2021 In Retrospect
Too late to wish you a happy new year and share my review/learnings of 2021? I guess not…
2021 was eventful. So many good things happened to and for me. There were the “highest highs” and the “lowest lows”. In all, it was a pleasant ride.
My year is summarized into three lessons, with each lesson representing each quarter of the year. So, here you go!
Lesson 1: Journaling
At the beginning of 2021, I mentioned to my close circle that I will be documenting all of God’s faithfulness to me and I would thank him specifically for each one at the end of the year.
I did just that!
If you have an opportunity to read through the list, you’d probably laugh at how seemingly trivial they are, but yeah! I wrote them regardless! What this did for me is that it helped me focus on all the beautiful things God did for me, even in those moments I didn’t think I had anything good going on around me… So whenever I felt not-so-good, I would pick up the note and read it all over again.
I am doing more of this in 2022!💪
Lesson 2: Prioritizing Rest and Fun
In the past, I didn’t pay enough attention to resting and having fun. I have shared with a few persons how I have panic attacks the moment someone invites me for an event or asks to hang out.
In 2021, I ditched that! It was easier than I thought because I was doing this with a friend, who was in the same situation as me, so it was a case of “help me to help you”😂. I had so many fun moments and lots of pictures to go with.
… This year, I am creating more time for relaxation and fun. I might even start vlogging some of these moments.
Will you subscribe to my Youtube channel? LOL
Lesson 3: Ingratitude Took a Toll on Me
The lessons from the last quarter of 2021 were the most significant of my entire year. Between October and the early days of November, I began to feel like I deserved more and better. I downplayed my wins and wished I could have the process another way. I felt I wasn’t where I should be.
While that might be valid, what is most valid is that I had many significant wins within the year… I rekindled some good old friendships and made some new friends. I had a leap in my career. I laughed hard, spent time with the people I love, visited new places etc.
Too many beautiful wins which ingratitude did nothing but minify.
I truly felt the benefits of journaling here in helping me get past each day. I wrote daily love letters to God. I was literally wooing him every day🥺… It helped me understand how near God is to me, such that he could provide solutions by merely reading my letters.
I started a program on Positive Intelligence with Shirzad Chamine (You should check it out here). I identified and wrote down my triggers and saboteurs and looked out for them. I can’t completely explain how much this helped and is still helping me.
This year, we go harder!
Something Extra: Catching Flights and Feelings
You know the slang that goes… Catch flights, not feelings? Nah! I did both in 2021…
I look forward to more local and international trips (Feel free to insert ‘more feelings’)
Gratitude: My Mantra for 2022
So, welcome to 2022!
I am not ready to make endless new year resolutions (you could if that works for you).
I am as hopeful as I can be, showing gratitude and celebrating my littlest wins.
I am sorry if I get to rub it in your faces a bit too much this year. T’is my year of nothing but gratitude.
Your friend (or maybe not),
Vivian