2017: The Year of Fearlessness

Some years I make resolutions for the new year and some years I don’t. Having just returned to the country 48 hours ago, I barely had enough time to unpack my luggage before that big balled dropped, signifying the end of 2016.

That’s a lie. I haven’t unpacked my duffel bag yet.

Resolutions. Goals. They’re all fluid, changing as constantly as running water gurgling in a stream. And just like that sparkling water, they can be tough to hang onto with your fingers. How can change be so hard yet so inevitable?

To be fair, I don’t fear change. I simply realize that it is a catalyst to potential discomfort. It’s human nature to avoid being uncomfortable, right? I mean, that is why so much of the world avoids international travel; it can be uncomfortable. Foreign languages you can’t understand; questions you don’t know how to answer; awkward situations; odd-tasting foods. None of this fits inside the “comfortable” circle on that mental chart we all have tucked away inside our brains.

But change is good. I’m a believer in change as a life necessity. Without it, we grow stale and stagnant. If we fear change too much, we become unable to see the world from any other perspective aside from our own. I don’t ever want to be that person, the individual who is so set in her ways that she can’t look beyond the mirror of her mind.

For 2017, I choose fearlessness. Click To Tweet

No resolutions for me this year. Instead, I took a cue from my dear friend Katie and opted for a single word to act as my 2017 mantra: fearless. This is the year that I will allow fearlessness to dictate my decisions in all walks of my life. I specifically chose this word for a myriad of reasons, many of which I won’t go into now. But as I said on my Instagram, I do know that 2017 is going to be a wild ride full of personal trust falls and blind landing-opportunities that leave me a touch nervous.

But that’s okay. It’s definitely okay to be nervous because I’ve got this. Come on, 2017. Let’s dance!

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5 Comments

  • Reply Julia at

    “I simply realize that it is a catalyst to potential discomfort.” That resonated with me! I’ve considered myself so scared of change for so long, but never been able to articulate it. Beautiful writing! Thank you!

  • Reply Anne at

    I’m honestly very curious to see what you choose to do, because I’m like “what in the world could Heather be afraid of, she climbs MOUNTAINS.” Excited to see what you have in store 🙂

    PS I’m still hoping for a Colorado Gal retreat/backpacking seminar at a yurt 😉

  • Reply Backpacking 101: It's Happening - Just a Colorado GalJust a Colorado Gal at

    […] back to Monday’s post, it’s time for me to be fearless. These are silly fears with minimal {albeit disappointing} […]

  • Reply Ashley at

    “But change is good. I’m a believer in change as a life necessity. Without it, we grow stale and stagnant. If we fear change too much, we become unable to see the world from any other perspective aside from our own. I don’t ever want to be that person, the individual who is so set in her ways that she can’t look beyond the mirror of her mind.”

    YUP! Well said.

    I have family members that like the comfort of habits and shun change – to me it’s a good lesson in stagnation.There’s so much in the world to see and embrace, and can be such a catalyst for self-knowledge and personal growth.

    Cheers to 2017!

  • Reply 2018: The Year to Thrive -Just a Colorado Gal at

    […] for 2017. And while I knew exactly what I was referencing at the time, I didn’t spill it all out in my post. Because that’s the trick with things we are scared of: it’s unnerving to make them […]

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