Recap 2021; Best Of

The Best Of 2021. There’s a ton of things I stumbled on this year that I loved and there’s a few things I know I’m missing. I typically make one of these every year but I don’t really blog about them, I just post them on IG or something. But this year I wanted to recap a few things and a few favorites I had. 2021 was such a weird year I’m sure for a lot of us. We finally got to taste a bit of freedom again. And man did that feel so good!

Entertainment

I admit, I didn’t get to read as many books or see as many movies as I had hoped to. I did manage to finally see Hamilton and even though I knew most of the songs already before watching it, I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. The soundtrack has been playing nonstop in my head and in my life daily since like October. I did catch a bit of the movie my friend Nicolas Dromard (he was the SF Fiyero a few years back) is in! It’s on the Hallmark Channel. I had hoped to watch more Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel and just in general but that didn’t really work out. I get pretty much just one day a week to myself where no one bothers me and I’m always aware of how fast that day goes.

As for tv shows there were a few I had wanted to get to. I did binge Schitt’s Creek. I’m currently on the last 2 episodes and I don’t want it to end honestly. That show was everything I didn’t know I needed in my life. Seriously. I am *IN LOVE* with that show. Other than that, Tums was on an all Bluey kick for a good few months. And for a “kids” show there’s some really valuable advice for parents in those episodes. But I truly believe everyone needs a dad like Bandit. He’s parenting goals, foreal.

I’m going to make a totally different post about all the favorite music I had, I put down You Got It by Vedo since it was one I was listening to pretty much all year. But there are a few others that were also on constant repeat all year.

I didn’t hit my goal of 25 books in 2021 but I did manage to finish The Cassidy Blake series and for a middle grade it’s so good. If you’re into historical fiction and quirky characters, I’d def recommend! My favorite of the series has to be Tunnels of Bones because it takes place in France and the history behind things I didn’t know about Paris was so fascinating! I had messaged my friend who was born and raised in France (who I worked with at Disney) if things were true. I would also live message him while watching Emily in Paris which I never finished. I should though, at some point.

While I bought a ton of new games, I didn’t really play much of them. I started playing Stardew Valley and it is a lot more demanding than Animal Crossing, and the opening tutorial for SDV can get a little confusing. Plus the graphics are really something I need to get use to. I have been religiously playing a game called Solitaire Farm on my Galaxy Tab. It’s such a cute game where you can unlock new items to upgrade your farm with and the challenges are actually really fun to complete! I should write about it some day. I really miss playing games and new games, I really want to make more time to do that in 2022.

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Recap 2021; #OneLittleWord

I’ve been doing #OneLittleWord for a few years now. I think since 2015. I legit don’t know what to make 2022’s word cause I feel like I’ve done all the ones I really wanted to do lol.

The word for 2021 was Courage.

I love how every year I say “it’s my year“.

This year wasn’t so bad as far as accomplishments go, and honestly I think I did super well with keeping my #OneLittleWord in mind. Wish I could change those blog links though lol.

I had hoped that 2021 would be vastly different from 2020, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who felt this way either. I just wanted to pack my 2021 with as much adventure and healing as I could… and though I’m still on this journey, I’m so thankful for the steps I did take to get here this year!

I got to travel to Florida (home) twice this year. I am so so thankful for that! Got to see my BFF after not seeing her for 15 years and we took our first Disney trip together; one of the best memories we have together and we’re counting down until our next Disney trip! I got to hang out with a friend here in Texas and I’ve been enjoying our trips to Target! I also got to meet up with a Florida friend I haven’t seen in years and I had SO MUCH FUN with her at Universal! Speaking of my BFF, she took took a leap and changed careers. I’m so so proud of her!

I started my own business, something that happened as a whim of an idea and turned into something so much more. I’ve had so much fun exploring this other side of creativity and self expression. I’ve reached out to vendors and learned how to outsource my products as well as make them in house as well.

Started my journey to financial freedom, which I know is going to be a struggle no matter how “set” it may look. Now it’s on to mindfully buying things and not splurging on shit I don’t need. I’m thankful for the guidance I got for this journey. So thankful. You will never know how thankful.

I’ve been spending more time with my friends, either on the phone or threatening them to meet me in Florida. And it’s reminding me of who I am, where I came from and what I’m capable of. I’m extremely thankful for all the time I get to spend with my really close friend and someone I’ve considered an older brother my whole life.

Reliving our memories from 14 to now at 36 has been wild. It’s crazy to realize how much time has passed and how different we are now. But it’s been fun going back there. I was SUCH a weird kid, seriously. I have some of the best memories with him through out our teen-hood. We made so many promises that would encourage us to be better people even as kids. And it’s wild to see we still do that to each other now as adults. He’s only ever wanted what was best for me, always. I’m glad we’ve been able to stay friends for this long.

I started taking steps to enroll back into school to finish my BA (a little under 2 years left) and changed my major to fit my new goals. I’m really excited about this change and finally finishing my degree.

I’m happy with the things I did manage to do with courage this year. I can’t wait to see what 2022 brings!

What was your word for 2021? Do you think you did well with it through out the year?

Things I’m Leaving in 2020

Things I’m Leaving in 2020

2020 has showed us a lot of things about ourselves, our surroundings, our company we keep and about society. There are a lot of things I still carry around with me that I shouldn’t. That I don’t need to. Pain is hard to cope with. Loss is even harder. I’m the type to cling on to the darkness because the light just means what goes up must come down. And you can’t go down if you’re already there.

But I also need to remember; I’m not some broken teenager with a notebook full of secrets. I’m not that girl who constantly wished for someone to notice her and love her just as she is. I’m not searching for someone to fill a void in my life anymore.

Cause I love myself more than anyone could ever love me. Except maybe my mom and my daughter and my cat. I learned that I don’t need some dude to make me feel my worth because I know my worth. And at times I tend to forget. 2020 made the heavy things even heavier, and I’m tired of carrying it all around with me.

I’m not one to actually fully heal from anything. I kind of just store it away and pull it out from time to time. So I’m not entirely sure I’m capable of healing. But hey, there’s a first time for everything, right?

I have a tendency to ask my friends whenever it seems like they’re stuck at a fork in the road: if this was your life one year from today, would you be happy?

My bro has a habit of throwing the same question at me sometimes: but what do YOU want?

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Things I learned in 2019

It’s crazy how this year is coming to a close; I feel like time just passes faster the older you get. And even a slight bit faster when you have kids. I swear Tums was just born 4 months ago and not 9.

2019 was one of the worst years I’ve had in a very very long time. Dare I say it was just as bad if not worse than 2014? Cause it sure as hell felt like it — not to mention I also had to get on meds this year. That’s how rough it was.

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