It's almost time to leave the year 2018. I love looking back at these reflective surveys each each and seeing what I was thinking, feeling, and experiencing at the time. Some things never change, and some things do, radically. Here are ones from New Year's Eve 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011.
1. What did you do in 2018 that you’d never done before?
I drove a stick-shift stock car at Charlotte Motor Speedway topping out at 146 mph, went to Cuba, I scored some pretty exciting (for me) bylines, bought a car that I got to choose and paid for it in cash — continuing my goal of never, ever having a car payment.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I can't find where I actually wrote them down for some reason but I did manage to end the year with no consumer debt!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Everyone's blowing out babies lately ... a thought that was applicable throughout 2018 still. This should taper off in the late 2020s, right? I can't remember any more names, ya'll.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Late in the year but yes, our longtime family friend Bobby left us on Dec. 21 at about 10 a.m. before what could have been a long battle with lung cancer. We were all in the room with him and he went so quietly that we didn't even notice for a few minutes. I was messaging with Patrick about how weird it was that he could be gone and we wouldn't know because there were no monitors on him for that, and Patrick said "check to see if his chest is moving" and you know what... it wasn't. We didn't even think about that, the simplest thing. So in a way it was a little amusing, and very relieving that it was so peaceful. Too peaceful, maybe? But he left a big impression on all of our lives, that is for sure. Also, stop smoking if you're reading this and are doing it.
5. What countries did you visit?
I got my first passport stamp this year (Mexico doesn't do this if you come off of cruise ships) in CUBA. Not many people can say that!
6. What would you like to have in 2019 that you lacked in 2018?
Clarity.
7. What dates from 2018 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The first glance at Cuba, the feeling of driving that stock car knowing I was actually making it happen, and also learning to drive stick shift in the mountains in an old Jeep, and the excitement of the car auction, and being with Bobby his last two days.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I bought a vehicle for the first time ever. I got it from an auction and paid cash, continuing my NO CAR PAYMENT lifestyle.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I really wanted to get a full-time remote job this year but I've found other ways to enjoy my current job despite the 20 mile each way commute. So it maybe isn' a failure so much as a not yet achieved goal.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Sort of? In July I went to a primary care physician and she thought I had thyroid issues and sent me through an insane battery of tests that are now costing me a few thousand bucks... for basically nothing. Thank the jacked up medical system that rewards doctors for in-system referrals even if they are needless. I have an enlarged thyroid, woohoo. I also started on allergy shots finally. I hope to be allergy-free in another year or so.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
The Toyota.
12. Where did most of your money go?
Paying off my debt and saving! I am ending this year with no debt other than about $3k in medical, plus our mortgage. Not many people my age can say they have so few debts to their name.
13. What did you get really excited about?
I have several new freelancing gigs from this year. I haven't kept track of the amount but I've made a lot more than years past and have learned a lot about the game.
14. What song will always remind you of 2018?
I don't think I had an anthem of the year.
15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
– happier or sadder? Happier.
– thinner or fatter? I reluctantly have to say fatter.
– richer or poorer? Richer!
16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Yoga and decluttering.
17. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Commuting to work.
18. How did you spend Christmas Day?
Christmas Day was purposely largely and purposely uneventful. Patrick and I woke up and opened our presents to one another, and we ate more of the party food left over from the day before, then I went to visit my dad that evening. I liked it that way, it was a good rest day from the festivities from the day before.
19. What was your favorite TV program?
It is not a favorite by any means, but I watched the whole run of Frasier earlier this year and actually enjoyed it. It's nice seeing TV shows that aren't set in New York City.
20. What were your favorite books of the year?
According to my GoodReads list I've read nearly 70 books this year, and that's just ones I remembered to mark as read. I love my Kindle. Send recommendations!
21. What was your favorite music from this year?
Same classic rock that it always is and always will be.
22. What were your favorite films of the year?
I didn't go to a movie theater but I eagerly awaited the DVD release of Crazy Rich Asians.
23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 33 to little fanfare other than Patrick did take me to the lavender farm, lunch in Greenville, and Birds Fly South.
24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I really wanted to have the backyard landscaped although I knew without a shadow of a doubt it wasn't gonna happen. We did a lot of other home improvements though from floor refinishing in January, to front porch posts in May, to getting the backsplash tiled in October. And all of those are paid off, which is satisfying.
25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2018?
Office acceptable athleisure with a cardigan.
26. What kept you sane?
The fact that I have a highly transferrable skill. I can WRITE. Some months I am bringing in an entire extra paycheck's worth of money with my freelancing.
27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2018.
It's worth waiting for the right thing to come along at the right time, and it's my responsibility to know what that right thing is.
