2023 Reflection
As the year draws to a close, and Christmas is peeking its head around this weekend, winking at me, I decided to write my final post of the year. We will be traveling to see family over the holidays, so I want to be full present and actually rest during our time away. I will get back to regular posting on the first Thursday of the New Year.
This was a year of many things. It was the Year of Sanderson, which was a kickstarter campaign from Brandon Sanderson. I received one new novel every quarter, and my sister and mother did as well, so we had a book club for each one. Each book was very entertaining and they also look gorgeous on my shelf, so it was definitely worth it.
I want to take a look at some of my goals for the year and evaluate myself. This post is mostly for me, but if you are like me, you’ll enjoy reading my 2023 wrap-up. Some of my goals included:
Read 36 books. I did not accomplish this. I read 17, which was more than last year, so I have no regrets. I read a lot of picture books out loud to my son, some of them multiple times in a row… so I am gonna cut myself some slack.
THE YEAR OF THRIFTING. I had a goal to thrift EVERYTHING this year. Everything non-essential, that is. Some things I thrifted include maternity clothes, presents, books, a rocker/recliner, kitchen utensils, and home decor.
Submit more poetry/write more poetry. This is always on my list of goals at the end of each year. This year, because of my friendship with
E R Skulmoski, I submitted more, wrote more, and even had poems published!! Collaboration is so so helpful.
Treat myself like a real writer. I wanted to be more consistent and intentional about my blog. This year I started posting more consistently, especially after creating my Substack, and I even have plans for more content and structure in the new year. For now, I am just very proud of the consistency I’ve maintained in the past few months.
Become a better homemaker. Though I struggled with a lot of anxiety this year, I did find ways to integrate a few new routines that have made keeping house much easier. I hope to continue this momentum into 2024, even if things get a little out of whack with arrival of baby girl.
Looking ahead to 2024, I want to be more intentional about gratefulness. I want to spend time regularly reflecting on what is good in my life, and celebrating it. I struggled so much to feel like myself again after my son was born, and I think I missed lots of opportunities be grateful. So in an effort to kickstart my brain in that regard, I’m going to do a quick monthly “highlight reel” where I name one cool thing that happened in each month!
January: Byron had surgery for a hernia, and while that was scary, it went so well and he recovered so quickly! Praise God for amazing doctors.
February: Annual Valentine’s day date, this time with our sweet little third wheel, Byron!
March: A favorite coffee shop from my college town opened a location in my city, and one of my close friends got the job as the manager! So of course I went with my sister-in-law on opening day!
April: Visited Connor’s parents in Indiana, and Connor took me to see Chicago for the first time on our way back
this adorable photoshoot happened in the hotel pool!
May: Byron started walking! (and also the new Zelda came out and I played it way too much)
June: Hubby and I celebrated our second anniversary! I made a cheesecake and Connor bought me beautiful flowers.
July: Found out we were pregnant with our second baby!
August: Went to Minnesota to attend my grandpa’s wedding. It was a joy seeing so many extended family members we haven’t seen in a long time.
September: Got the long-awaited dual bump picture with my sister just in time! My nephew arrived a little over a week later.
October: Unexpected visit from Connor’s younger brother and his wife. They stayed a few days, and Byron absolutely adored his uncle. Gave him a hug every time he came into the room.
November: Did the Writer’s Digest November Poem a Day challenge, and didn’t miss a day!
December: Spent a lot of time with family, eating good food and celebrating the holidays.
Thank you so much for coming along with me for my 2023 recap! I hope your holidays are merry and bright. I’ll see you next year!
This was a year of many things. It was the Year of Sanderson, which was a kickstarter campaign from Brandon Sanderson. I received one new novel every quarter, and my sister and mother did as well, so we had a book club for each one. Each book was very entertaining and they also look gorgeous on my shelf, so it was definitely worth it.
I want to take a look at some of my goals for the year and evaluate myself. This post is mostly for me, but if you are like me, you’ll enjoy reading my 2023 wrap-up. Some of my goals included:
Read 36 books. I did not accomplish this. I read 17, which was more than last year, so I have no regrets. I read a lot of picture books out loud to my son, some of them multiple times in a row… so I am gonna cut myself some slack.
THE YEAR OF THRIFTING. I had a goal to thrift EVERYTHING this year. Everything non-essential, that is. Some things I thrifted include maternity clothes, presents, books, a rocker/recliner, kitchen utensils, and home decor.
Submit more poetry/write more poetry. This is always on my list of goals at the end of each year. This year, because of my friendship with
E R Skulmoski, I submitted more, wrote more, and even had poems published!! Collaboration is so so helpful.
Treat myself like a real writer. I wanted to be more consistent and intentional about my blog. This year I started posting more consistently, especially after creating my Substack, and I even have plans for more content and structure in the new year. For now, I am just very proud of the consistency I’ve maintained in the past few months.
Become a better homemaker. Though I struggled with a lot of anxiety this year, I did find ways to integrate a few new routines that have made keeping house much easier. I hope to continue this momentum into 2024, even if things get a little out of whack with arrival of baby girl.
Looking ahead to 2024, I want to be more intentional about gratefulness. I want to spend time regularly reflecting on what is good in my life, and celebrating it. I struggled so much to feel like myself again after my son was born, and I think I missed lots of opportunities be grateful. So in an effort to kickstart my brain in that regard, I’m going to do a quick monthly “highlight reel” where I name one cool thing that happened in each month!
January: Byron had surgery for a hernia, and while that was scary, it went so well and he recovered so quickly! Praise God for amazing doctors.
February: Annual Valentine’s day date, this time with our sweet little third wheel, Byron!
March: A favorite coffee shop from my college town opened a location in my city, and one of my close friends got the job as the manager! So of course I went with my sister-in-law on opening day!
April: Visited Connor’s parents in Indiana, and Connor took me to see Chicago for the first time on our way back
this adorable photoshoot happened in the hotel pool!
May: Byron started walking! (and also the new Zelda came out and I played it way too much)
June: Hubby and I celebrated our second anniversary! I made a cheesecake and Connor bought me beautiful flowers.
July: Found out we were pregnant with our second baby!
August: Went to Minnesota to attend my grandpa’s wedding. It was a joy seeing so many extended family members we haven’t seen in a long time.
September: Got the long-awaited dual bump picture with my sister just in time! My nephew arrived a little over a week later.
October: Unexpected visit from Connor’s younger brother and his wife. They stayed a few days, and Byron absolutely adored his uncle. Gave him a hug every time he came into the room.
November: Did the Writer’s Digest November Poem a Day challenge, and didn’t miss a day!
December: Spent a lot of time with family, eating good food and celebrating the holidays.
Thank you so much for coming along with me for my 2023 recap! I hope your holidays are merry and bright. I’ll see you next year!
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