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20152015. Whoa!

That’s about the only word I can use to describe the past 12 months. Whoa. What a crazy and beautiful ride it has been.

In fact, looking back to put this post together has actually allowed me to really take it all in. 2015, you glorious gem of months and days lined up to be one of my best yet. I can say that with absolute confidence!

Here’s a snapshot of the beautiful year that was:

 

Events + Speaking

2015 was a pretty big year for events for this little introvert. I don’t go to a lot of events, but when I do, I am pretty particular about what I go to and the intention behind it.

SO YOU WANNA BE AN AUTHOR WRITING WORKSHOP

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First up for the year was So You Wanna Be An Author hosted by the wonderful Tara Bliss. It has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid to write a book, and this workshop gave me all the tools and motivation to get started on that.

What a magical day of connecting with others and learning about Tara’s journey and her best tips to writing your first book.

Read all about it here.

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INSPIRED WELLNESS EVENT

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I had my first paid speaking gig at the Inspired Wellness event in March. I got the opportunity to share my story from unfulfilled television freelancer to overjoyed solopreneur and coach to a room full of women and it actually made me realise how much I love public speaking and want to do more of it in 2016.

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SUMMER SELF LOVE CELEBRATION WITH NITIKA CHOPRA

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IMG_2573My first overseas event and it was CRAZY! Think of a beautiful venue chock full of women getting treated to manicures, energy readings, and all sorts of other things. Goodies galore, and surrounded by some of my favourite women… but I mostly stuck to the corners of the room and got more joy out of taking photos with my gorgeous friends in the pink hallway (not gonna lie).

Top photo from Nitika Chopra
Bottom photo from Jade McKenzie

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MARIANNE WILLIAMSON

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I don’t think I even got around to writing about this event, but it has become one of the highlights of 2015 for me.

Firstly, because of the way it transpired. I hadn’t bought tickets, in fact, I hadn’t even considered going. And then, a couple of days out from Marianne’s Sydney workshop, I had a sudden urge to go. I remembered a friend was selling a ticket in a Facebook group I’m in and I asked if it was still available, only to be told by another coach that it had been sold but she had a spare ticket and was looking for someone to go with and would I want her spare ticket.

I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to go because I wasn’t going to have a car but, as these things work out, the event was being held two train stops away from my house.

Have you ever felt like you’re just supposed to be somewhere when you arrive? That’s how I felt. At the time, I had no idea why, but I felt there was a reason it had all worked out that way. And now I know that it was to open my eyes up to some REALLY important things in my relationship that I needed to work on and played a huge part in the transformation of my relationship this year.

Oh so grateful for gifts and serendipitous moments like this.

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CHANGE YOUR ENERGY, CHANGE YOUR LIFE WITH BELINDA DAVIDSON

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I helped out my lovely friend Jade at Belinda’s Sydney event in July and got the chance to hear a little more of her story and what she does and, wow, was I impressed. Belinda’s pragmatic and grounded attitude about abilities that could be considered pretty spiritual and maybe even a little woo-woo were both refreshing and eye-opening.

Her chakra meditation is a game-changer and I’m so glad that I got the chance to see a little more into what she does and how she explains and understands how our energy works.

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Beautiful You Coaching Academy

ASSISTANT TRAINER

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Becoming an Assistant Trainer for the Beautiful You Coaching Academy was a goal that I set for myself in 2014. Being one of Julie’s assistant trainers has been such a life-changing experience for me as I’ve had the opportunity to share what I’ve learned with all the new coaches, from a different perspective than our fearless (and extraverted) leader!

It turns out, that’s why she chose me in the first place, and it’s been such a beautiful journey with Julie, Sue, Jade, and Johanna this year, and all the trainees that I’ve had the immense pleasure of meeting and working with.

Want to know more about the course? Head over here.

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INSPIRATION DAYS

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Probably my favourite thing that Julie has added to the Beautiful You course this year are the Inspiration Days. A chance for trainees and graduates of the course to get together, be inspired, and connect with each other.

I think it’s fair to say, these days have been the highlight of 2015 for me, with our first one in New York City in June. The buzz in the room, the incredible speakers, and – oh yeah – being in NEW YORK, just made it one of those ‘pinch me’ moments.

– NEW YORK –

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– MELBOURNE –
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Being asked to speak on a panel specifically about being an introverted coach was such an honour for me. To share my experiences and best tips on a subject that I’m so passionate about in a room full of coaches (a lot of whom identify as being introverts) was oh-so special for me.

Not to mention getting to hear Lisa Messenger speak (another goal I’d had for 2015) and meeting her in person.

I so can’t wait for these events next year!

Read more about the New York Inspiration Day here.

Read more about the Melbourne Inspiration Day here.

 


Travel

2015 was a HUGE year of travel for me. Two international trips and seven domestic trips to Brisbane, Melbourne, and the Gold Coast, phew, epic. If only my packing skills were improving as a result of this (they aren’t!).

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In May, I spent some time with my sister and my wonderful Beautiful You family in Melbourne and Daylesford. Sometimes I can’t believe how lucky I am to have such gorgeous souls in my life.

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NEW YORK

Oh New York! This trip was one of those turning points in my life and business, if I’m honest. When I went to NYC in 2013, I was about to launch my business and thought it would be a LONG time until I could afford to go back.

But I took a massive leap by booking a ticket and trusting that it would all work out. And I’m so glad that I did that.

With my trusty travelling buddy, Sue of Smile Chickie, we had an absolute blast in New York and I really started to see what I was capable of in my business.

Here are a few of my favourite pics from our week in NYC:

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HAWAII

Another spur of the moment decision was to go with Bailey to Hawaii while he competed in a weekend of Spartan races. I, on the other hand, drank coffee and hung out at the beach. It was our first overseas trip together (in nearly 8 years, can you believe it?!) and, although Hawaii was not as high on my list of places, it’s become one of my favourites.

Could not get bored of this glorious place.

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Turning 30

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This year I turned 30. In true introvert style, I didn’t do anything (parties, ick!) but I did learn a

lot! Or I realised how much I’ve learned. Or I realised how much I’ve learned but also how much I don’t know.

I wrote a post about it.

You can read it here.

It turns out, I’m still silly, I still pull faces in photos, and I’m probably never going to successfully organise birthday plans.

 


Catch Ups

It was a big year of catching up with people through all sorts of catch ups. Going home for my best friend’s baby shower. Blogger catch ups. Coaches catch ups. TV friend hangs. And family time too.

The thing is, I usually forget to take photos because I’m so busy just being in the moment. I have a love/hate relationship with this, because I love the idea of presence, but it makes me sad when I don’t have photos for my more sentimental side.

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A Month At the Gold Coast

I spend November at the Gold Coast and am now officially obsessed with moving there. I took the month off my biz to work on a show that films in the Australian ‘jungle’, mostly for the 24-hour catering and beachside living with some of my besties.

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Oprah

Oh my gosh, Oprah. What can I say, really?

She was everything I expected and more? Yes. I couldn’t have seen it with anyone else than the Beautiful You Beauties that I saw her with? Yes. I will be forever changed by the words that she spoke that night and the impact that her presence has made on me? Yes.

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If you’ve made it this far, I commend you! It’s a long one and haven’t even mentioned all the amazing things that happened in my business in 2015. So that will have to be Part 2!

Some of the biggest things I’ve learned this year have been:

// If you really want to do something but you’re worried about the money, do it. The money will come.

// Travelling can be stressful (especially if you like alone time and your comfy home pants), but it is the most wonderful and rewarding thing of all.

// Friends are the greatest. Especially if you have great friends.

// Communication is key.

// Every moment, every encounter is an opportunity to learn something.

// Oprah is everything you’d expect (and so much more).

// Gratitude and acknowledging even the smallest of things does wonders for your mood, your happiness, and what you receive in your life.

// Setting intentions is powerful. Even if they are spur of the moment ones, if they have the right energy behind them, the most incredible things can happen.

// There are a lot of introverts out there. With a lot of questions.

// My life is full of extraordinary people and the most supportive, loving, encouraging women. Can you see the running theme in this highlights reel? They mean oh-so much.

// Leaving the house sometimes seems like a bad idea, but it rarely is.

Okay so I guess part two will be coming to you ASAP with all the highlights from my business in 2015. I’m pretty excited to see what comes out of that one!

This has been such a wonderful way to remember and celebrate the year, let me know in the comments below some of your greatest moments – or if you’ve written a post, a link to it so I can check it out!

 

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Comments

7 Comments

  1. Jade @ eventhead

    YAY!!! What an amazing year, I so love that I got to share it with you. Now come book flights to the Gold Coast with me in Jan ha ha. Love you xx

    Reply
  2. Naomi Arnold

    Ohhh what a year you’ve had! Looking forward to reading Part 2! x

    Reply
    • Katherine Mackenzie-Smith

      Thank you, lovely! It’s been a big one for you as well! Let’s make time in 2016 for a champers to celebrate 😉

      Reply
  3. Christine Barnes

    Here’s a virtual toast & congratulations on such a fantastic year! The Inspiration Day was truly magical & I’m already looking forward to this year’s event.

    Reply
    • Katherine Mackenzie-Smith

      Magical is definitely the word to use! I’m working hard to get to the San Fran day, it will be wonderful!!

      Reply
  4. Chloe | One Infinite Life

    Wow Katherine! What an AMAZING year. I loved getting an insight into what 2015 was like for you. I absolutely loved this lesson: “Every moment, every encounter is an opportunity to learn something” so true! And of course the one on gratitude 😉

    Reply

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