It's almost time to leave the year 2019. 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 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011.
1. What did you do in 2019 that you’d never done before?
I started a business, with an LLC, a FEIN, and everything. See more about my social media management business.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I met a lot of my resolutions, including income and savings ones (thanks freelancing!), and some home improvement ones, like refinishing the garage, getting new doors put in the back of the house, going on a big trip to Seattle and Portland,
Ones I didn't succeed at were: getting a remote job, getting estimated for backyard landscaping, and working on my royal icing technique. As soon as it got warm out, I stopped baking cookies!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
One of my friends has TWINS. Two people at once! That's a first, I haven't known anyone close to me to have multiples.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Luckily, not this year.
5. What countries did you visit?
Just America. My travel was only domestic this year but it did include two trips out west — a Seattle-Portland trip, and a Las Vegas trip. We also went to Farmville, Virginia for a family wedding, and I went to Savannah for the first time for our annual girls' trip.
6. What would you like to have in 2020 that you lacked in 2019?
Working from home, working for myself — one or the other, or both.
7. What dates from 2019 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The only one I can think of is our 10 year wedding anniversary, but I don't think we did anything to commemorate it. To be perfectly honest, this whole year felt like a blur. I didn't feel like myself in that I just didn't want to do things I normally liked to do. I didn't go to the lake at all this year. I didn't take random solo trips to Charleston (except once in February) or Charlotte, and I just really felt like I wanted to stay home more than usual. I felt like the year passed me by and I'm standing here wondering what happened.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I guess just actually starting a business and telling people about it, plus doing some cold-pitching to local businesses. I don't love rejection (who does?) but I am opening myself up to the possibility of it, so that's growth, maybe even achievement.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Last year's failure still holds true: 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't a failure so much as a not yet achieved goal.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
It's been a healthy year for me, other than the random bouts of sinus issues, which have lessened significantly thanks to a combination of weekly allergy shots and taking my Zyrtec regularly.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I upgraded my Roomba on Black Friday. I had no idea how bad the other was one until this one came along. Roomba #1 was a valiant soldier though, and it sucked up more dog hair and sand than any robot vacuum should ever have to.
12. Where did most of your money go?
Partially to savings and partially I have no idea. Except I do — food. Snacks, beverages, meals out, groceries, zany ingredients, groceries, groceries. I've been trying to save a lot more once I decided the business was happening, as a cushion. I've also been paying my quarterly taxes which super sucks, but maybe means we won't owe a buttload of money come tax season.
13. What did you get really excited about?
I made $2k one month in freelancing alone. It was only one month, but that felt big. It was the month before I started my business, so it's fallen off significantly, but it's nice to know I can make that happen on top of having a day job.
14. What song will always remind you of 2019?
At first I didn't think I had one but after hearing it recently, it's definitely Much Too Young Too Feel This Damn Old. Because I felt like that a this year and didn't like it. Strides will be made to change this feeling in 2020.
15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
– happier or sadder? The same.
– 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 weightlifting.
17. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Commuting to work.
18. How did you spend Christmas Day?
In two photos, this is how we spent Christmas day:
Patrick got me an inflatable hot tub for Christmas(!!!!!) and later we went to Whigmas at The Whig, plus took our yearly photo in front of the State House Christmas tree. This was the first year we haven't had to do a ton of stuff on Christmas Day. We had zero plans, which worked out well for getting to enjoy this amazing present as much as possible. I'm so relaxed now, ya'll.
19. What was your favorite TV program?
I can't help it, I love the Golden Girls lately. I also enjoyed Shrill, which came out this year. The book it is based on is also excellent.
20. What were your favorite books of the year?
My GoodReads list is being weird but I probably read about 50 books this year. I really liked Pachinko, everything by Caitlin Doughty, The Great Alone, and Silver Sparrow. I am planning to spend some money on books this upcoming year and read some from my favorite genre: the cult-escapee stories.
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 am pretty sure I didn't go see a movie this year.
23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 34 and Patrick took me to Bourbon, then Sweet Cream Co. Not having a bunch of birthday plans is getting to be better than having any, except making Patrick pay for dinner AND dessert.
24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not having a commute! I hate driving in traffic so much. Every other driver is a maniac. Honestly, not even more money would make me happier at this point, unless it was a much, much larger amount.
25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2019?
Office acceptable athleisure with a cardigan, but I really culled my wardrobe this past year to get rid of ill-fitting items.
26. What kept you sane?
Have I been? I think taking time off of work after not really getting to much last year saved me, as well as building up my savings account to where I have that mythical 6 months salary in the bank.
27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019.
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. One day soon I'll share the cryptic meaning behind this.