100,000 Miles, One Unapologetic Journey

In less than a week I will have reached a huge milestone this year, 100,000 miles flown. I’ve seen Sydney, India, London, Alaska, Seattle, and Salt Lake City this year. But 100,000 miles is more than jsut miles flown or days, Literally, in the air. It meant a discovery of myself and what it means to be #UnapologeticallyPuppy, and to reconnect with parts of my past that used to bring me sadness and pain. October feels like a good time to reflect on that for a number of reasons. It’s now been a little over a year since I met Alpha. He’s helped me to grow and realize that I matter, that I need to recognize that I am more than the sum of my parts, and that I am capable of loving again after an emotionally difficult marriage. It’s also the changing of the seasons. It feels like that’s also a metaphor for my year. I’ve been so busy preparing for my title run, that I’ve not had time to stop and catch my breath. This is the first time that I’ve not had to think about being the best version of myself. In fact, it’s jsut who I am now.

It truly has been a memorable year. Sydney, Bangalore, Alaska and countless trips to London, have all added up to the sum of where, and who I am today. Australia reminded me to be playful, to take chances and never pass up an opportunity for adventure. India taught me that visibility matters, among strangers and among friends. Alaska allowed to me revisit parts of my past that were painful, and use it to heal. London, remains my anchor, my second home, and the place where I met Alpha. I’m damn proud of myself that through that I was able to keep up on this blog. Sharing pieces of myself with the world, and inspiring others to be the full versions of themselves.

This year has been not jsut about physical milestones, but emotional ones as well. I reclaimed wins that were lost in the past. I built up my chosen family, and gained a title class family. I finally let some old wounds heal after tucking them away for longer than I realized. I reclaimed my past and wore my accomplishments as a badge of honor. I rediscovered my passion for things like teaching and bootlicking, and they are now an integral part of who I am.

I also brought #UnapologeticallyPuppy to life this year. It was initially a reminder to myself, but eventually began something I shared with others. I let Ruff guide me through life, discovering joy, living honestly and sharing love for myself and my community. It’s also been about stewardship, protecting the spaces to allow us to be who we are, and fostering communities that lift up voices that aren’t the loudest in the room. It was shortly after my GA pup title run that this became more than an idea and who I wanted to represent. It’s part of my core being now and lives at the heart of all I do professionally and personally. #UnapologeticallyPuppy was never about chaos, gear, or putting on a show. It’s about allowing yourself to be authentic, live openly as yourself, and to take risks that you might not have allowed yourself to do in the past.

This year has built new relationships and friendships, deepened others, and allowed me to close chapters and heal from difficult relationships in the past. Don’t get me wrong, it was a busy year, but I had lost time I needed to make up for. There were opportunities I needed to seize in the moment, and times I needed to stay put to recover, learn and grow. I was energized by opportunities to bootblack, to teach and to mentor. I was also able to let go of hurt, betrayal and emotional baggage ive been dragging along for years. I no longer hold resentment for those scars, I know they’ve shaped me and brought me here to who and where I am today.

As I round the year out I want to continue to live my life unapologetically, build on the relationships I’ve rekindled this year and reflect on who and what has gotten me to this point. I still have things I need to work on, namely recognizing and valuing my self worth. I have learned this year the influence I have over how other see me, and don’t give myself credit for my importance in this life. I do need to slow things down a bit. 100,000 miles 28 flights, 11 airports and 5 countries is a lot. I can continue to grow and explore, but I need to remind myself to listen to my body and pause when it becomes too much.

Next year is going to have more adventures. More international miles, but also more domestic miles as well. Already on the agenda is Belgium, Spain, and Puerto Rico. London will definately be a frequent destination, but also some opportunities to continue showing Alpha some of my favorite places in the states. Through all of this #UnapologeticallyPuppy will continue to grow and evolve. Already there are things in the works to continue teaching, mentoring and growing my community.

I want to close with a reminder to everyone. It’s ok to take time for yourself, but it’s equally important to take some risks and take advantage of opportunities that may not come again. Those moments help you grow, discover parts of yourself, and heal from past experiences. To steal from a famous quote, a journey of 100,00 miles starts with a single step. Sometimes thats an easy step to take, others that can be the most difficult step you can take, but you have to take it, wholeheartedly and unapologetically. Listen to that voice inside that is pulling you in that direction and trust that it’s there to help you become the version of yourself that has been hiding inside.