Happy (Almost!) New Year, everybody!
When trying to think of the right words to properly summarize my 2022 as a whole- two came to mind almost immediately. The first being “abundance.” This year saw an abundance of so many things in my life- be it time with my friends and family, career and creative endeavor opportunities, frequent travel to both new and longtime favorite destinations and health, prosperity and celebratory milestones for my loved ones and myself- which is the thing I’m most thankful for as we simultaneously prepare to bid farewell to this past year and get ready to kick off 2023 this coming weekend.
The second word to summarize my year, as cliché as it sounds, is “blessed.” After the tumultuous and traumatizing 2020 and 2021 all of us collectively went through in the wake of a global pandemic, political upheaval and economic uncertainty- I’m so grateful and humble to have made it out on the other side relatively unscathed and without having become completely cynical. I’ve still managed to hold onto hope and enjoy the little things as I navigated through the unknown and unprecedented- and I’m very, very thankful for that.
Although 2022 undoubtedly had it’s fair share of rocky moments and bad days (it happens to everyone!)– I’m pleasantly surprised and even more relieved that the good moments and memories of this past year far outweigh any negativity or tribulations- which is momentum I’m hoping I can continue carrying with me through the new year ahead.
I had started my 2022 with old fashioned flare and decadence with a weekend in Stockbridge, Massachusetts before I almost immediately flew down to Maryland to help out Andrew and the kids just as the first big blizzard of the year hit us head-on- which also happened to be the first significantly heavy snowfall either Haven and Archer had experienced at that point- which added to the fun and excitement as they were both so awe-struck and eager to go out and play in it. And although I didn’t know it then- given that I spent most of the Winter and beginning of the year staying local and riding out New England weather as I typically do- but that sporadic and impromptu trip would set the precedent for my adventures and experiences in the months to come.
By Spring, I was not only making more travel plans that extended beyond the Northeast- but I’d also joined forces with one of my longest of lifetime friends, Stef- to create our own podcast which launched in March. ‘Baking to the B Movies’, which recently wrapped it’s second season and will be returning again in just a couple of short weeks after the holiday excitement quiets down- remains one of my favorite side projects and something both Stef and I are truly proud of and passionate about. I get to laugh with one of my best friends, watch bad horror movies and eat great food. It’s a dream job!
And with the warmer weather, I was also returning to Maryland (and Vegas for the first of many Killers gigs I saw this year!) before I got to experience the privilege of a lifetime when I was the Maid of Honor at my cousin Paige’s wedding– which had been delayed for nearly two years as a result of COVID! It was, hands down, one of the most beautiful ceremonies and fun weekends I’ve ever been fortunate enough to witness and participate in. The wedding- having taken place at the beginning of June- was right in-between a triumphant return to Boston Calling, celebrating my dear friend Sean’s college graduation after many years of hard work- and a week spent in California exploring places like Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Disneyland (!!!) when Troy hosted me for a perfect vacation of new destinations I could scratch off my travel bucket list.
In the dog days of Summer, I opened up about the decade I’d persevered through since my father had unexpectedly passed away in 2012, and both celebrated/grieved when my brother, sister-in-law and niece moved away to Florida in July to embark on an exciting new chapter in their lives. I miss them a lot- but they’re loving their lives and thriving there- which makes me so happy to see and hear about!
As Fall eventually returned to the Northeast, I was again on the road to Vegas & San Diego to visit friends I hadn’t seen since before the pandemic had started and reunite with other friends and loved ones who were also visiting the area amid live music, art experiences and hiking in the desert. I also traveled to Schenectady, New York for the first time- and Syracuse for a friend’s family wedding!– right before I made a final visit to Washington, D.C. for the year. Finally, as 2022 began winding down and the holiday season approached- I embarked on a last out-of-state trip to Houston, Texas to sightsee and get educated at NASA before I remained a little closer-to-home in order to celebrate things like Thanksgiving and Christmas with all the local and beloved activities/events that were making a post-pandemic return to the public and community.
It may seem like all I’ve done is travel this year- and believe me and my frequent flyer points when I say it sure felt like it sometimes!- but I also worked (and got promoted!) at my full-time job, hosted my morning show at indie617, continued blogging regularly and recorded the aforementioned ‘Baking to the B Movies’ podcast. I have been going non-stop and firing on all cylinders throughout 2022 and honestly? I loved it! This has been one of the most invigorating, energized and rewarding years I’ve had in a long time- and being able to share my adventures and interact with so many people along the way by way of ‘Coffee & Chiffon’ or through social media has been a definite highlight of these past twelve months.
And now with 2022 coming to a close this weekend- I wanted to take some time to dive into the year in it’s entirety before I share my plans for New Year’s Eve and my resolutions for 2023- from the news stories that stunned us, the pop culture moments that entertained us, to the trends, viral hits/misses and pretty much anything and everything in-between!
This was 2022 – truly a year to remember!
I may not be leading this year’s post with news about COVID- but it’s still not great…: As excited and relieved as I am to not have to begin this year’s recap with yet another summary of COVID, what with widespread vaccination access becoming more available and the gradual reduction of mask and social distancing mandates around the globe- the pandemic was sadly overshadowed by another notable crisis shortly after the New Year when Russia invaded the Ukraine in late February, resulting in thousands of deaths and a dire refugee crisis as millions of Ukrainians were displaced in subsequent airstrikes and ground attacks- some of which targeted areas primarily populated by civilians.
The still-ongoing war as Ukraine forces continue to work to both take back Russian-occupied regions and maintain their foothold has drawn international condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. with extensive sanctions being imposed by multiple countries since the invasion started. In response, Putin has threatened further strikes and alluded to the possibility of nuclear warfare. It’s easy to see why news about COVID was a bit overshadowed this year.
With the world watching events unfold and the majority showing overwhelming support for Ukrainian citizens and opposition efforts- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy became the face of the Ukraine people and a worldwide symbol of heroism as he lead and remained with his defense forces despite being the target of multiple assassination attempts during the invasion. Zelenskyy’s refusal to abandon his people and country while simultaneously attempting to see them through a humanitarian crisis garnered overwhelming praise- so much that he was recently named Time Magazine’s ‘Person of the Year’ for 2022.
And ongoing tensions between the United States,- who provided both military and monetary aid to the Ukraine- and Russia only worsened this year following the arrest and conviction of WNBA player, Brittney Griner, who was taken into custody around the same time as Russia’s invasion began after being caught with a vape cartridge containing a small amount of medicinal cannabis while being processed within Moscow’s airport. The cartridge and it’s contents, still illegal in Russia- resulted in Griner receiving a nine year prison sentence in an all-female penal colony- where she remained until a prisoner exchange that took place earlier this month. Griner was released and permitted to return to the United States in a one-for-one trade for arms dealer Viktor Bout.
And now, heading into 2023- no one knows what will happen next- although speculation about Putin’s failing health means we could be down one less dictator by this time next year.
The U.K. went through it this year…: It’s usually the United States leading the way with political upheaval and controversies these days, but 2022 saw the United Kingdom going through every possible turmoil in such rapid succession that even we here in the U.S. had to ask if they were okay over there. In July of this year, it was announced that controversial and perpetually disheveled Prime Minister- Boris Johnson- had resigned from his position. He was then replaced by Liz Truss- another conservative candidate of some controversy, herself- in September.
Two days after appointing Truss the new Prime Minister, Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96 of old age after a reign that surpassed over 70 years, beginning a lengthy period of tributes and a designated time of mourning- including queues for the public to view the Queen’s casket that extended for miles and lasted for hours- all of which led up to the actual funeral weeks later on September 19th. The procession, attended by world leaders and diplomats, surviving family members and descendants- was televised worldwide. Elizabeth’s oldest son, Charles- is now the King, although his coronation isn’t scheduled to take place until Spring of next year.
In October, and after only serving 45 days as Prime Minister- Liz Truss announced her resignation as Prime Minister- making her term the shortest in the United Kingdom’s history.
And somehow, through all of this- terroristic “journalists” like Piers Morgan and Angela Levin still blamed Meghan Markle for pretty much everything and all but spontaneously combusted when she remained unbothered and thriving throughout 2022. She may be a Duchess by title- but she’s a Queen to me!
What the hell is going on in the Supreme Court?: Things were looking up for the Supreme Court’s murky reputation when Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination was announced by President Biden earlier this year following Stephen Breyer’ retirement from the bench. Jackson, who would go on to become the first black woman in U.S. history to serve on the Supreme Court- was sworn in June 30th following painful-to-watch attempts made by perpetual traitors (and proven cowards) Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley to derail the initial confirmation hearings. It seemed there would be some much-needed nuance in the court given how the public had reacted to Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett’s questionable confirmations and even more questionable allegiances.
However, also in June- and much to the horror of women everywhere who were assured it would never happen- the Supreme Court overruled the landmark Roe v. Wade decision weeks after a leaked draft of a majority opinion had been released to the public- sending laws surrounding abortion access and reproductive rights back to the state court levels. Almost immediately, predominantly red/conservative states began outlawing access to safe reproductive healthcare while many women hit the streets to protest, confront Justices while they were out in public, and begin grassroots organizations to assist women in need of out-of-state travel to obtain healthcare.
If that hadn’t been enough to lose faith in the process and the court itself- 2022 also saw leaked texts between Ginni Thomas, wife of Justice Clarence Thomas, and the White House Chief of Staff where Thomas urged the overturning of the 2020 Presidential Election results. Further digging into Thomas’ correspondence showed an extensive amount of QAnon-related lunacy, conspiracy theories and unfaltering Trump support that in-part helped perpetuate the January 6th attack on the Capitol last year.
In light of his wife’s correspondence and behavior- it’s speculated that Clarence Thomas could be asked to recuse himself from overseeing certain cases, if not remove himself from the bench entirely.
And all I’m saying is please stop letting corrupt people with not-so-hidden agendas and/or influential spouses who may-or-may-not-be certifiably crazy have positions of power or authority in 2023. Please. I’m begging.
“The Slap Heard ‘Round The World”: I genuinely feel bad for any actors/actresses/directors/producers/etc., etc. who made history or won any awards at this past year’s 94th Academy Awards- because it was completely overshadowed by the most insane 30 seconds I think any of us had seen happen on live television in a very, very long time.
While presenting the nominees and winner of the ‘Best Documentary’ category, comedian Chris Rock had made some jabs at attendees that were within view from the stage- including Jada Pinkett-Smith- marking remarks about her shaved head. Pinkett-Smith, who had come forward in 2021 about her struggle with alopecia, was clearly not amused. Will Smith, meanwhile- got up and approached the stage while Rock was continuing with his monologue- ultimately slapping him across the face before returning to his seat and shouting expletives while a stunned audience looked on.
Smith was seemingly not asked to leave, and would go on to win the ‘Best Actor’ award that night for his performance in ‘King Richard’- where he apologized to the Academy and other nominees for the outburst. His speech, long-winded and uncomfortable to watch at times given what had happened less than an hour earlier- received a standing ovation from those in attendance at the ceremony.
In the days following the incident, Smith relinquished his Academy membership and was subsequently banned from attending any Academy-related events for ten years. He has since issued multiple apologies in interviews and across social media, while Rock has referenced the incident in his minimal public appearances since the slap took place.
Out of all the trials this year – only one completely took over social media: There was no shortage of courtroom drama in 2022. Alex Jones being forced to pay a billion dollars to the Sandy Hook families, Ghislaine Maxwell getting a 20-year sentence and R. Kelly getting a 30-year sentence for being predatory monsters, and most recently Elizabeth Holmes getting slapped with an 11-year sentence for her role in the Theranos fraud- but there was one trial in particular that people were actively tuning into and feverishly live-Tweeting every single day.
In the Spring of this year, the defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard was underway- with each party suing the other for millions worth of damages following Heard’s 2018 op-ed in The Washington Post detailing the abuse she had suffered throughout the course of their marriage. While Depp had previously been unsuccessful in defamation suits filed in the U.K. where it was noted in the rulings that there was substantial evidence to corroborate Heard’s abuse claims- the court of public opinion during the live-streamed trial in Virginia this year had already deemed Heard the abuser and Depp the victim long before horrifying text exchanges, e-mails, photos and audio/video recordings were released and testimony/cross-examination began.
Based on everything seen/heard and discussed- it was glaringly obvious that Depp was not by any means completely blameless in the breakdown of his marriage and the stalling of his career- however the jury disagreed- awarding Depp $15 million in damages and only $2 million to Heard in her counterclaim. The verdict, celebrated by Depp fans- was heavily criticized by domestic violence and sexual violence survivor advocates who expressed concern that the over-the-top spectacle and gleeful public humiliation of Heard across Twitter, Instagram and TikTok throughout the proceedings could potentially cause a ripple effect and dissuade victims from coming forward and/or sharing their own stories in the future for fear of the same retaliation or response.
Earlier this month, after filing an appeal to the decision in October- it was announced that Heard had ultimately agreed to settle with Depp out of court- stating on her social media that she did not have the emotional and psychological capacity to endure another trial and media circus.
A post-pandemic “return to normalcy” had repercussions here in the United States: As demoralizing and depressing as COVID-related closures, cancellations and long-term remote living could be at times- one of the upsides was that there was a significant drop in mass shootings here in the States. Of course, when schools, businesses, venues and overall public gathering spaces and events opened and resumed as normal again- so did the non-stop tragedies.
Shootings in America are sadly nothing new, but after two years of not having to see them splashed across the headlines nearly every day- the ones that happened in 2022 just felt like even more of a gut-punch- especially because people were so excited to congregate again once mandates were lifted and restrictions were loosened.
There was the shooting at a 4th of July parade in Highland Park, leaving seven dead. There was a Virginia Walmart shooting in November by a disgruntled employee, which left six dead- and an attack on a LGBTQ club in Colorado, also in November, left five dead and many others injured. This attack in particular was one of the deadliest crimes committed against the community throughout 2022- as emboldened far-right extremists have been targeting drag shows, pride events and hospitals offering gender affirming care over the course of the past year.
Perhaps the most grim event, however- was the May mass shooting that took place at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. This shooting, the deadliest since Sandy Hook- left nineteen children and two adults dead. Although no gun reform has come from this event, or any of the events this year- the Uvalde police force in it’s entirety was suspended due to their completely botched handling of stopping the shooter and their behavior towards frantic parents at the scene.
It was more accountability than I think most people had expected given our country’s history- but still not enough to make things right.
Nature continued to be unpredictable and scary at times: In late September, at the height of hurricane season- Hurricane Ian formed and quickly made it’s way across the Atlantic and towards Florida with winds reaching up to 155 MPH. By the time the hurricane made landfall, it was clocked as a category 4 storm- and was deemed the deadliest hurricane to strike Florida since 1935 when it was determined in the aftermath that 157+ people had perished and that damages surpassed $50 billion- with places like Fort Meyer and Naples being the hardest hit as they were right in the storm’s path.
Recovery efforts and rescue crews were quickly underway once the storm had passed given the significant damages, mass power outages and an influx of missing person reports flooding first responders and social media- and even now, rebuilding of many homes and structures are still ongoing. The hurricane marked the first of catastrophic levels my brother, sister-in-law and niece experienced since moving to Florida in July of this year. They’re thankfully all okay, and only experienced minimal damages to some trees on their property.
And despite his state being in massive need of aid in the aftermath of Ian’s wake- Governor Ron DeSantis prioritized deceiving and trafficking Venezuelan migrants across state lines when he flew unsuspecting asylum-seekers looking for work and educational opportunities to Martha’s Vineyard in the Fall, only to leave them stranded and with no information.
Massachusetts’ locals were quick to assist with providing shelter and necessities while our Governor worked to relocate them and/or find support services for the men, women and children that had been brought and subsequently abandoned here by a guy who has shown time and time again he doesn’t really care about his constituents.
When you pay $44 Billion and still can’t make people think you’re funny: Earlier this year, after taking issue with being unable to control the narrative surrounding him when it came to what is undoubtedly the most popular social media platform- and following a lengthy lawsuit- apartheid emerald mine man-child and SpaceX/Tesla CEO Elon Musk became owner and CEO of Twitter, as well- and this began the downfall of the app as Musk proved (yet again) that he is incapable of building, bettering or simply sustaining anything on his own without it going off the rails.
After massive layoffs, Musk gradually rolled out a pay-for-verification option- resulting in hilarity as users created fake accounts representing brands and corporations- and subsequently tweeted some of the most insane and often inappropriate things, at times causing real issues for the actual brands/companies. This feature was quickly tweaked, only to be followed-up by a series of permanent bans of anyone even remotely critical of Musk and the reinstatement of some of the worst bigots, racists and conspiracy theorists that had previously been banned for inciting hatred and violence- resulting in public backlash and consistent declines in Tesla’s stock value.
While Musk attempted tot save face, trying to sarcastically tweet through the disaster of his own making (which is actually the first thing he’s actually created on his own and didn’t just take credit for someone else’s work)– he held a poll for users to vote as to whether or not he should remain as CEO- and the results were overwhelmingly for “no.” At the same time, Musk was booed into silence and eventually off the stage completely during a recent Dave Chappelle stand-up gig in San Francisco where he had made a guest appearance.
It’s widely speculated that Musk is being pressured to step down as Twitter’s CEO by investors who have had enough of his shenanigans, so I’m really hoping I get to write about that at the end of 2023.
I just want this monster to go away forever- but this was legitimately golden: In the Summer of 2022, it was revealed that the FBI had conducted a search of Mar-a-Lago, the home of former president Donald Trump- leading many to speculate that his entirely too long list of fraudulent, criminal behavior was finally catching up to him as he continued efforts to scam supporters and organizations with Godawful NFTs or raising money for his “re-election plans.”
It was reported the search was the result of three pending criminal charges, including a violation of the Espionage Act and obstruction, and when the results of the search were revealed the public- it was just too good to be true. A plethora of classified and national security documents that had seemingly been stolen were recovered- and those that hadn’t were reportedly destroyed by Trump and his staff- be it by shredding, burning or flushing them down the toilet (yes, really.)
Since then, legal proceedings have been underway- with Trump’s lawsuit challenging the “raid” having recently been thrown out by a Judge. But it sounds like the search is the least of his worries right now, as the House Committee investigating the January 6th Capitol attack have finished their report and have voted to issue criminal referrals/charges against Trump- which might sour his plans to run for office in 2024.
And unless he’s taken away in handcuffs in 2023- I really don’t want to write about him again.
And finally, we lost a few along the way this year…: As is the case with every year, 2022 had it’s fair share of heartbreaking and surprising losses of beloved icons, talents and trailblazers. Some deaths were the result of natural causes or long-standing injuries, like Olivia Newton-John’s ongoing battle with breast cancer or Sidney Poitier’s Alzheimer’s disease. Others, like Taylor Hawkins’ cardiac arrest, Anne Heche’s car accident and the slip & fall death of Bob Saget- left many stunned.
2022 also saw an alarming number of our favorite “movie mobsters” pass away- like James Caan, Ray Liotta, and Paul Sorvino- which made their most beloved films (and some of the best movies ever made, in my opinion)– trend on multiple streaming services in the days/weeks after their deaths.
And as I write this, it was only just announced that Vivienne Westwood passed away- which is eerily similar to when Betty White passed away last year while I was writing my 2021 recap. This is the part of these “year-end” posts that makes me the saddest.
Please stay healthy and safe in 2023, everyone.
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Now there are undoubtedly plenty of other headlines that could have made this year’s round-up, for sure- but I’ve got to end this thing eventually! The above-headlines were personally the stand-out ones to me and the ones that are continuing to make waves in the days/weeks/months since they occurred.
But if you’re still looking for more 2022 content and reflection- I have some other, smaller stories to talk about! Some of these headlines are still developing, while others are gone-in-a-flash phenomenons that we’ll all look back on someday and wonder what ever happened to them!
Here are your Honorable Mentions of 2022!
– ‘Wordle’ was so wholesome: It’s not very often when a simple word game captures everyone’s attention and when the results to each day’s puzzle are shared across so many platforms of social media- but we all loved ‘Wordle’ in 2022- especially when we learned the creator, Josh Wardle, had basically created the guessing game for himself and his partner to play together.
Every day a new puzzle generated on the Wordle website- where users had six attempts to guess what the five letter word was using the power of deduction and colored tiles as reference points. You could share your results with fun little graphics on Twitter and Facebook while waiting for the next day’s puzzle to generate at midnight.
After Wardle sold the game to the New York Times earlier in the year, it’s popularity seemed to gradually fizzle out- although I admit I still play it from time to time.
– Do I owe my student loans? No? Yes?: It was announced earlier this year that Joe Biden’s Student Loan Debt Forgiveness initiative was getting ready to open to the public, giving borrowers the opportunity to have anywhere from $10K – $20K forgiven on any existing loans. The relief was welcomed by many who had been repaying overly inflated interest rates for years leading up to the still-ongoing payment deferment set in place in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, after millions submitted their applications for loan forgiveness- it was announced that the initiative had been blocked within Federal Court- with appeals immediately filed. The arguments will eventually be reviewed by the Supreme Court next year- but in the meantime many are reassessing their finances to determine what will be the best options and decisions to make pending whatever the final ruling will be.
– Tom Brady, the newly-single GOAT: When Tom Brady announced his retirement in early 2022, there was a lot of speculation about what he’d do next. Commentary? Coaching? Would he simply spend time at home with his family? 40 days later, however- it appeared he changed his mind when he then announced his un-retirement- returning as the quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 2022-2023 season.
Almost immediately, rumors of marital issues between he and his wife- supermodel Gisele Bündchen- began to swirl, with tabloids and Twitter sharing tales of arguments, living in separate residences, etc. The rumors were confirmed in October of this year when both Brady and Bündchen released individual statements announcing their imminent divorce after 13 years- which may explain why the Buccaneers keep costing me money this season.
– Defacing artwork was apparently a thing: Throughout 2022, stories from select art museums around the world made headlines when climate activists continually defaced priceless and famous paintings (which thankfully were not permanently damaged) by throwing cans of soup, mashed potatoes or paint at works by Monet, Van Gogh and Gustav Klimt. The destruction, often caught my bystanders’ phones- was usually followed by the protestor super-gluing themselves to the gallery walls or being forcibly removed by security while shouting about global warming.
And while climate change is indeed very serious and should be treated as such- the destroying, or attempted destruction of important art- seems incredibly pointless and unrelated to the actual issue itself.
– We can all admit Kanye is just a terrible person now, right?: Has there ever been a harder and faster downfall than Kanye West this year? The rapper turned designer turned abusive ex-husband and dangerous stalker of his ex-wife finally made the full swing into full-blown anti-Semite this year- threatening violence against the Jewish community on social media and expressing pro-Hitler rhetoric on talk shows- which have resulted in him being banned across multiple platforms and nearly every corporate deal or business partnership he’s had coming to an immediate end.
And while many people have been making excuses for Kanye for years, citing mental health struggles and deeply-rooted trauma- it seems many are finally coming to accept what has been glaringly obvious for a long time now- he’s just a garbage human being.
– Swifties are going to END Ticketmaster: Ticketmaster, who have long held a stranglehold over music events and venues- charging astronomical service fees and allowing scalpers to wreak havoc on their flawed pre-sale systems and re-sell tickets at 10x what they’re worth without consequence- appear to have met their match when their failures as a greedy conglomerate disrupted the pre-sale of Taylor Swift tickets this year after the singer/songwriter announced her upcoming 2023 ‘Eras’ tour.
With queues that lasted for hours, only for tickets to either be sold out or already tripled in price for sub-par-seating- the fan base was outraged- and since then multiple class action lawsuits have been filed against Ticketmaster for deceptive practices and for allowing predatory scalpers and bots to take advantage of would-be concert-goers.
And honestly- if anyone can finally take down Ticketmaster- it’s Taylor Swift fans. They are TENACIOUS.
And there it is- 2022 in all it’s glory! But wait, there’s more!
I’m going to be heading back to my beloved Salem, Massachusetts this year to ring in 2023 with Troy in a bed & breakfast we last stayed in circa 2014/2015 when we were just a couple of crazy kids. It’s going to be a quiet and cozy night in following what I’m sure will be an incredible dinner at a highly-recommended restaurant downtown where we were able to snag a reservation- especially since our room has a fireplace and a hot tub. What else could you ask for? Maybe a little champagne? Well I’m buying the bubbly beforehand!
And, as is tradition- I’ve made a little list of resolutions I’m hoping to work on and accomplish throughout the course of 2023. Here’s what I got!
1. Improve My Overall Health: I know that pretty much everyone puts this on their New Year’s “to-do” list- but my ambitions go beyond just improving my physical health and fitness (but that is on the list, too!) In 2023 I want to be more mindful of my emotional and mental health, too- focusing on keeping my stress levels low and participating in more things that make me feel joy and “complete,” if that makes sense.
I find that when I’m in a good place emotionally and mentally- it’s easier for me to stick with fitness regimens, healthier eating, etc. I make better decisions for myself and my body overall when I’m not exhausted or overwhelmed- which is just reaffirming my belief that it’s all connected!
I’m going to work more with my therapist in the coming year, take up some new hobbies to keep me more active- and finally (see: hopefully) master some breathing techniques to reduce anxiety when I’m feeling the road rage or work-stress building!
2. Save Money/Develop a New Financial Plan: Saving money is another big one on everyone’s’ list, but my reason for wanting to focus on my finances a little more in 2023 is because I’m thinking of becoming a first-time homeowner within the next five years- which is a big deal for a longtime renter like myself! I know the type of house I want, and have a vague idea of the location I’d hope that house would be in- so having some additional financial padding to help me achieve that dream is very important.
I did well with my finances in 2022, and was able to do so much traveling without breaking the bank- so I think I can pull it off!
3. Revamp My Wardrobe: This is a resolution I carried over from 2022 since I’m still actively working on it! Every season when I rotate my wardrobe, I’m always left stunned at just how many clothes I didn’t wear or had completely forgotten about- including one-of-a-kind vintage pieces that deserve so much more love than what I’m currently giving them.
I’ve got a good eye- at least I’d like to think so- but I forget about things once I hang them up!
In 2023, I’d like to showcase more of the gems within my closet and improve my overall style while donating/gifting the things that either don’t fit me anymore or don’t make my heart burst with joy the way they used to!
4. Improve My Time Management: And finally, in the coming year ahead I want to make sure I’m giving myself a fair work/life balance- not working too hard but not being lax about my responsibilities, ether! This, to me, is the easiest way to stay on top of deadlines and my caseload at my full-time job so I’m not becoming overwhelmed- while giving me plenty of free-time to enjoy my travels, time with friends/family, and other side projects I have going on throughout the year.
This one sort of ties in with the “Improve My Overall Health” resolution in some ways- but I felt it was important enough that it warranted it’s own standalone space in this list!
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And there it is! My full look back on 2022 in all it’s wild twists & turns and ups & downs! I always love putting these posts together, even though it’ takes a considerable amount of time and research. It’s such a fun way to look back and reflect on these last twelve months that have seemed to just fly by so quickly- and be reminded of the good times, the less-than-good times and everything in-between!
I’m going to be away until next Wednesday for an extended long holiday weekend, when I’ll be back to blogging regularly again and sharing some photos from my New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day adventures! If you’d like to follow along, you can check out my social media links on the ‘Coffee & Chiffon’ homepage!
Until then, I wish you all a joyous and happiest of New Year’s filled with love, peace and hope for the year ahead. Regardless of what your plans are for the final hours of 2022- I hope they are something you can look back on and cherish forever!
I love all of you so much! See you all in 2023!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 