Truth is, the changes I made in the past year had been a long time coming. It's not as though I didn't like my life, but there was always the sense that there could be more life and less "just living." My child was going away to university, my body was reacting poorly to the stress I was under and through it all was the growing inertia in my relationship. Together, these scenarios compelled me to commit to a year of firsts. I vowed to be the woman who says yes to whatever fun landed in my lap, not the one who finds excuses to say no.

Among my blissful firsts: celebrating my only child's departure to university (a work in progress); running a 10K (I'd actually do it again); "enjoying" an underground caving expedition (it was lovely...ish); attending my first ballet (gorgeous, but I didn't really get it); and getting matching tattoos with my daughter (at her request).

Other firsts were much tougher. I took a good, hard look at my marriage and made the necessary changes. (I'm keeping the details private for now.) I also started taking medication, despite hating meds, for a new migraine condition.

I am happier now than I was last year, but I'm not done yet! I've discovered that people who will accommodate change and support my growth are precious; others will get used to it or get left behind. Having a plan is critical, but not as critical as having a que sera, sera attitude. The trick is to recognize a challenge and decide whether or not to take it up.

Read more inspiring stories about Canadians embracing a year of firsts. 
                                               

This story was originally titled "A Year of Firsts" in the January 2014 issue.             Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!