Mindful health and creativity. A 2010 wrap up.

Goodbye 2010. You've been great.

I went into this year hoping that I could live more mindfully, work on my health and try to encourage my creativity. I have had mixed success but generally this year has been a positive one.

I extended my stay in Tanzania by a year and accepted what it could give me. This included gaining improved job satisfaction and still maintaining a work life balance and managing to fit in a huge amount of travel; hiking in Ngorogoro Crater Highlands, visiting the Serengeti, visiting Mikumi National Park several times, an amazing trip to South Africa, numerous Zanzibar trips, whaleshark snorkling on Mafia Island and of course two trips home (I'm there right now!). I entertained guests and loved having them to visit.

I worked on my relationship to ensure that I could live mindfully in the moment rather than worrying about future things. I gave up drinking real tea for a while when it threatened to exacerbate my anxiety, worked on coping mechanisms for that anxiety and it really seems to have worked. I'm back to copious tea drinking (even if it is green) and I know how to manage my own feelings without breaking down. I share more and hide less. I think it has made me a nicer person.

I took control of my eating and exercise in a gentle way and feel healthier and more wholesome that I have in a while. I gave into the sleep monster that I have become and feel more human for it. I alternate between gyming, 30 day Shredding, swimming, walking the dog and doing nothing at all as I feel like. I gave yoga another try and could not keep it up. It's just not for me! I learned to take time for me regularly and not to apologise for it.

Creatively,I started experimenting with my camera more and doing some more writing. I definitely started cooking and baking a whole lot more (woe for my expanding waistline). So, while I haven't done as much as I'd like here I think I managed to start a pattern that I'd like to keep up and improve on.

I have some thoughts on what I'd like from 2011 which I'll share soon. Hope everyone is still enjoying the holiday season.