3. Share your 2022 New Year’s Resolution. How did last year’s turn out?
Every year at about this time I take a look at the previous years resolutions and make adjustments. I know myself well enough to know that I most likely did not achieve my goals. I do not write them on post-it notes and keep them tacked to my mirror. I do not hang a vision board in my office. I just sort of wing it. Chances are I succeeded at some on accident and failed at others. So let’s dig in, last year’s resolutions included:
1. Exercise Consistently = WIN!
At the beginning of 2021 I was frustrated that my gym had closed down and I was unable to workout for the duration of the pandemic. I did go back when things started to open back up, but the real breakthrough for me came when my friend GIFTED me a Peloton bike. I had encouraged her to buy one for herself and was so excited to hear all about it. She loved it…so she BOUGHT me one! It has been a game changer in terms of consistency, effort, and comfort. For 2022 I would like exercise to become so habitual that I actually look forward to it.
2. Double That eBay Income = WIN(ish)
Reselling is hands down the most fun job I’ve ever had. Pat and I spend a couple of hours at garage sales and estate sales on the weekends and then spend the weekdays listing those items online. We love discovering little treasures that we can place in new homes. One woman had been searching for a specific musical elf that her special needs son has owned for 22 years but lost. She was thrilled to see that we were selling one! I recently came across a family’s self-published heritage book and decided to search for them on Facebook to see if I could place it in the right hands before listing it on eBay. Sure enough, I found the family and they were thrilled to get the book back with their family where it belongs. So there are many rewarding factors to a job like this, and thankfully we have been able to monetize it well enough so that I can continue working from home. I don’t think we quite doubled last years income, but I think we came close! For 2022, why not double it again? That’s a good goal.
3. pay off HALF Our Debt = FAIL
Debt. Is. Impossible. I swear every time I think we’re making a dent in it, something else comes up. We did not pay off half our debt. We have three kids in sports, holidays, birthdays, two drivers and some college-bound students prepping to leave the nest. I don’t see an end in sight to the debt. How did my mother do this with six kids?? In a twisted way, I kind of enjoy the challenge though. Here’s to 2022 and my resolution to decrease our debt by…a quarter. lol
4. Master Bedroom Make Over = FAIL
Like really. With what money? Down the line I would love to see my bedroom repainted with new furniture and a lovely bedframe. I would love a gorgeous throw rug, dresser space, art on the walls, curtains and maybe a mirror. It was not in the cards for 2021 and I am taking it off the list for 2022 because our stairs still need carpet.
5. Read 21 Books = WIN
Now that’s my kind of goal! Doesn’t cost a thing and reading is a luxury so I’m here for it. I read 26 books in 2021 (about half of those are audiobooks). I’m currently finishing the delicious Bridgerton series. Let’s get crazy go for 30 in 2022!
6. I would like to see my long-hauler niece (Harper’s mom) make a complete recovery from covid = FAIL!
This one breaks my heart. Harper’s mom is still struggling. She contracted covid in March(?) of 2020 and has been sick ever since. I’m not sure how long-hauler works. It is almost as if Covid wreaked havoc on her body and threw it into autoimmune disease chaos. Her symptoms rotate and change, some days are better than others, but she’s been unable to work and has been to every doctor under the sun to try to determine what can be done. For 2022 I hope a magic pill is invented that makes her feel healthy again.
7. I would like to get through the year without anyone else in my family contracting the coronavirus = FAIL!
Laina actually contracted covid this year after someone on the volleyball team tested positive. We had Laina and Maile tested so that they could return to school and were shocked to see a positive result. Laina did not have symptoms, but did eventually lose her sense of taste and smell. Other than that she was utterly bored while quarantined in her room and tested negative about 5 days later. Nobody else in our house got it. It’s crazy to me how wildly different everyone’s experiences can be. I’m thankful she was able to bounce back, but do not want to play with that little virus again.
Last year I said, “I hope that in 2022 when I’m re-reading this post to see which of my goals I failed at, I will read the word “covid” and be like “oh yeah I forgot that was a big concern!” I desperately want things to go back to normal.” Sadly it’s still very much a dangerous virus and I can only hope we are no longer at its mercy at this time next year.
Lastly, I said I wanted to hang out with friends again, I wanted my kids to play sports again, and I wanted normal family gatherings. We got close! Everything is somewhat permitted as long as some degree of testing is done and/or masks are worn. I think that’s a step in the right direction!
For 2022 I would like to add that our family should eat more home-cooked meals and cut back on eating out. I read a book this year called Fiber Fueled that my sister forced on me. It has really helped alter the way I look at food that I’m sending down to the warriors in my “microbiome.” In 2022 my microbiome needs to thrive. I need to squash my sugar addiction, I need to take more pictures, and I need to be more productive with my time . In addition to this, Maile might be leaving for college in 2022 and I resolve not to lose my mind over this. I cannot imagine life without my little chickadees in their beds at the end of each day. I resolve to prep myself adequately for this transition and be JUST FINE WITH IT when the time comes (barring a virus does not rear it’s nasty head and shut our worlds down again).
Let’s tiptoe into 2022 together! Cheers!
Now it’s your turn!
Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back to add your name to the link list below. Be sure to sign up with the actual post URL and not just your basic blog URL (click on the title of your post for that URL). For good comment karma try to comment on the three blogs above your name!!
The Prompts:
1. Cheers! Write about how you plan to ring in the New Year.
2. Did you pick a Word Of The Year for 2022? Share!
3. Share your 2022 New Year’s Resolution. How did last year’s turn out?
4. Share your favorite moments of 2021.
5. Write a blog post inspired by the word: Gold
6. Write about what you think your goals were 10 years ago. What has changed since then? Do you have the same goals?
John Holton says
Is Harper eight years old already? Have I really known you that long?
So you had three wins, three losses, and one loss over which you had no control. I’d call that a pretty good year. I’ll have to look into audiobooks again. That sounds like a great way to get some reading done, something that I really need to get back to.
Happy New Year to you and yours! See you next year (ha ha)!
Mama Kat says
Did I write 8 years old? I think Harper is 6! She’s in Kindergarten this year!
You should download the Libby app, it connects to your local library and you can “borrow” books that you can read from your phone, ipad or Kindle. All of the books I listen to are through that app and free! If I take too long to finish the book, I can just renew it and it will pick up right where I left off. I can also keep a list of books I want to read so that when one is finished I can quickly get going on another one from my list. I love it!
Abby says
Well, you did pretty good there! Quite a list. And you have a friend who GIFTED you a Peloton?! My friend gave me a cat mug. I mean, it’s a cute mug…
Frustrating about Harper’s mom. I’ve known several people who’ve had COVID – for some, it’s very mild, yet two died.
Nice job reading 21 books. I recently gave in to the audiobooks from the library. It’s not lazy, it’s productive! Can’t just listen to headbanger music all the time either.
Happy 2022!
Mama Kat says
My friend is insane and beyond generous. I would have been perfectly thrilled with a cat mug! You have to get in the audiobook game. It IS productive, although I admit I glaze over a little when I’m listening and trying to clean or drive. I probably look like a robot. The Libby app that connects to the library is the way to go!