add as much availability to my schedule as possible. And you all came in, filled it in and took care of our little family. I am SO SO grateful for that, more than you’ll ever know. Matt also worked on the side for a few people, and then in early October he got hired at his new job, that is perfect for us right now. He is travelling for work, but because of that, he gets more hours, and a little more pay. Another win.
People often wonder how I do when he is on the road. Honestly, (like for real-no lies here), it has been going great. Don’t feel sorry for me! We chose this, and we are happy. The kids and I have our routine, and they do super well. Of course it took some adjusting, but we are good. And the fact that I have my business helps a lot.
So, Matt got his job in early October, I brought my schedule back down to what it normally is, and life went on. God’s timing is always perfect. I found out I was pregnant at the end of October. How crazy is that?! We paid off debt we needed to before Matt got laid off. I was able to work and feel great through the lay off, and then found out I was pregnant when we were back on our feet. It can be so easy to question Him, His plan for us, and what the heck he is thinking in moments. And then looking back…it’s perfect. He takes care of us.
In October, I also hired my 5th(!!!) employee of the year, Esther! She is a great massage therapist and has been a great addition to the Encompass Team! Everyone loves her touch and has been helped by her a lot. So, if you’ve been wondering, here is your nudge!
November was filled with events, and also was our biggest month ever financially. Crushing more goals, all because of you all.
And then…December. Such a fun month with Christmas, family and parties. And for us….finding out we’re having twins! WHAT?! I was completely shocked, and wasn’t excited at first, but the idea has sunk in now, and we are excited to meet them! I am thankful for the six months of planning I had when I found out. We also found out after Christmas that they are identical! They share a placenta, making this pregnancy a little more high risk, but we will trust God that it will be okay and that they will be healthy babes. I am hoping to find out the gender tomorrow, so stay tuned for that!!
What’s Next?
2020 is full of unknowns. It’s weird, because 2019 was so planned out with specific goals and milestones. One of the biggest things I learned in 2019 though, was that I can’t bang my head against a wall and make something happen. It will happen in its own time, if its meant to. Of course I can work towards my goals, but also working with flow, and as they come, is much much easier. It comes down to trusting God’s plan again, and that His timing is always perfect. So that’s what I am heading into 2020 with. Whatever happens is perfect, and if things don’t happen, that’s okay. I can still work and strive towards goals, but I am not going to stress out if some things don’t take shape.
Before 2019 ended, I was contemplating a new word for 2020. Randomly, self-care came into mind. And I think it’s perfect. I will need to lean in to taking care of myself and my babies this whole year. To ensure a healthy pregnancy, happy babies, happy mama, and happy toddlers. Having 5 kiddos under 5 will be no joke, but if I allow myself to relax and let people help me, we’ll be okay. It’s not self-care like massages and facials- though you know those will be involved too- but more of a simple self-care of what do I need today?
I still have goals that I want to reach, and a few things I want to make happen before babies come. Having employees is up in the air right now, but I hope it comes together because I would LOVE to have Encompass open through the summer to serve you. But I won’t bang my head on the wall to make it happen. It will work out if it’s meant.
As I know more, you’ll know more, but as of right now, my plan is to work January-April and then go on maternity leave May-September or October. This totally depends on how it’s going with babies. I will still be around on social media some, I’m sure, but just not working for a while.
WHEW! That was a loonng blog. Thank you for getting here and coming with me on that ride. It will be a crazy, fun, and tiring year, but the blessings will be amazing.
XOXO,
Nikki