The Yes Year Doctrine

Sometimes a really really good idea gets legs and takes on a life of its own. Before you know it the idea has evolved past the original thought into something that feels almost beyond you and out of your control. This is exactly how I would describe the Yes Year concept. If you've read my blog prior you'll be aware of one reoccurring theme.

I'm turning 30 this year. And its a big deal.

I'll be saying goodbye to the years of me at the bars every weekend, hanging out in McDonalds playground slides on the drunken walk home (see below) and partying at the House on the Hill until wee hours of the morning.

Now it will be years of family filled bbq's every weekend, hanging out in the McDonalds playground with little ones using the slide - not me, and get togethers in the early evening in the house my husband and I own. And I'm ready to bring it on.

ALMOST.

But there is some stuff that needs to get done. Some selfish, probably shouldn't be spending the money when I could be saving it, once in a lifetime, always meant to get around to it but never signed up stuff. Enter Sarah and the Yes Year.

One day at a pub over drinks Sarah (recently married to my husbands best friend and facing the same struggles regarding wanting kids and wanting to wait) said to me "We're going to make this a Yes Year"

What? Interesting? Whats a Yes Year. Tell me more.

"Yes Year. Were just going to take a year for ourselves before we start the rest of our lives. And were going to just say yes to everything. Were going to do as much as we can and enjoy our newlywed life and say yes to plans we want to do without worrying about it"

This - I say - is genius. Why attach an automatic guilt to every decision about how you spend your time and money in the first year of your wedded bliss when you don't have the responsibilities adding up yet? Why not just tell yourself, this is time for you and take it all in. AND DO IT. So it was decided. Over a pint of some beer we shouldn't have been drinking and food we probably shouldn't have been eating. Lets make this year about us.

Our summer trip to Las Vegas was the kick off.  Not feeling guilty about spending four days this summer VIP drinking, outlet shopping and gambling was the obvious first stop on our Yes Year tour. Why stop on long distance trips though? Sarah and husband had never skied the mountains so we booked a Friday off work we took off on the three hour drive for a beautiful weekend carving down Marmot and partying in downtown Jasper.

But here is where the Yes Year took a completely unexpected twist. Turns out, when it comes to doing something outside of your comfort zone that costs money you shouldn't spend and is about you, what we wanted to do was - physical activity?

Team sports are something I've never done. The fear of disappointing a team of peers with my lack of athletic ability has always held me back, but signing up for dodgeball was a leap of faith and it had instant gratification. It spiraled. Another season of dodgeball, YES. Join kickball too? YES. You know another thing I love but dont treat myself too - Yoga. YES. I've always wanted to do a 5k run called Color me Rad. And it's coming to town. Should we sign up. Well, duh. YES! And now I'm training for a 5k and going to workout classes, and playing team sports and being the best version of me that fear and self doubt have stopped me from being before. When you remove the idea of saying no - you realize how many things you WANT to do. Who knew?

So here here to the Yes Year, and all the fantastic and amazing memories of a year of selfish self indulgent bliss. 2013, I love you already.