Happy new year reflections

Happy new year! I wanted to wish you all a wonderful start to the year and let you know how excited I am for the year ahead.

As many return from holidays this week, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my own break and share my thoughts on what is most important in the year ahead. As December unfolded, different states experienced different restrictions and I realise that I was very fortunate to make it to Queensland to visit my family in Gin Gin - about five hours north of Brisbane on the wide bay coast.

For people on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, or our family and friends living in Washington and California, the experience was so very different and I personally have so much respect for how people handled the different situations they faced. I felt very grateful that our family didn’t face a lockdown or any major changes of vacation plans and I know many were not this fortunate - holidays can be stressful at the best of times, particularly if separated from family and friends. In amongst all that is going on, this felt like one of the most grounded and restful breaks I have had in a long time. What a treat for me to spend two full weeks on the family farm.

Being one state away and with my immediate family was such a simple vacation - no jetlag, no plane, just a duffel bag, our family wagon and the possibility of time together 24/7. You may be wondering what can you possibly do on a cattle property every day for two weeks (I know my husband asks that all the time!). Yes it is a new space, often repetitive and very simple life - but it’s these things that I loved the most during this time, especially given how much I have seen the four walls of my home office the past ten months. There were so many highlights – watching my daughters do about 4 hours of horse riding every day, learning how to drive new machinery in the brand new 8-gear cattle moving truck and making meals for the 18 extended family members who show up on the farm for lunch and dinner. All of these things definitely gave me a different type of achievement and success compared to my every day.

Two weeks is probably the longest time I have spent on our family farm since my university study days. It was an incredible opportunity for connection with so many of my family that mean a lot to me. Looking back on the holidays, I realise now how much I needed the break from the home office, virtual calls and business meetings. There is no doubt about it, I totally love what I do but I also feel like I thoroughly enjoyed the time for my own wellbeing and reconnecting with my close family. It was certainly a good reminder for us all to truly check out and take the time off.

This week also marks my five years back in Australia after 18 years in the United States. This was a significant step for me as it was not just working at Microsoft but also returning to my ‘home’ country with my American husband and Seattle-born girls. Five years have gone so fast, and I am so thankful that Microsoft has provided me with the opportunity to move back to Australia, have a new career experience in the field and be closer to my parents. Time has gone so quickly so it will mean that in 2021 I am even more conscious of making every moment count. I was reminded of this with the events that unfolded in the US Capitol last week. There is no simple answer but I am striving to learn more by reading widely about how the situation arose, and what can be done to restore calm.

For me, the start of a new year is time to reflect on the past, but more importantly to work out the priorities for the future. From what I have learnt over the past year, I will continue to think about connecting with others, being more in the moment and adapting to whatever situation I find myself in - and ensuring I am balancing out the wellbeing by having fun.

A new year brings optimism for what’s in front of us and a renewed opportunity to support each other and achieve some amazing things. I’m keen to hear about your holiday experience and your aspirations for the year ahead. I hope you were all able to enjoy a break over the holiday season and find your own moments for reflection and personal wellbeing.