Welcome to
Briana Evolves: Yearly Reflections of a Quirky Little Girl from Kansas
In the Beginning:
I created this website during the summer of 2007. I didn't have a specific reason for doing so, other than I thought it kind of sounded like fun. I enjoyed reflecting on my interests, valued the opportunity to use several of my strengths while developing the site (creating, learning, writing, commemorating), and even appreciated the harsh realization that I don't always act upon my purported interests.
Phase Two:
A year later, in summer 2008, I updated the site. Like creating the site, revising it was affirming, motivating, and thought-provoking. I had additional activities and accomplishments to add to some of the pages. I didn't have anything to add to some of the other pages. This made me realize that perhaps my interests were evolving. I was curious to see how the following year would play out.
Present Day:
Now it's summer 2009. Another year has passed. In some ways, not much has changed. Still have the same job...still run the same nonprofit...still married to the same great guy.
I must say, maintaining the status quo in all of my major roles...and not taking on any new major roles...was kind of nice. At times I felt a bit antsy, but overall I enjoyed not feeling like I needed to be productive all the time. I know. I know. Hard to believe!
I discovered two wonderful things about not being so achievement-focused.
First...I have time to devote to my physical well-being. In addition to walking a mile twice a day and playing volleyball once or twice a week, I'm now working out at the gym, attending yoga classes, taking a walk at lunch, and jogging outside "with" my husband as weather permits. I'll never be a marathoner like my husband, but it feels good to be taking better care of my body.
Second...and even more importantly...I have emotional energy to create and strengthen my relationships with friends, family members, and colleagues. At the risk of sounding super sappy...I am so grateful to have so many people in my life who inspire and encourage me, give me solid advice, listen to me vent, make me laugh, etc. My only hope is that I have been able to enrich them half as much as they've enriched me.
Looking Ahead:
Jon and I have been feeling a little restless...a little boring...a little bored. Maybe we'll join the circus...or get a pet ferret...or move to Greenland...or become spies for the CIA. Then again, maybe we'll do something less drastic like pick up a new hobby. We have a couple of hobbies under consideration...you'll have to check back in summer 2010 to hear the rest of the story.