As the new year approaches I, like most people in the world, am taking the time to reflect on this current year. A lot of people are noting that this year hasn’t necessarily been a great one, but I think this might have been my best year yet. A year of growth, and that’s worth celebrating. You would’ve known all about it if I had posted all the posts that are currently sitting in my draft section, but I’ll try to fill you in now.
I started this year with a goal to get comfortable doing things alone and to do something creative each month. I tried out a bunch of different art outlets from smudge sticks and candle making, to visiting botanical gardens, trying out calligraphy and taking a rug tufting class. Although I enjoyed all of these creative things, nothing topped painting; I did paint by number, attended paint and sip classes, I tried out dip painting, and went back to my roots with painting pottery. Succeeding at these two goals brought me confidence and comfortability being alone, as well as newfound friendships.
I also explored a couple of career options this year. I started the year off with my Maryland real estate license and decided to hang my license with Keller Williams. After an unfortunate circumstance that landed Sephora needing surgery, I needed to explore job opportunities that would provide me with money quickly so I worked at a boutique for a while and became an instacart shopper. I did those miscellaneous jobs for a couple of months but decided to give them up when I switched brokerages and started with RE/MAX.
The last and most notable thing I did this year, was travel. I went to Jamaica in March, which isn’t too extravagant since I’ve been there many times, but it was the first time I had been there in almost 2 decades so it felt like a much needed trip. The trip was a quick one but it brought family members back together for a positive experience and that’s what truly matters. The second trip I took was to Bali. I wouldn’t have believed anyone if they told me that going to Bali was on my 2023 bingo card, but it was. I was too afraid to travel far before this trip which made it so shocking, but it felt like the right thing to do at the time and I’m glad I went through with it. The Bali trip made me realize that traveling is something worth experiencing and I hope to add more trips, whether big or small, in the new year.