Annual Reflection
Happy New Year 2022! As I have been doing for a few years in a row, I take time at the start of every year to reflect on the past year and to look forward to the coming year.
2021
Let’s not mince words – 2021 was difficult (read: brutal). We fumbled our way through the longest lockdown of the past two years – over 6 months in Toronto. Sheesh! We spent holidays in our “bubbles” and celebrated birthdays freezing our buns in the cold 🥶 We defined new terms like Zoom fatigue. And let’s not forget, omicron just in time for Christmas 🎄
Now, I don’t want to sound ungrateful. It wasn’t all bad. It was a challenging year at work – we had higher than normal turnover (just the nature of the market right now plus the pandemic baby boom 😉) and some new leadership. However, we were able to return to the office and actually see one another (albeit temporarily). I learned a lot and hired an amazing team! Small victories.
In addition, I launched my cabi business – yay! I have thoroughly enjoyed starting this business, learned a lot, connected with amazing women, and met the goals I set for myself. Cabi is an amazing company, with amazing product and customer service, and I’m looking forward to continuing my second season with Spring 22! I worked harder and more hours than any other year I can recall.
While I didn’t travel outside the country – something I love to do – I did take a short road trip to Ottawa and Montreal. It was lovely – great food, amazing culture, a spa visit… Just what I needed. Truth be told, I haven’t seen much of Canada – at least partly because it’s very expensive to travel within my own country. The original plan was to go out west, but with the wildfires in BC and the cost for hotels and a car rental in Alberta, I could have gone to Europe for less.
For me, the year ended with surgery followed by a head cold 🤒 The surgery was pretty serious – 2 days/nights in hospital and 6 weeks off work. And even for this I am grateful. Many elective surgeries were canceled earlier in the year and right after my own, so I am glad I was able to deal with this health issue. The head cold I could have done without – literally going through a box of tissue a day 🤦🏻♀️
2022
For me, a new year is like a reset button. We spend the holidays indulging in food, booze, parties and people (well… normally). I’m not a “new year, new me” kind of person. I’m more like a “new year, same me with continued improvements” 😁 So I set goals (not resolutions) for myself.
Just before I went on leave for my surgery, I was given the opportunity to participate in a leadership workshop (through work). It was great! Totally eye-opening. My word for 2022 is “balance” and conveniently the workshop incorporated a lot of that. For example, setting goals for every aspect of one’s life… so here they are:
Financial Goal: Invest in a second property. This one is looong overdue – this was on my 2020 list but then… pandemic. I think I’m finally ready to take the leap. It’s the debt that scares me 😬 By nature and perhaps nurture, I am risk averse. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Professional Goal: Grow my cabi business. This truly brings me joy and so I want to invite more of it in my life. If you flip to my “About” page, you’ll see that my goal with this blog, my Instagram and now with cabi is to empower women to find their signature style and their confidence along with it. Apart from the clothes, which are great quality and gorgeous, I value connections with amazing women.
Relationship Goal: Actively spend quality time with friends & family. I’m always there for my friends – no doubt! Shoulder to cry on. Ear to vent. Dinner date to eat and laugh. But I’m not often the one to reach out or initiate a get-together. So I want to change that and simultaneously do new or different things with my friends – not just dinner or drinks. Toronto is an awesome city with so much to do and to see and I want to indulge in it.
Mental Health Goal: Practice mindfulness & gratitude. This one is probably the most difficult for me to execute. I have tried, started and stopped many times, used different tools and tactics (like journaling and meditating) and it hasn’t stuck… YET. But, I shall try once again. I will even resort to calendar reminders if I have to – I like calendar reminders… just my personality. And, of course, continue seeing my therapist regularly for perspective on those more challenging life events.
Physical Health Goal: Workout 3-4x per week. In the last number of months, I’ve started to feel rather blah and it’s partly because I don’t move my body enough. Quite frankly, however, I haven’t been motivated to do much of anything really… But that has started to change (despite the latest lockdown). I purchased a Peloton to help meet this goal – everyone I know who has one, loves it. The cost of the bike alone should motivate me to use it 😂 I’ve already got two friends with bikes to help too.
Totally manageable right? I do not expect to take these on all at once. That would be overwhelming and doomed for failure. One thing at a time – slow and steady (like the hare 🐇). I’ve written it down now and shared it publicly so… accountability. The key to achieving these, IMO, is going to be patience (not my strength) – being forgiving of myself if I don’t do everything at 100% all the time. It’s about progress!
Stay tuned for updates 😘