Year Overview: 2021

You know that feeling when you’re working on a project, and you have 50+ tabs open, music on, jumping between pages and ideas so quickly you can hardly process what you’re doing? And then, at the end of the day or work session, you get to close them all out?

For me, rolling over into the New Year feels like that moment your screen clears—a fresh place to pick up when you come back. A clear head.

I’m closing a lot of tabs this end-of-year; not the least of which being the ever-ominous “Job Search” that has taken up so much physical and mental space—more on that later.

Here are some Highlights and Plights of 2021!

Highlights

1. Exploring New York with my bro before saying goodbye (for now!)

Daniel visiting the city with me was the perfect farewell. We made some precious memories that I’ll cherish forever! 

2. Joining a young adults group

It’s been a true blessing to connect with new people and be welcomed with such warmth and kindness.

3. Visiting friends in Austin (twice!)

From the Praxis weekend in April to just earlier this month for a Friendsgiving, I’m so proud of my friends and me for making the effort to get together in person. I love them and our adventures so much (even though I got stuck overnight in an airport on the way back to Washington and was awake for over 24 hours straight). Every time we come together, life gets better!

• 

• 

• 

• 

4. Reconnecting with my Washington State people and Charlie

Sharing life with my brother and dog and other familiar faces has been a restorative to the extreme. From game nights with friends to movie nights with family to reading with Charlie snuggling up against me; altogether, they’ve been a wonderful balm.

• 

• 

• 

5. Publishing two ebooks

Developing and releasing What College Won’t Teach You with my friend Mia Liang was surreal and such a labor of love. I’m so proud of our covid baby!

Writing and publishing We’ve Been Here Before was a real turning point for me, and it unlocked a new way of looking at my process. It also marked the first time I had beta readers for one of my fictional pieces! I highly recommend finding trusted pre-release readers.

Both projects have helped shape my character and writing for the better, and it’s only the beginning.

6. Accepting a Content Writer position with Sweet Fish Media!

Alright, alright—now the big one. I’ll be starting my new position as a Content Writer with Sweet Fish Media in the new year, and I could not be more thrilled about it!

This company/culture/position is what I’ve prayed for, and I thank God—and the incredible people at Sweet Fish—for this opportunity. The doors are flying open, and I am rushing to meet the future.

Plights

1. Resigning from my position and saying goodbye to my great co-workers at Lessonbee

Deciding to step away from Lessonbee and everything else in New York was one of the most taxing decisions I’ve ever had to make. It needed to happen, and I did it—I have no regrets, only gratitude.

That said, those goodbyes were difficult, and I’m so glad the internet exists for staying connected!

2. Getting coned out of roughly 1,000 dollars

Not much to say about this except DO NOT ENTER INTO A VERBAL AGREEMENT when it comes to housing, rent, and expectations regarding security deposits and move-out terms. Get that shit on paper or walk away.

3. Exposing myself to previously damaging environments again out of necessity

With every season there is rain. With every decision, there are pros and cons. This was an unfortunate but necessary step towards building the life I envision.

It’s only a season. Soon, the sun will come out, the clouds will part, and I will close this chapter.

4. Struggling to stay positive/battling loneliness

The fight was a hard one this year. It’s in my nature to be a little lonely, always—and that’s mostly okay—but in the same breath, it’s an awful lot to shove out of mind sometimes. I’m winning this battle. The war is ebbing. I have no plans to succumb to the gloomier side of my character.

And still, some days, I feel hollow, and nothing can touch it.

I learned optimism and joy from my mother—the real kind, mostly. And it’s that exposure that I bank into when warring off the bleak thoughts that come when left to my own devices.

It may be an uphill struggle, but I’m game, and my resolution is sound.

In summary, I kiss 2021 goodbye with all the usual mixed feelings (with an extra bit of anticipation dashed in regarding my new job). 2022 is looking to be a real page-turner of a year.

Thank you to everyone who has read along with me so far, and I wish you all a Happy New Year!