I did this mini-guide of a year-in-review in 2013, forgot to do in 2014, found it again, and am doing it now. I like reviewing at the end of a year. LIFE! Let's see what happened in the past year...2015 was a pretty tough year, honestly. Here's hoping 2016 has more and better things in store.
1. What did you do in 2015 that you’d never done before?
I saw a baby be born - my nephew. That was life-changing. I also went to New Orleans for the first time where I walked around with bloody marys in public every chance I got and ate my face off. Pretty much same level with watching life emerge from another human being.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I looked back, and these were my vague-ish resolutions for 2015, which I mostly accomplished:
-Do some more stuff to my apartment [DONE]
-Run more. Run a marathon. Qualify for Boston. Eep. [RAN THE MARATHON BUT WAS 10 MINUTES OFF QUALIFYING TIME. THIS DREAM IS DEAD. BYE DREAM.]
-Lose 10 pounds. Ugh. The mid-30s spread is real [LOST LIKE SIX POUNDS. HERE'S HOW.]
-Continue to try to be the World's Best Aunt [DONE, NATCH]
-Spend lots of time with my parents and siblings because I have the best family [DONE]
I have made more for next year (I have a whole spreadsheet with approximately 25 relatively achievable goals, some small, some large), but I'm not putting them up here for all to see. Here's a sampling, though:
- Take an online writing class
- blog 3-4 times a month
- move my blog to a real domain & redesign
- freelance 5 pieces for a publication
- cook one new recipe a week
- buy remaining furniture for my place
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
YES my brother Peter and his wife welcomed a brand-new baby boy in June. I SAW IT HAPPEN. He wasn't there, then he was (obviously after lots of bad-ass effort from my sister-in-law, who did it naturally). The experience was, and I am not being hyperbolic or ironic here, truly miraculous.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, my grandfather died after a long battle with Parkinsons. It was very difficult.
5. What countries did you visit?
Hmm. I only went to Mexico. Generally I'm pretty good about going internationally at least a couple of times a year but oh well. I'm starting to find long haul trips a little too exhausting, so I don't expect my countries visited count to tick upwards. I wouldn't mind a vacation to London to see Susan in 2016, but that's about all I got on my radar.
In the US, I went to a lot of places: Minnesota, Washington state, Boston, Wyoming, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Raleigh. I also took this solo beach vacation.
6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?
A boyfriend who thinks I'm the funniest, prettiest, most clever person on earth and who is also kind and smart and generous, and whom I think is the funniest, prettiest, most clever person on earth. Achievable, right, universe?
7. What dates from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
My grandfather's death in April.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Most of my successes and achievements this year were professional. I love my job and think I'm good at it. I grew a lot in my current company and as a manager.
Additionally, I've been off social media for SIX FECKIN WEEKS NOW and that's longer than basically anything I've done in my whole life so well done me. It's been very rewarding, and when my two months is up I got a lot to say about it.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I think I said something like this the last time I did this, but I really don't believe there should be failures or regrets - you learn something from everything that happens to you, and ideally it helps propel you forward. That said, I did fail to be brave enough to speak up in a few instances about things that were very important to me, because I was scared. I will try to be braver next time.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a long-term low-grade back injury that I finally started to attend to, via massage, physical therapy and a chiropractic. Weirdly, it got better once I actually started dealing with it. I should do that with more things. Unfortunately, it seems that running exacerbates the injury, so I've barely run after my marathon and probably will stay pretty light in running in 2016.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Probably anything I spent money on in New Orleans. That was a great trip. I also got my 2-year-old niece a tiny chef's hat and apron for Christmas (she loves to fake cook) and it's been IMMEASURABLY satisifying watching her wear those.
12. Where did most of your money go?
The frigging oral surgeon. Do you all remember my horrific root canal disaster of 2013? It got even worse in 2015. Early this year my dentist said one of the teeth was reinfected and I had to HAVE ANOTHER ROOT CANAL ON IT. (That would be the third on that tooth, if you're counting.) But when I went to get the root canal, the surgeon was like, nah, this tooth just HAS TO COME OUT ENTIRELY. So I have literally spent the last nine months and thousands of dollars on getting that tooth removed and repalced. It's not done yet. I have a giant screw in a space in my mouth, and it will hopefully get crowned in 2016. Jeez. Teeth, man.
13. What did you get really excited about?
Podcasts. Blogging again. Vlogging. Being inspired to tell stories again, in whatever format. I would really love to do a podcast, but am at a bit of a loss of how to start it, so any tips are welcome.
14. What song will always remind you of 2015?
LOL like I listen to music anymore.
15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
– happier or sadder? Probably a little sadder. 2015 was hard for me for a variety of reasons. (vaguebooking, sorry)
– thinner or fatter? About the same, a few pounds thinner.
– richer or poorer? About the same.
16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Vlogging and writing.
17. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Definitely dating. Yes, I wish I'd dated less. I dated a LOT in 2015 - all good guys. I actually don't think I dated one asshole in 2015, so well done me. But I would say most of the dudes were not quite right for me in some way, or I them, which I was aware of at some level, I think, going into each of the relationships. I assume I will go on dates in 2016, but I hope to be able to listen to my gut on them and fully be myself in those relationships.
18. How did you spend Christmas?
With my wonderful family, and Kriston who came to my parents house, where, as I hope you saw, we vlogged about Star Wars.
19. What was your favorite TV program?
Muh. Jessica Jones and the Mindy Project have been pretty good. I haven't watched enough TV this year, though.
20. What were your favorite books of the year?
You can read those in my books of 2015 post.
21. What was your favorite music from this year?
LOL like I listen to music anymore.
22. What were your favorite films of the year?
I really liked Jurassic World? Mad Max was great.
23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 35, and went out to a lovely small dinner at Dino with friends, then met a larger group of friends out at a bar nearby.
24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Never being afraid to be myself and say what I truly think and ask for what I need. I still struggle with this. Also figuring out what I want and making it happen. I generally just float along. I deeply want to be more intentional in how my life turns out in 2016.
25. What kept you sane?
Literally nothing. I'm an insane person.
Comments