It’s been another long year that’s gone by in what feels like a blink. Time is precious, they say, and I feel it more than ever now that we have kids and every moment is full. I do my best to look back at the year that’s gone past and set some intentions for the year ahead, but mostly I feel like it’ll be a few more years before I can do more than keep things simple. Simple is what I can do right now, and it’s enough. It has to be.
So what did this year bring? Daycare for my youngest and a return to work for me, which is always a challenging thing, but is especially so in the place I currently work. The ongoing pandemic, which threw us all back in lockdown just as I was starting to settle back in and meet new colleagues. Coaching, which led to some revelations and work I still have to do. Explorations of trust (in the research sense), and well-being (in the supervisory sense). The decision to stay put, so my kids can have a hometown (something I always wanted). A podcast project with a friend (coming soon!). And cross-continental movie nights with another friend I dearly miss. So many runs on my favourite trails, routines, and all the cupcakes. This blog and the return to writing regularly — something I have also missed.
What have I learned? That I am sometimes resilient in unexpected ways. That I still have a ways to go in others. That life actually is about the journey, even if that is a saying that used to drive me crazy on my way to wherever I decided I needed to go next.
And my intentions? To try and keep things simple. To blend boundaries between different aspects of my life. To treasure every second I have with my family and make sure they know I’m grateful for all of it — chaos, tears, cuddles, laughter. To care less about stuff that won’t matter in the end. To write more, just for the fun of it. And to be more present.
I look forward to sharing how it all went next year around this time. For now, have a fantastic New Year!
Feature photo by me, from a trip I did in the Blue Mountains what feels like another lifetime ago.