2021: A Review
Growing older, following your dreams, mental health, tennis, and reviewing and setting intentions for the coming year
2021: A Review
Recommendations:
Song: Cucurucu by Nick Mulvey - the refrain makes me feel like spinning around a room and it reminds me of cicadas humming together in the summer afternoon.
Movie: 14 Peaks (Netflix) - an exciting documentary about a hiker climbing the 14 tallest peaks in the world within 7 months. A good reminder to chase your impossible dreams, help others when you can, and stay humble.
Book: The Zookeeper’s Wife - one of the most beautiful books I have ever read
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Wow! What a year! Although it might be freezing where you are, I hope you are healthy and safe. Happy holidays! And if the holidays are a difficult time for you, I’m sorry, and I understand.
Sorry if this email is too long. Feel free to complain that it is or send me your reactions and thoughts.
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The older I get, the faster time feels like it’s passing by. Do you feel like this, too?
Some of us prefer to be busy, and some of us prefer to live at a slower pace. Whichever is your preference, it’s important to take the time and ask yourself what is it that you want in life and to examine if you already have it (and haven’t noticed) or if you are taking the right steps to obtain it.
This is the first year in eight years I haven’t worked in a hospital. Sometimes I miss it, but my anxiety has gotten so much better while being away from the hospital. Initially, I felt a lot of guilt for quitting my job as a nurse during the epidemic. But it’s my life and I have to choose what is right for me.
This year, I’ve been really inspired by small business owners. I’ve learned so much about how hard they work to balance their health and sanity with their business’ needs. But really everyone I have talked to has some struggle they are dealing with and their tenacity to improve or overcome has been so inspiring. From parents to married professionals to college students and in between—to allow me to see into their lives, for this I am truly humbled and left in awe.
I’ll include a list of my favorite small businesses below. Please remember to shop small this holiday season and in the new year!
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I also want to touch upon mental health. I have spoken about it with many of you and you’ve all helped me in some form or fashion.
I’ve had anxiety for about four years and after going to therapy and trying out many coping techniques, I feel really confident in my ability to manage it. Even my days when I feel sad and hopeless are fewer and farther apart now.
For me, the best strategies are to go outside, meditate, talk to somebody in person or over the phone (not text), and to acknowledge that the anxiety attack is happening until you feel it has gone.
There’s a reason they say, “stop and smell the roses.”
Just when you thought the world was stabilizing a bit, Omicron has started to spread. I don’t know if the world will stay this way forever, but I believe in our ability to come together to decrease the spread of COVID-19 and hopefully eradicate it one day.
If you are struggling with something, I want you to know it’s okay to ask for help. I’ve climbed up from rock bottom in the past year, and if you feel like you’re there, please please please reach out to me or someone you can confide in. I highly recommend trying therapy or even using the suicide hotline as there is someone available 24/7. If you are reading this, you at least had the strength to keep breathing and read something interesting. I hope that you know you are not alone and that people love and care about you. There is no one in the world like you and you deserving of all things good and great.
My last update is about tennis! Next week, I’m going to string up my racquets with expensive strings that help me hit with more pace and begin to play practice matches. It will be rough at first, but I will get better at executing different strategies against different opponents.
I’ve waited so long for this stage of my career! I decided when I was 18 to try and turn pro, but it’s not until 10 years later that I’ve developed enough technique to hopefully stand up against the best in the world.
I am so grateful for this opportunity and I will try my best to stay humble throughout difficult moments. I’m so ready to embark upon the next stage of my journey! Thank you so much for your support. It means the world to me.
The view from my front door. This was one of the most beautiful days of the year. I spent the morning reading on my yoga mat next to a cat. 😊
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Achievements this year:
Subscribed to Spotify premium
Learned you can outgrow songs
Forgave the people who’ve hurt me
Forgave myself
Developed a love for yoga (I thought it was boring before)
Finished a journal I started in 2018
Confirmed I am truly happiest off of my phone and being fully present in my life
Learned the freedom of being completely honest with someone
Fell in love with açaí bowls + green tea ice cream
Things to work on in the new year:
Being more patient
Not being a bully
Not getting angry on the court
Meditating every day
Saving money
Eating more plant based meals
Unsubscribing and clearing out my 8000+ emails
Reading more often
Appreciating every sunset
What were your achievements for this past year and what do you want to work on in 2022?
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If you’ve made it this far, you have the patience of a saint! I truly hope our bond continues to grow stronger in the coming year.
I hope you continue to follow your dreams and that you see them come to fruition soon. I hope you are surrounded by light and love and laughter in the company of your family and friends. I hope good food graces your table often and you sleep long and well. I hope even in darkness, you never lose hope, and if you do, you have the courage to ask for help. The world needs your light and please don’t ever forget that.
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My favorite small businesses (Instagram handles)
@marsmermaids
@wildbohem
@shoprevari
@ecozondotorg
@theconsciousconsumer.me
@shophummingbee
@matthewlaviers
@mikeburnagephotography
@opolis_optics
@gladragspads
@swoonswimwear
@oliverflynnlifestyles
@alejandraduenas_
@sustainably.lucia
@therescuecollection
@theintentionalheart
Don’t forget that storms always end and the sun will never leave you for long.
The beach is my happy place. It’s my dream to live right on the beach.
Sometimes, you find the best views when you look up from your phone and look around you.
A younger version of me!