2022 Goals – The Review

The sun has set on 2022 and it feels like normality is well and truly back. Well, the new normal any way, as not everything will return to pre-covid.

How was 2022?

2022 brought some highs and lows, but compared to the last few years, I think it is safe to say it has been a lot better than the previous years.

Beryl

Let’s get the worst event of 2022 out of the way first. My mother-in-law Beryl died after a long battle with cancer.

I have already posted about Beryl’s death previously, but it was important that I highlighted it in my year-end blog.

Getaways

2022 saw us get away with friends a few times throughout the year. The majority of the breaks were staycations, whether that be a camping trip or a holiday park.

We went to Talacre Beach for a weekend, which included me zip-wiring on Velocity 2, and then there was also my first visit to the Lake District.

2022 also saw me return to Benidorm for the first time in nearly 20 years. A few of us went over to celebrate Carl’s 50th birthday. It was a good drunken time.

Theatre

2022 also saw the husby and I enjoy the theatre a number of times throughout the year. We finally got to see Six after 3 reschedules, thanks to Covid. It was fantastic that we’ve already booked to see it again this year.

The plan is to get a few other shows in again this year because it really is something that we both enjoy

Snowdon

A group of family and friends decided to climb Snowdon in memory of my brother for what would have been his 50th birthday.

The whole experience was a mixed bag of emotions. It started off all good and exciting but ended up wet and miserable.

Would I do it again? Not in September that’s for sure!

Goals review

At the beginning of each year, I set myself some goals that I would like to work on and achieve throughout the year. And this is how I got on with 2022 goals

Goal 1: Mental health

Generally, I would say that I ended 2022 in a much better position, mental health-wise. Especially after the last few years that we have gone through.

I also finally got the therapy that I was on the waiting list for. It was really helpful to assist with the anxiety and imposter syndrome and made me look at how I deal with certain situations and how they make me feel about them.

Although, there were still a few times when I had a few wobbles.

My imposter syndrome is still alive and kicking, but I am trying to not let it take control. In fact, I feel like my confidence at work has grown.

It’s well-documented that exercise and cross stitch can help with your mental health, and this is something that I have continued to do throughout 2022.

Additionally, I started getting into listening to audiobooks, especially autobiographies.

As I said, I am in a much better place mentally. Could it be time to come off the medication? Something I didn’t think I would ever say.

Achieved

Goal 2: Body confidence

When it comes to fitness, I feel like 2022 was a little stagnant. I have continued to exercise, and sometimes I can see a difference but generally, I don’t think it’s been rewarding.

In fact, while I have lost some weight compared to the beginning of the year, my body fat has increased from 20.5% to 23%!

One of the things I wanted to do was run more regularly. And while I have done the occasional run, it wasn’t as regular as I would like. So 2023 is something that I would like to tackle.

Also, I’m still not food clever. While the majority of the food that we eat is now homemade, I still don’t eat breakfast and I probably drink too much alcohol too.

However, this wasn’t the goal. My goal was to become more body confident.

I still suffer from body dysphoria, especially when it comes to my stomach. However, when I look in the mirror I am not totally disgusted with the way I look.

In fact, I have even posted a few “thirst traps” with my stomach on display.

It’s amazing what good angles and lighting do, isn’t it?

I am also remembering that we need to acknowledge that our bodies change throughout the day. If I look in the mirror at the end of the day, then I will look like a bloated pufferfish!

Achieved

Goal 3: Professional development

Professionally, I think 2022 has been a little hit-and-miss for me.

If I am honest, I don’t feel like I ended the year on a high, but I am taking my break to get myself ready for 2023.

One of the plans for the year was to get my professional website up and running. Which I did, albeit a temporary site using WordPress’ free site platform. The full intention was to create my own site, but that’s been placed on the back burner.

Additionally, I didn’t really post any blogs (two). so I have a lot to achieve/resolve in 2023.

Work-wise there has been some change. As mentioned earlier I felt that my imposter syndrome was holding me back, but I am now feeling a lot more confident in myself.

When I joined the company it was small, and I wasn’t really bothered about my role title. We were all on the same level. However, when the company grew, it became apparent that it does become important.

The role I was already doing could be seen as a senior role, and this was recognised, by my title being updated to reflect that. Additionally, I was given some additional responsibility to help with the team and company.

I also mentioned that I was now working nine-day fortnights, so the last Friday would be used for additional R&D. This was originally what happened, but then I started to do other things as well.

I would like to reintegrate that in 2023, which will also include time to blog for my professional site.

Semi-Achieved

Goal 4: Make a house a home the return

I feel like decorating the house is like painting the Forth bridge. Once you’ve finished, you need. to start all over again!

2022 saw us doing some updates to our home, which included finishing off laying the carpets, and redecorated the front room including some new furniture.

I also painted the vestibule, but I haven’t finished that project. I still need to complete the coat and shoe storage and to de-gloss the area.

In fact, we still need to de-gloss the whole house, it’s just a job that we can’t be arsed with!

2023 will be a continuation because there is. a lot of work we want. todo.

Semi-Achieved

Goal 5: Husby time

We definitely did a lot more “us time” in 2022 as planned. Whether that be a walk around the local parks, visiting somewhere like ‘Another Place’ or going to the theatre.

We didn’t always get out time each month, as our social calendars were too busy for us to do our stuff, but we definitely got time together.

But I feel like we achieved this, and want to expand on this in 2023

Achieved