What I learned in 2022

I’ve taken to skipping resolutions for the new year. I choose to look back at my year and think about all that happened and all that I learned. I also take a look at what I want to move forward with and release from my habits in the year ahead, and build new habits that become regular occurrence. Here are a few things that I learned in 2023 about myself.

I can stick to a skincare regimen.

I spent the year sticking to a morning and nighttime routine of toner, moisturizer and facial oils. I used to barely wash my face in the evenings after a long day and don’t even get me started on my poor under-eye bags. I never thought it was possible to build a skincare routine that I would actually stick to you, however those months at home taught me that I can do it, and my skin thanks me.

I actually love creating new things with my hands.

When the pandemic started in March 2020, I Googled “Hobbies”. I went to Amazon and got an embroidery kit, and I got watercolours and ordered new things because I needed a hobby. I wanted to find something that I could do with my hands apart from working on my day job and my side business. Something that fulfilled me and I could do for fun. I learned that I love embroidering, painting, DIY, creating things from wood and nails, designing spaces and altogether being more creative. Over the year I gathered more tools, learned new skills, tried out creating and making things from scratch, refurbishing from garage sales and knowing when all it needed was a can of matte black spray paint.

Travel is in my blood.

I started my independent travels at 20 when I went to Central America and did Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica. I spent 5 weeks packing in 6 countries and seeing new cultures, being surrounded by a new language and learning how to be independent. I went on a G Adventures tour, and I’m glad I did. Those border crossings, and learning what is safe and what isn’t, isn’t something to joke about, but I also met some amazing people from across the world that I still call friends today. Visiting them led me to my first trip to Europe and exploring London, Spain, Norway, Holland and Czech. More European adventures included new places like Italy and Germany, and visiting old friends and connecting with family. My desire for something different led me to Thailand and then a 6 month trip a couple years later through Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and New Zealand. I never made this a goal, but I am so incredibly proud of myself, as a lot of them were solo travel experiences, and I learned so much about myself in the process. In 2022, I only went to national destinations, and got a chance to settle a bit into the country I’ve lived in my whole life. At the end of it, I was (and still am) so stir crazy to leave the country, so I’m looking at new trips I can plan this year.

I can do things on my own.

This is sort of covered in the last point, but I learned so much about doing it on my own from my solo travels. I learned I can make new friends anywhere. I learned how to do things for myself, and how to make decisions. I learned that I can make it out of sketchy situations and I can stand up for myself when I need to. I can make it through foreign borders, and navigate changes quickly. I also learned that I am my number one priority, and I have to look after myself. I sometimes cling so hard to independence that I don’t let others in, which brings me to my next realization.

I can ask for help and accept help. And it’s okay.

2022 was a tough year. I came across health and living issues that really set me back. And although moving back into my parents place for the summer was incredibly unideal, my health issues and the position I’m in that includes the need for major surgery in 2023, requires the use of help. I cannot do it on my own, nor do I have to. I have an amazing team of people that I’ve recruited including my best friend, my sister in law and my dad. These people cover a few bases, and they have my best interests at heart. I have a network of supportive friends that can come and help me when I need them, and I will need them. It’s a scary realization after being let down many times that you need to rely on the kindness and effort from people that is out of your control. But a good realization before the clock struck midnight, was that it’s okay to accept help.

I can stand up for myself and champion my own wellbeing.

Nothing says standing up for yourself and your health by checking yourself into a foreign hospital when I was abroad in 2019. Last year I came up against the health issues mentioned in the paragraph above, and my insistence on addressing the issue revealed an injury that had been there awhile, and the only reason I was having something done was because I advocated for myself.

I enjoy keeping a clean space.

I used to think I was entirely messy. However living through the last year and a half of sticking close to home has showed me that I like to keep a cleaner space, and that cleaner space makes me feel like I have a clear mind and can focus. I spent my day on the 30th completely cleaning my space and it felt great going into the new year feeling clean

I still hate doing dishes more than anything.

This is unlikely to ever change. Anything I can’t throw in the dishwasher will never get cleaned.

I do like warm colours.

I thought they were the worst, and I was only into icy cool colours, but I’ve discovered I really like how warm colours warm up a space too. Now that I’ve moved into a new space in the last part of 2023, I’ve been making the transition to warmer colours, and it feels so much for like me.

I need a low stress lifestyle to function.

After some traumatic events a couple years ago, I function best when I’m in a low stress space/job/friendship/relationship etc.

I can lean into my ADD.

I used to think that I needed to change the way I did things because of my ADD, and that medication was my only answer to functioning. But I’ve found that if I lean into it, and work when I’m inspired and on a roll, write when I feel inspired and passionate, and rest when I require it, that I am entirely more productive!

I can live life embracing that scary things, sad things, and also happy things can happen.

Last year was hard for many reasons. I was evicted (without cause) from my beautiful apartment and had to take my landlord to court, and win. My PTSD was intense in June, I lost my grandfather very suddenly a couple weeks later, I threw myself into regular activity too suddenly and ended up in August the lowest I’ve felt in years.

Last year was great for many reasons. I got out on the lake and water as much as I could. I bought a townhouse, and had so many visits with my best friend to create new and exciting projects for our homes. I got a nail gun! I got into film photography and got to explore a new medium (and expensive hobby!). I officiated a wedding, and watched my two friends get married in the mountains. I got out there and dated, a few times, and explored what it meant to date people. I stood up for my values and what I knew I deserved and needed in both personal, professional and romantic relationships.

There are so many reasons that I could wallow in the bad and sad and scary, but I embrace both as having happened, and feel better for it.

I cannot wait for all the good, bad, scary, exciting, happy moments that are coming in 2023, I have a good feeling that no matter what happens, I’ll be able to weather the storm, and grow.

Love, E