REFLECTING ON 2022
Happy New Year babes! Can I still say that? Even though we’re pretty much two weeks into 2023?
How wild is it that we’re already here… 2023!! Let’s do the damn thing!
I don’t know about you, but my Instagram feed has been flooded with 2022 reflection posts + reels which I love watching and, more than that, I’ve loved creating those year end highlight reels myself. It’s an amazing opportunity to look at all the fun, adventures + growth that has happened in just 365 days.
Let’s be honest though, those 15-60 second videos are definitely an opportunity to show all the magical, shiny moments of the year (most of the time), let’s still be true that life has growing pains, challenges and is constantly full of highs and lows.
I was all set to make my first blog post of 2023 by reading list from last year with all of my book recommendations, but thought a 2022 reflection was more appropriate.
My word that I set for myself for 2022 was EXPANSION.
My 2021 was an absolute dumpster fire of a year so 2022 was looking for one hell of an up level in all areas, and you know what? I crushed it.
📍Carefree, AZ
Now, that’s not to say that 2022 was easy breezy. It sure had some rough patches and some big learning lessons. That’s what makes life the adventure that it is, right?
I really had to learn (and to be honest, still learning) how to move forward, as best I could, after losing my Dad in September 2021. I was navigating my first 365 days without this very special human and it sucked. BUT I’ve experienced a big loss before (my brother, in 2004) and learned how to propel myself forward throughout some very integral years of my life- a new city, University and the early years of my career. We can do hard things.
As I write this, I’m wearing a cute Spiritual Gangster shirt that says ‘WARRIOR’- I found it at CIVANA and just had to have it!
Back to EXPANSION.
Well, first things first- in January we expanded our little family with the sweetest addition…. Riley!
Matt pulled out all the stops for my 36th Birthday last year from a surprise weekend at a cottage with all of our best friends, a super fun dinner party at our house and THEN surprised me with a puppy! Like really, come onnnnnn. Sweet Riley, a Mini Australian Shepard was the most incredible birthday surprise and has brought me so much love + happiness during an emotional time of transition.
📍HOME
Last year also brought some really remarkable travel and adventure, which was a welcomed change after the previous two years that were very… local. Lol.
I kicked off my 2022 Travel Diaries in LA with my BFF Rachelle, followed by NYC with Matt for an absolutely epiccc surprise for my sis-in-law’s 30th birthday (gosh her face was priceless!), back to my hometown Winnipeg for a very special celebration of my Dad, an unexpected 24hours in NYC on our way to spectacular Portugal (my first time!!), Mexico to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary and then brought it home with a game changing trip to Arizona.
I just got chills re-watching all of these Travel Diaries, what a line up! I feel so grateful for all of those special trips, with special people.
Last year also brought some gains + losses in our business with our team, inclusive of quality lessons we learned along the way. We also brought on, for the first time ever, a Chief of Staff, Dani who has been an absolute angel to work with and watch HER grow + flourish as well. So many big things ahead!
We launched some new things at our gym, BENCHMARK FITNESS in Burlington, ON and I even tried a short stint in Business Development for a wine agency- you guys know I LOVE wine but ultimately the sales side of things was not for me.
It actually created a wonderful perspective for me and how I redesigned my schedule between the work I do and growth I’m looking to create (insert ‘expansion’ perspective here) for both our gym and the Inspire + Move brand.
Meet Dani, our Chief of Staff (such a gem)!
So this is blog post is getting much longer than originally planned but I can’t not include the absolute MAGIC and smashing SUCCESS that was this year’s WOMEN INSPIRING WOMEN. Holy Smokes you guys what an event that was!!
It was only the second year for the event and not only was it bigger + better than year one (always my goal) but we 3x the guest list to have an even GREATER impact!
This also meant that it got us closer to our big fundraising goal for the Pigden Family Foundation, a foundation I’m working on starting in honor of my Dad and Brother. I will never forget sitting on a pool chair in Mexico early September when Matt and I were at our favorite spot celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary… that I refreshed the ticket dashboard and saw the number I needed to see to hit my goal. * INSERT HAPPY TEARS! *
It was the most spectacular evening in all areas - the decor, the partners, the weather, the neutral dress code, the women and the magnetic ENERGY that filled our backyard. WOW.
I can’t wait to start working on our 2023 event!
(you can read more about WOMEN INSPIRING WOMEN here)
Here’s to another year that inspired change, growth and expansion.
Now let’s start 2023 with a bang and get ready to LEVEL UP!
