Can you believe that this is my ninth consecutive Year in Review on ze blog?! It’s always so fascinating looking back on previous years’ overview posts and remembering all of the little moments that summed up each and every year. They always seem to transport me back to simpler times where I question why I was so worried about whatever was stressing me out that month or that year. It really does put things in perspective. In 2013, I remember I was so terrified about starting university. In 2014, I had just gotten my first kiss. In 2015, I transferred into the Business faculty from Education. And then, in 2016, I went through a devastating breakup. Every year seems to have its own special milestone in a sense and I can’t help but start off January trying to guess what that year’s uniquely specific milestone will end up being.
January – The start of 2021. My best friend has this theory that how you spend the period between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day will predict how the new year will be. I don’t know how much I believe in that, but let’s just say I spent New Year’s Eve sledding down a very rocky hill and it was a rollercoaster of emotions to say the least. But, that is exactly how this year went.
February – I started to learn how to ice skate this month. You might not think that is significant enough to deserve a whole month’s spot on my Year in Review blog post, but lemme tell you, it certainly is. I have been wanting to learn to skate for years and years. My parents put me in skating lessons when I was young but I, even with a pillow stuffed under my snow pants, hated every second of feeling so unbalanced on the ice. But yet, I finally built up the courage to try to learn once more in 2021. It might have been a rocky start, but with the help of my friends, I am slowly but surely on my way to becoming a professional figure skater. I might not know how to skate backwards yet or even how to stop, but hey, baby steps glides, right?
March – I turned 26 and I was devastated about it. There was not a single part of me that looked forward to turning 26. I felt it was just too old and it really crushed me that I wasn’t where I envisioned myself being at 26 years old. I really wanted to have a stronger hold on my career goals and be working my way up to owning a house. But alas, if there’s one thing that this pandemic has taught me, it’s that things rarely go as planned. This month also marked one year of working from home. It was a rough year to say the least but also incredibly rewarding. I’m glad that I got to experience the whole working from home escapade, but I also learned that I truly am an extrovert and I desperately crave people around me.
April – I saw the Northern Lights at Elk Island for the very first time in my life. You would have thought that living in Edmonton, Northern Lights wouldn’t be all that rare. And they’re really not. And yet, this was the first time I had ever seen them. They certainly didn’t disappoint. They truly are a magical sight. I also finished my second semester of the MBA program with a 4.0 GPA. The semester was incredibly stressful, but seeing all of those A’s made it somewhat worth it.
May – I got my first Covid-19 vaccination this month. I was so excited to get my shot and contribute to the world returning to normalcy one day. I also resigned another six month lease on my home at the end of May. It’s been one of the greatest experiences living alone and I’m so glad I took that leap of faith and moved out at the end of 2020. Read all about my experiences moving out here. My blog also turned 10 years old in May (May 16th to be exact). I am so incredibly thankful that little 16 year old me turned to Tumblr one day to share her thoughts and opinions with the world and hasn’t looked back since. Ten whole years of blogging. How are you not sick of me yet?! Hopefully here’s to ten more years!
June – I finished Invisalign in the month of June and it was one of the best experiences of my whole entire life. I never really thought that any sort of cosmetic enhancement (does Invisalign or braces even count as cosmetic enhancement?) would change my life so much, but my oh my, it is such a freeing feeling to just laugh with a wide open smile and not have to worry about who can see my teeth. I am truly so happy with my smile for the first time in my life. I also got my second Covid-19 vaccination in June and was so excited to be fully vaxxed. Nothing has ever felt better.
July – I received an MBA scholarship in July, which came as such a surprise. I didn’t apply for scholarships during the program because it felt selfish since my tuition was already being paid for by my employer. And so, when I received the email awarding me the scholarship, it was such a happy moment! It gave me that sense of pride over my grades that I sometimes seem to forget about. I also travelled to Toronto for the first time in July. Although I really wasn’t impressed by the city itself (shocking since I love New York so much and everyone says Toronto is the Canadian version), I also got to see Niagara Falls as well as cottage country, both of which I absolutely loved.
August – For most all of the pandemic, I have been worried about my job. The university is going through big budget cuts and like the irrational worrier I am, I was absolutely terrified I was going to be laid off. And yet, despite all odds, instead of getting laid off, I received a promotion. This promotion really couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s been an absolutely fantastic experience filled with so many learning opportunities. I love every part of my new role and it’s definitely been one of the major highlights of 2021.
September – September was a really tough month. It was full of transitions. I started my new role with a whole jumble of challenging (but incredibly exciting) responsibilities, began my Fall semester with a full course load, and headed back into the office. My whole routine was thrown off. I felt like I couldn’t catch my breath and everything was thrown off balance. But, just as I thought that 2021 was turning out to be an undesirable year for the most part, an old friend came back into my life and turned everything around. It was, and still is, the best thing that could have happened this year.
October – October was a great month. I felt truly happy for the first time in a really long time. It was the month of living life for me. I did so many things that I enjoy. I went on lots of walks with Oakley in the river valley. I threw a friendsgiving brunch for my besties where I made apple pie cinnamon rolls (with yeast! That’s how you know I’m a good baker). I started painting which turned out to be an amazing form of self care for me. I got a Costco membership. But best of all, I finally got to meet my MBA friends in person and hang out with them. It felt so good to turn those virtual connections into real-life friendships. They’re the most amazing people and I honestly don’t know what I would do without them.
November – The Red (Taylor’s Version) album came out. It was so much needed. At midnight, right when the album released, I went on a two and a half hour car drive with my dog, Oakley to listen to the album in its entirety. All Too Well (10 minute version) (Taylor’s Version) changed my life. It was the best form of therapy that I didn’t even know I needed. Bless you Taylor Swift. I also got a Christmas Tree in November. Although I moved into my place last December, I put off getting a Christmas Tree last year. But this year, I wasted no time. I got the most perfect tree with sage green and pistachio ornaments. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. It’s impossible to be sad when you have a twinkly Christmas tree. Going hand in hand with that, I also tried really hard to get into the Christmas spirit. I was determined to say the least. I did lots of Christmas baking, I made a gingerbread house, I watched countless Christmas movies, I listed solely to Christmas music, I opened my Advent Calendar every day, I went skating, I attended an Ugly Christmas Sweater party, I sipped candy cane hot chocolate and looked at all the Christmas lights and decorations around Edmonton. I have officially transitioned from the Grinch to Santa Clause.
December – I really thought December would be a month of relaxation because I took three weeks off both work and school. I can’t remember that last time I had three weeks off. But it ended up being the exact opposite. I had the busiest social life over the break. It was like my life was making up for everything I had missed in these past two years of the pandemic. And it was exactly what I needed. I didn’t have a single day over those three weeks where I just sat at home. Every day was a new and exciting activity with friends. I also finished up my semester with getting 100% on a final paper (that was 32 pages long and honestly, well deserved in my humble opinion). And then, the next day, I flew out to Vancouver and Whistler (check out my post about what I ate while I was there). While in Whistler, I stayed at the Fairmont (like the bougie bitch I am) and went to the Scandinave spa where I got a massage for the first time in my life. It was a wonderful trip. Oh yeah and my besties passed their CPA exam! Honestly the best way to end 2021! The biggest kudos to them.
The end of 2021.
2021 was really, really good to me. I felt like I learned a lot about myself this year and really discovered not only who I am but also who I want to be. It was the reset I so desperately needed in my life. As I said in my introduction, every year has been marked by its own lil’ special milestone. But, 2021 has been vastly different than past years. There really hasn’t been just one milestone. There’s been plenty. Almost too many to count. 2021 flew by way too quickly, however, it also somehow felt like it was ten different years wrapped into one. It’s been an absolute whirlwind, but in the best way possible.
I always hesitate setting expectations for the next, but I have a feeling 2022 is going to be the craziest year yet. Am I terrified? Absolutely. But I’m also excited beyond belief. Bring it on, 2022. I’m ready. (I think).
2020 Year in Review: https://when-im-older.com/2020-year-in-review/
2019 Year in Review: https://when-im-older.com/2019-year-in-review/
2018 Year in Review: https://when-im-older.com/181586291270-2/
2017 Year in Review: https://when-im-older.com/169469215827-2/
2016 Year in Review: https://when-im-older.com/155301288875-2/
2015 Year in Review: https://when-im-older.com/136279938943-2/
2014 Year in Review: https://when-im-older.com/106720896600-2/
2013 Year in Review: https://when-im-older.com/71760926730-2/