I know it's mid-January, but I only just left 2021 behind. The year doesn't feel complete until I get my Annual Review out of the way and it takes me up to the Lunar New Year (late January/early February) to round out the last.
This year, I created my review using questions from Unravel Your Year and Ultimate Annual Review, but I’m feeling inspired by Fei-Ling Tseng’s article to curate my own template next year.
Some people can't be bothered by this process, but I love clearing away last year's mental and emotional baggage. No one needs that dragging behind in the shiny new year.
For me, so much happened in 2021. It was a difficult year, but following my years of cancer, it was a cakewalk. This must be what it's like to be a baby phoenix creeping its head out of the ashes... even if sometimes I feel more like a chicken on the chopping block. Here are some of the big ones:
I took my dad to the ER for a non-covid problem - that was scary.
My boyfriend and I got an American Shorthair kitten - we named him Hamilton.
All of 2020 finally landed on me like a ton of bricks in May of 2021, blindsiding me with a bout of depression.
I paid off a $90k personal loan for a house that I bought in Portland.
Mentally, I finally accepted the role of my dad's caregiver and together we made dietary and lifestyle changes until his blood work was normal.
I got my certification in Functional Medicine - could’ve finished in one year, but it took me four.
I got free diving certified and can hold my breath under water for two minutes.
I started and published 17 issues of my first online newsletter.
I had a talented photographer take my portraits (big for me!)
In 2020, I chose a word for 2021, "Bloom". I think I made good on that one.
If there was anything missing in 2021, I'd say it was rest. And now that I’ve had it, it’s good to be back!
Liked the pictures. Want to see more. So happy for your accomplishments.
Wow congrats on a great look back. You had some pretty big challenges there.