Farewell 2021; Hello 2022

Last week a friend told me about YearCompass, and I’ve been using their free digital guide to reflect on how 2021 was for me, and what I would like 2022 to look like. Below are some thoughts I wrote from the prompts in the guide:

• One of the biggest lessons I learned in 2021 was to let go of my expectations — readers may recall that I had a disappointing experience with a Hawaiian sunset, and how it was a lesson to not have expectations of circumstances. More than that, though, it was also a reminder to be flexible when it comes to what I think a friendship should look like. As with 2020, I am super grateful for the friends I’ve kept in touch with and grown closer to in 2021. I am also cognizant that friendships ebb and flow over time, and that my 2022 friendships will be different than what it looked like in 2021.
• Another gift of 2021 was being able to celebrate more of my friends’ birthdays — some of which I was celebrating for the first time. Given that it was Year Two of the pandemic it really felt like a blessing to simply be together with friends, and I’m so glad I got to organize some of them.
• I know this isn’t specific or measurable, but one of my 2022 goals is to care less about what people think of me. I wasn’t even going to bother sharing that goal, but then I was bingeing Schitt’s Creek last week and Alexis dropped this bombshell in the middle of the episode where David was about to take his driving test, “Nobody cares. Trust me, people aren’t thinking about you the way that you’re thinking about you.” Not sure why it struck me as profound, but either way it’s a great reminder for the year.
• In terms of more measurable goals, I actually started some habits at the end of 2021 that I would like to continue into the new year:
  • Going to the gym more consistently (3x/week)
  • Praying/journaling daily
• In addition to that, I also have some other goals for 2022:
  • Making my bed daily (new for 2022)
  • Blogging weekly (failed from 2021)

The last thing I’ll share from the guide is my word for 2022: Risk. I liked how YearCompass prompted me to choose the word:

Pick a word to symbolize and define the year ahead. You can look at this word if you need some extra energy, so you remember not to give up your dreams.

There’s more to say on the topic but I’ll leave it at that for now (feel free to ask me in person).

What’s your word for 2022?