Today marks November 13 and I am heading into my last two Portland weeks of the year.
It feels a little early to me to wrap up this year and get into the holiday mood but due to the fact that we will spend the month of December in Germany my Portlandia-Year 2017 will officially end on Thanksgiving. Crazy.
My new favorite thing to do called Motherhood has taught me many things but here is one: If you think you have time do something right now, you better get it done right away as you never know when the next “now” will be. Sometimes it’s just NOW or NEVER.
So, let’s look back:
2017 was definitely a very special year for me and so different from all the other years before. I didn’t really know what to expect but I also didn’t have time to think about it heading into it as I was still working my old job.
A year ago, I had just found out I was pregnant and I can’t say that I was too excited about it. I did feel well but not great. I had no idea what my life would look like having a baby. First and for most I was scared I wouldn’t be able to do things I love and want to do anymore. That’s why it felt best to me not to make any plans or commitments.
The only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to write a book.
A book to express my gratitude and say thank you to the event industry and everybody else who has helped me to get where I am today. But even more, a book to give forward to the next generation. I wanted to write a book for young professionals that guides them through the jungle of opportunities in the world they live in and helps to be successful in business and in life in general.
I thought I knew what I wanted to say and I just needed to put in on paper and call it day. Oh well, lesson learned, girl. Life made me test and go through EVERY CHAPTER again before I could start typing it down. As challenging as it was, it made me realize once how much I like to publish my book: GO.SEE.DO. – 10 quotes to live by as a young professional.
The first couple weeks after leaving my job beginning of the year told me that LIFE BEGINS AT THE END OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. It wasn’t an easy decision for me to leave the company and in industry that has shaped me so much and that I still feel very connected to but I cannot believe how fueled by inspirations, opportunities, ideas I was and I still am since I stopped working. Although I was pregnant I felt as light as a feather and as inspired as a kid in a candy store.
I needed to LISTEN TO MY HEART to find out what I really like to do in life. It sounds easy but it isn’t at all because you have to be bloody honest with yourself. It is still a journey to find it out and I am not sure it will ever end, but I already know that I am made to work with good people. I am a team player and social butterfly gifted with entrepreneurial spirit. I can see business opportunities in creative ideas, I can connect people and the community they live in and it brings me joy to be successful and to help others to be successful, too. I have a deep passion for sports and fitness and love the lifestyle that comes with it #sneakerlover #getoutthere #letsruntogether #teamwork #letshaveadrink
In addition to that I had to experience what “IT’S OK” means and to give yourself time when your body needs a break or when your little one needs your attention and you can’t proceed with your to do list as planned. I realized that your own health as well as the health of your family is one of your biggest gifts and you shouldn’t mess with it.
My beloved quote MAKE IT OR BREAK IT kept my accountable to write the book whenever I got too distracted by involving myself in other projects.
My daughter turned out to be my favorite project in the world. I am not sure that event management and motherhood are the best combination for the future but I am sure that event management is the best preparation for motherhood. Babies are sometimes a little bit like clients: They don’t say thank you, they don’t say please, they change their mind all the time, whenever you think you have figured it out, they want a new innovation. Change is their only constant. Nonetheless YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO AND DO WHAT YOU LOVE being their mom.
I am grateful for all my friends and new people who came into my life and it experienced once more that YOU HAVE TO BE A FRIEND TO HAVE A FRIEND. If you like to take when you are in need you have to give back whenever you can. I am humbled by all the friendship I have experienced this year and I feel blessed to call Portland our home.
Taking all these different aspects and learning into account I couldn’t be happier about all changes brought to me by this year and where I am today. Also, I do look forward to everything that’s in for me in the new year. Life is good.
To BE REAL, I am also a little scared again and I respect what’s laying ahead of me. My plan is to start my own business #exciting and I will finally publish my book. I hope it will BE SO GOOD THEY CAN’T IGNORE IT.
That being said I hope you all get the chance to reflect on what 2017 meant to you as well as think about everything that awaits you in 2018. Many of my dear friends have a lot of changes coming up but if I have learned one thing last year than it’s that easy: TRUST THE TIMING OF YOUR LIFE.
Happy Holidays and See You Soon.
GO.SEE.DO.
Love,
Maika
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