We are looking back at 2022 — in hopes that 2023 might be the year to finally (fill in your personal blank)? 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 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011.
1. What did you do in 2022 that you’d never done before?
Had a job I liked the whole time. Flew to a new country and got a passport stamp.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
- Bathroom renovation complete I got both bathrooms re-done so I totally won here!
- Invest $3k+ in ETF I know I invested a little more than that at least.
- Secure a fully remote job that doesn’t suck DONE! DONE! I did this in January!
- Take a whole week of vacation at one go I did this THREE TIMES this year.
- Complete SEO of most blog posts + new photos for key posts I actually basically stopped blogging for most of this year but want to pick it back up and change it for 2023.
- Finish first draft of novel by May 8 so it’s ready for beta readers Technically I did get this done and sent it to one person to read.
- Yoga 3 times a week minimum (1 in studio at least) Some weeks I did, some I didn't.
- Small renovation projects: new front door, more insulation and floorboards in attic, remove attic fan, gutters along back roofline, plant a citrus tree I did put more insulation in the attic and plant a citrus tree.
- Take a good vacation with Patrick, anywhere outside of SC/NC/GA We did the bare minimum and went to Tennessee but it still counts!
- Get important life paperwork done (wills, POA, etc) so my mom will leave me alone about it okay so I started it but have not finished! It's a LOT of stuff.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My friend Kara did, in March. I think that's all.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
We had a no-death year, as far as close friends, family, and pets are concerned. That is quite a feat in this environment.
5. What countries did you visit?
FINALLY I have some. In February my dad and I went on a cruise and we went to the Dominican Republic, the Turks and Caicos (Grand Turk), and some private island in the Bahamas but I don't count that as "going to the Bahamas". I also went to the Turks and Caicos to the main island, Provinciales, for four days with friends. I LOVE TCI!
6. What would you like to have in 2023 that you lacked in 2022?
A book deal! I have been working on a novel for the past year and would like to query it and make it happen.
7. What dates from 2022 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Not specific dates, but starting in January, the date I was in a staff meeting and 2 minutes after it ended I got the offer for my current job. My horoscope that day told me I would get good news from another state and it came true! The day Patrick and I drove to Nashville was also pretty incredible even if it involved being in the car for 8 hours. It was a gorgeous drive and we just appreciated the journey, which I am not known for doing when traveling. Then, the day we did an ocean boat tour in the TCI. I can still close my eyes and recall the scenery and the shades of blue and teal that were everywhere.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Definitely the new job.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Probably not saving more but I did make the money I didn't save do a LOT for me.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a terrible case of steroid induced rosacea most of the year. But I swear to you, it went away after I spent two days in the ocean in the TCI. It burned a lot to put my face into the salt water, but once I recovered from the sunburn too, it was just magically gone and hasn't resurfaced. If it does come back (but I am being incredible careful around steroids these days), I will absolutely go back to the Caribbean for a swim in the ocean before I go to the dermatologist.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Two bathrooms! We redid the full bath in April, and the half bath in December. This concludes the big indoor renovations luckily, because I am tired of them.
12. Where did most of your money go?
FOOD. Also bathrooms (see above).
13. What did you get really excited about?
The trips I took. From the cruise, to a few days in Savannah in the spring, to Charleston with my mom and aunts in May, to a work trip to Tampa, to Nashville and Gatlinburg with Patrick, then the TCI in October, I had a pretty great travel year!
14. What song will always remind you of 2022?
I'm not a Swiftie, but maybe that new "hi, I'm the problem it's me" song by her, I guess?
15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
– happier or sadder? Happier.
– thinner or fatter? About the same.
– richer or poorer? Both? I have more money but I am spending more of it.
16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Novel finishing.
17. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Buying things I didn't need.
18. How did you spend Christmas Day?
Christmas Day doesn't have much for us, but my dad came over and I made blueberry pancakes and we exchanged gifts. Then we went to take our annual Christmas Day picture in front of the state house tree. Then not much else notable. It was super cold out so we stayed inside!
19. What was your favorite TV program?
I just kind of watch Netflix mostly.
20. What were your favorite books of the year?
I have a wide variety of ones I liked. And sometimes "liked" doesn't mean the content, but it resonated with me in a way I remember the book well despite all the others I read too.
Memoirs: Sex Cult Nun, A Billion Years
Fiction: How to Change a Life, The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano, Followers
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?
Oh! I went and saw the Elvis movie in the theatre! I really liked it
23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 37 and my family came over and brought all of my favorite foods. We ate outside and also celebrated mother's day since I had to share it this year.
24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Idk, a briefcase full of no-strings-attached cash? I don't really have any complaints about the year except it flew by incredibly fast.
25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2022?
Wake up and wear the same thing to work in, maybe change my shirt if needed.
26. What kept you sane?
Reading. I read more than 70 books this year!
27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2022.
Get up and go do stuff.
