I’m a New Year’s Resolution gal. I have been for many years. I usually think of my resolutions on the first day of the new year, never before. But this year, I was asked what my goals are for 2023 earlier than usual.
And it got me thinking: 2023 can wait, but 2022 could use a few of my words.
I feel like I try to shed light on the positive as much as possible, but a year is a long time— there are not just positive moments within 365 days.
So, I’m gonna tell it like it is. Wrap up 2022, give it my raw, honest feedback, and lay it out for you line by line.
Of course, my year is significant to me, and being this is a personal blog, you’ll be hearing about my experiences; however, I urge you to take some time before 2022 ends to reflect on what happened this year for you.
2023 is right around the corner, and I’m a big advocate for using any excuse to start anew and set some goals, but don’t let the new year outshine what you did this year. Don’t let all you did be overlooked by new goals.
I encourage you to follow my lead and make a master list of what transpired for you in 2022.
I’ll start:
I woke up on January 1, 2022 in Amman, Jordan.
Explored a new city, country, and contracted Covid.
Quit a retail job that genuinely worked me to the bone.
Met another blogger who is now one of my closest friends.
Asked said blogger the first time I met her if she wanted to come to Italy with me, which didn’t end up panning out.
Booked a one-way flight to Lake Como.
Switched from being a white wine gal to a strict red wine gal.
Contemplated what a guy meant when he came up to me at a restaurant and said, “Your eyes look like they can break the world.”
Suffered from horrendous asthma for the first time in my life.
Fell in love.
Relished in love.
Lost love.
Spent many sleepless nights wondering what I was doing with my life.
Begged the universe for a sign, for direction, for clarity more times than I can count.
Drove home from the beach with country music playing and the sun setting in the distance wondering if my purpose in life is to enjoy the small moments.
Read books that changed my brain chemistry (I can’t prove this one at all, but I can feel it).
Wrote poems, blogs, captions, and journal entries that penetrated my previous definition of “vulnerable”.
Found out lots of people were pregnant.
Cheered for friends, family, and strangers as I watched on the sidelines as they pursued their goals.
Fell victim to the chokehold of TikTok.
Bought watercolor paint and created a few amateur masterpieces.
Picked up some new freelancing clients.
Got rejected by a LOT more.
Experienced both sides of my family being in the same room together for the first time in 10 years.
Stooped to a new level of post-trip depression.
Had my first real hair salon experience (my mom has cut my hair my whole life).
Attempted to read the Harry Potter series. Failed after the second book.
Bought a new laptop because my last one mysteriously disappeared.
Grew even more obsessed with my dog (I don’t know how).
And last but not least, learned more about myself and this life I’m living.
Gosh, 2022. Every year I feel like I step into a different version of myself, and I know that’s how it’s supposed to go, but my golly gosh… this year feels like a whole series worth of books.
Sometimes I think back to when I lived in Italy, and I think to myself, “Was that me?”
I think of all the nights I fell asleep wondering how I could feel so alone in a journey that was designed to be solo.
I think of reuniting with friends and thanking the high heavens for who I have by my side.
I think of everything I became, everything I shed, and everything I am still holding onto.
~
2023 feels like a very big year. I can just sense it.
But right now, before the new year rolls around, I want to stop and smell the roses. I want to close my eyes, breathe through my nose, and be where my feet are.
Although I know so much more is in store, I want to be with this version of me right now. Because as much as I love continuous growth, acknowledging that every year I grow into a new version of myself means also acknowledging that I leave pieces of me behind.
That new is only possible by shedding the old.
So, as I gear up for my 26th year of life, I want to remind you—remind myself too— that you will get to where you’re going, but every once in a while, slow down a bit, pat yourself on the back, and be grateful for the person who’s making tomorrow possible.
Happy 2022, beautiful people.
All my love,
Tay❤️
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