Karen Main

Lead a Life you Design and Love

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2013 the year I decided to courageously unfold my crumpled wings

January 1, 2014 By Karen Main 41 Comments

Was it only one short year ago I quietly sat sipping my tea and contemplating my goals for the 2013  year?

The looming new year ignites many random notions, ideas and feelings and I have a precious little note-book I use to record them.  Scrawling them down and capturing those valuable thoughts on goals and personal growth to be revised and revisited as needed throughout the year.

The added value of this notebook is the opportunity to reflect on all my previous years notes and how reality unfolded in comparison.

As I flick though the notes I made, one year ago today, the words BE COURAGEOUS leap off the page.

Courage

2013 was the year I courageously unfolded my crumpled wings.  The very delicate, sparkly parts of me I had unknowingly tucked away several years ago.

Once I  began to expand them so began a journey, a new chapter and a time in my life when I began to soar to previously unimaginable personal heights.

As promised, in my very first blog post, on May 9th 2013, I was about to courageously step out into the arena.

Here is a snippet of what has happened here on my blog.……..

Made a video completely with my selfies

Challenged myself to walk 50km 

I admitted to being vain

Eaten a frog to share my most unusual time management tip

Spoken without words

Realised I may have celebrity potential

Challenged you all to dive into your hard drives and pull out a story

Captured Bliss for 31 days straight

Discovered the rewards of 3528 days or preparation

Embraced the marching forward of time

Completed 184 consecutive photos a day for my year-long, 365 day challenge.

Now I am not doing anything that thousands of others are not already doing.   I am writing, photographing and exposing my vulnerabilities online while opening myself up to critique.  Challenging myself physically, mentally and emotionally and sharing my struggles publicly.

Nothing new to the world and yet crazy scary and all very new for me.

I have been out of my comfort zone this year more than I have been in it.

I have experienced enormous growth and pushed through incredible self-doubt.

There have been mistakes made and many lessons learned.

I have jumped for joy and days later cried in despair.

As my notebook lies beside me, expectantly awaiting this years thoughts and scrawls, I want to offer a huge and heartfelt thank you to each and every person who has ever joined me here in my humble home on the web.

2013 has been more than I ever imagined and you have made that possible.

In 2014 dream big, grab onto your courage and leap out of that comfort zone.  There is some wild magic out there, trust me.

Happy New Year everyone.

Signature large photo Signaturelarge_zps82b3ad36.png

Filed Under: Outside your Comfort Zone Tagged With: courage, Growth, ideas, reflection

Comments

  1. Mo at Mocadeaux says

    January 1, 2014 at 1:11 pm

    It’s been quite a year! I’m so glad that we met, both having been inspired to take that leap of courage in Liv’s class. I’m looking forward to seeing where your journey takes you in the upcoming year! Before you know it we will be here again, reviewing the highlights of 2014!

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 2, 2014 at 10:12 am

      Mo I too love how we met, why we met and that we met. Love hanging out online with you and the other girls. Here we come 2014.

      Reply
  2. Stacey says

    January 1, 2014 at 6:22 pm

    Wow, Karen, you are so prolific and write so beautifully! I had no idea that you had only been blogging since May! If courage was your theme for 2013 and you accomplished this much, I can’t wait to hear what your theme is for next year. My theme for this year was “shine” and it lead me to start blogging this summer. Here’s to unfolding our wings! Happy New Year!

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 2, 2014 at 10:11 am

      Stacey thank you, it seems we were unfolding wings together as we blogged our way though 2013.
      Happy New Year.

      Reply
  3. Kim says

    January 2, 2014 at 2:08 am

    I am so glad that you took the opportunity to spread your wings in 2013; I am excited to see what 2014 posts bring!

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 2, 2014 at 10:10 am

      Kim, now I have my wings open the possibilities seem endless.

      Reply
  4. Tamara says

    January 2, 2014 at 2:26 am

    Eating the frog. I’m so intrigued by this post. You’re a beautiful thinker and writer. What a theme for 2013! So curious to what 2014 will bring you.

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 2, 2014 at 10:09 am

      Tamara eat the Frog was one of my more quirky posts and one of my favourites.
      2014 is shaping up to be quite exciting, all to be revealed here online for sure.
      By the way thanks for the comments tip, all sorted now I hope.

      Reply
  5. Ainsley says

    January 2, 2014 at 7:56 am

    Karen, Thank you so much for sharing your journey in 2013, from your courageous first step, through your triumphs, despairing lows and exciting discoveries you have made about yourself… Your way with words and your photography has been wonderful and I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of your journey. You have, as always have, inspired me to challenge myself, to put myself out there and enjoy the discomfort that being out of your comfort zone can bring. Have an awesome 2014, I am looking forward to what the year may bring for us all….
    Xx

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 2, 2014 at 10:07 am

      Ainsley you, my wonderful gorgeous friend have been one of the people who early on helped me discover the voice I now share. You embrace the world whole heartedly and your incredible achievements speak of this. Happy New Year to you and I hope 2014 brings us more opportunity to connect in person, I would love that.

      Reply
  6. Ashley says

    January 2, 2014 at 1:28 pm

    Thanks for linking up with me! Sometimes sharing can be uncomfortable, but we all have a story to tell. Keep up the great blog and good luck in 2014! I look forward to following your journey!

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 3, 2014 at 1:24 pm

      Ashley sharing has been exciting and scary and as i am discovering blogging seems to get even more fun all the time. So happy to join your linky and to also with you an amazingly wonderful 2014.

      Reply
  7. Tressie Davis says

    January 3, 2014 at 3:30 am

    Happy 2014 Karen – you are amazing!!!

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 3, 2014 at 1:22 pm

      Tressie Happy New Year wonderful lady and a big juicy delicious hug too.

      Reply
  8. Angie In My 30s says

    January 3, 2014 at 4:59 am

    great post!! You’re doing an awesome job 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 3, 2014 at 1:21 pm

      Thanks Angis so thrilled you stopped by and Happy New Year

      Reply
  9. Rachel Cotterill says

    January 3, 2014 at 6:30 am

    It sounds like a fantastic year! Here’s to even better things in 2014 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 3, 2014 at 1:20 pm

      Thanks Rachel, blog life seems to get better and better with age. Bring on 2014.

      Reply
  10. Michelle says

    January 3, 2014 at 12:27 pm

    What a wonderful post! Stepping out of your comfort zone can be hard, but it’s amazing when you see what you can accomplish, isn’t it?!! Happy 2014 Karen!

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 3, 2014 at 1:19 pm

      Thanks Michelle, I am looking forward to 2014 and using more of that delicious courage.
      A Happy Happy New Year to you too and a virtual hug to go with it.

      Reply
  11. Rebecca Flansburg "Franticmommy" says

    January 5, 2014 at 1:18 am

    Onward and Upward for 2014! It will be a great year for you and everyone 🙂 Stopping by from SITS Sharefest.

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 5, 2014 at 10:34 am

      Rebecca sounds perfect, onward and upward.
      So thrilled you stopped by.

      Reply
  12. Melissa says

    January 5, 2014 at 1:46 am

    What an inspiring post! I really love the title and the whole concept of taking something that was once closed and beginning to open it up. I feel like that’s what 2013 embodied for me too. Best wishes in 2014!

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 5, 2014 at 10:34 am

      Melissa so scary to open up our wings and yet so exciting. Sounds like you had an amazing 2013 too. Happy New year and heres to opening those wings more in 2014, I plan to.

      Reply
  13. Dawna says

    January 5, 2014 at 2:33 am

    Hello, Karen! Just dropping by from SITS for the first time this morning. I have to admit that your post made me smile. Such courage it took to do all those things. Yay for you! I am a new follower – following through my WP reader. Looking forward to following along and connecting more with you in 2014. May it be a wonderful year for you! <3

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 5, 2014 at 10:29 am

      Hi Dawna you have me smiling too, thanks for your kind words and I am utterly delighted to have a new follower. see you online very soon and Happy New Year

      Reply
  14. katie says

    January 5, 2014 at 6:49 am

    Really beautiful,Karen. It does take a lot of courage to live outside of ourselves. I am really looking forward to reading more of your insights and experiences in 2014! And I will definitely go back and look at some of those archive posts! All the best to you for 2104. 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 5, 2014 at 10:24 am

      Hi Katie so thrilled you stopped by and I wish you a an amazing 2014 too.

      Reply
  15. Erica says

    January 5, 2014 at 7:19 am

    Very inspiring post. Glad I decided to check out the SITS sharefest posts today. I shared it on Twitter. More people (including me) need to do what you are doing.

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 5, 2014 at 10:22 am

      Thanks Erica have an amazing 2014 and when in doubt imagine those wings spreading wide and soar.

      Reply
  16. Tami says

    January 5, 2014 at 1:39 pm

    I am adding your blog to my favourites. This post is so beautifully written, my heart is filled with warmth right now. You have done so much with this blog in such a short time…I am impressed and inspired. This year, I created a ‘Gratitude Journal’ for the first time and I am looking forward to recording the moments and memories that I never want to forget.

    Stopping by from the SITS Sharefest.
    Have a great weekend,
    Tami

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 5, 2014 at 8:30 pm

      Oh Tami words cannot express my delight with your kind words. I am very proud of my little home on the internet and to know it is appreciated means a lot.
      I love the idea of a gratitude journal, I have been a big journal writer for years and yet I often forget to be quite simply…grateful. Enjoy recording those moments.

      Reply
  17. Susan says

    January 7, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    You links look so intriguing. Going to have to put on a cup of tea and lose myself in your back posts. Definitely curious about Celebrity Potential 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 7, 2014 at 7:21 pm

      Susan, Oh yes a nice cuppa and a long read, I am with you.

      Reply
  18. Kelli Spencer says

    January 8, 2014 at 12:15 pm

    Love the look of your blog, and I too am intrigued by you posts. I will have to find some time to have a look see.

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 9, 2014 at 9:17 pm

      Ohh Kelli thank you for the gorgeous compliment. Hope you make it back for a peak soon.

      Reply
  19. Tiffany says

    January 9, 2014 at 6:16 am

    I really love the idea of hang a journal like that to look back on once the year is over, or even during the year to keep your ideas/plans/resolutions. This year I am doing the One Little Word project which will leave me something similar. While I am not scrapbooking my prompts like many, mine is more like a digital journal. I look forward to having something like this, this year to use to keep me accountable and as a reminder.

    Reply
  20. Terri Grothe says

    January 10, 2014 at 3:30 pm

    HI there, I am coming over from LBN on facebook, we have an incredible group of ladies on there that are more like family then strangers.

    I love your blog, so inviting and im glad to “meet” you my friend

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 10, 2014 at 4:37 pm

      Terri thanks for the visit, I feel very lucky to have stumbled across Tami as we have enjoyed some fun blog banter of late and to now meet this group sounds even more wonderful.

      Reply
  21. Monica says

    January 11, 2014 at 2:27 am

    I have so happy to have found you and follow along with your inspiring words in you beautiful space.

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      January 11, 2014 at 8:45 am

      Hi Monica and thank you.

      Reply

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Meet Karen

Karen Main is a Life Leadership Coach for people who are ready to make a change in their lives.
Through her coaching, workshops and speaking gigs she’s here to help you design a life you love — while making it all feel like a celebration.
And when she’s not working, you can find her indulging in a long walk with the dog, laughing with her kids or at her favourite yoga class Read More…

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