Lessons Learned in 2022

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end of year calendar lessons learnedAnyone else finding it hard to believe it’s going to be 2023 soon?! I feel like I’m still stuck in 2020.

As the year winds down, I always go into reflective mode. These are a few lessons I journaled about in 2022 that were reinforced, reminded, or helped me gain insight and realization.

4 Lessons Learned

Things don’t last forever

The good, the bad, and the in-between. Nothing stays the same forever. This realization has helped me to stay in the present and cherish the here and the now. I used to brace myself for the other shoe to drop. Kinda like, things are going well so something has to go bad. Knowing that even good things don’t last forever and there will inevitably be ups and downs. Rather than thinking something always has to go bad when things are going well, it’s helped me reframe my thinking. On the flip side, it’s also helped me know when tough times come, those won’t last forever either.

I can take up space

My ideas, thoughts, and feelings matter and it’s ok to occupy the space I am in. What I have to say is important and it’s ok to make my voice heard. Maybe it’s this growing older thing or becoming more comfortable with myself but I’ve found this one has gotten easier as the years have progressed.

Friendships

I miss my college group of friends so dearly and miss seeing them all the time. We’d go to class and then get home and have friends living with you, doing homework together, running to get food, and weekly Grey’s Anatomy dates. I set that bar there for adult friendships too and not surprisingly, felt let down, disappointed, and like I must be doing something wrong.

It took me a long time to realize that for me adult friendships look like texting each other and trying to schedule a time that works for both of us, each of us suggesting dates until we find one that might work in 3 weeks. It means going out to eat and then one of us leaving early because a kid got sick. I’ve come to realize that is just the reality and phase I am in with parenting young children. But like the above, I know it won’t always be like this. In the meantime, I will cherish those texts, quick lunch dates, and moments spent together when we can.

Size up already!

At some point in early 2022, I realized I needed to go up a size in my jeans. At first, I will admit, I had a little panic moment. I would catch myself looking at pictures of 2 or 3 years ago and thinking how much weight I’ve gained since and have a little freak-out. I don’t know what switched but I realized that was 2-3 years ago, OF COURSE I am going to change. Body changes happen as you age and that is normal and ok. Also, and not to sound cliche, but I (and you) are more than the number on the tag of your pants. So, I bought the size up and got rid of my old jeans once and for all.

I am trying to focus on the fact that I am getting older, a privilege not everyone has. I’m trying to embrace aging and all that comes with it. At least I’ve only found one gray hair so far but talk to me in a year and we’ll see if I can still say that.

So, here’s to you 2022, to the moments. Moments where I felt the world was falling apart (still feel like that most days) to the wonderful-heart full-ordinary- make your knees bend -kinda moments. I’m glad you happened.

What are lessons you learned this year? 

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