I know we still have some time to go in 2011, but I wanted to get some stuff down before I forget. 2011 has been a very big year for me. At the beginning of the year, I opted significant changes in my life.
First, I decided to change my job. And although it's taken me the better part of a year to extricate myself from Music and Film in Motion, I am feeling so great about the decision I made. Thankfully I am surrounded by great friends and now partners, who have decided to take the leap of faith with me into entrepreneurialism. The decision to leave MFM begat the idea to launch Copperworks Consulting! Which has been pretty awesome so far.
Secondly, knowing that I was quitting my job to start a new business, I needed to get things in order around the home front. I had already been looking to move but I changed direction entirely in what I was looking for. Instead of a bigger house, I opted for a duplex and living in one of the apartments. This meant downsizing instead of upsizing, and I couldn't be happier with my choice. I purged SO much. Baggage I had been carting around for years and years. I had a pretty small, little house. I was amazed by how much crap founds its way into the house.
Downsizing was a conscious decision. I live alone, why do I need a big house all to myself? In terms of wasting resources it's pretty brutal. It's also changed a lot of how I think about my own consumerism. I am now quite limited in what I can put in my home, so I am constantly forced to rethink purchases. It's fantastic! It's also lead to a decision not to buy into the craziness of the holidays this year. No gifts!!! I'm not buying anyone anything, and I have told everyone not to buy me anything. It's so liberating. Witnessing the oncoming madness of Black Friday and Cyber Monday is fantastic! Not having to deal with the stress of of the holiday buying season, even before it starts, is really a great feeling.
Thirdly, this year I found love. And although it wasn't meant to be, and I am now single again, it was a really incredible experience. I met and fell in love with a fantastic woman and in return I was loved. It's a pretty amazing thing! I truly hope she remains a part of my life, and finds the happiness she deserves.
Fourthly, I made an incredible friendship with someone I've know for a few years now. Working together he quickly became an important adviser and confidante in matters both personal and professional. It's not often you make a new, super tight friend, someone you know has your back.
There were times that were really difficult this year. Telling my mentor of the past 11 years that I was leaving my job would be right up there. Work was no breeze this year with replacing half of the staff at MFM, it meant no vacation time for me. Non-stop travel, which while exciting and fun and both for work and pleasure, it meant being away from home ALOT! With all of the change I was undertaking this year, it meant a lot of juggling which at times was almost overwhelming.
Despite the difficulties, I feel blessed. After the really shitty years of 2009 and 2010, 2011 was a year of discovery. I learned so much about myself this year, that I regret nothing. I have a roof over my head, a car, a dog, family and friends that I love and love me, food in my belly, toys to play with. What more can one man ask for?
