2021 Wrap Up

I say “hell of a year” even if it was average because every year really is a gift. On the last day of the year, as I’m writing this, I’m reminded in very unfortunate ways. So my reflection starts with putting loss in perspective before gain. If that’s unappealing, stop reading. It’s my way of paying respects to those who passed and anchoring my mentality around being grateful (not something easy for me).

Lost

Loss is jarring. It changes you physically (physiologically) and mentally. It’s most profound if you haven’t experienced it before. Each loss is different, and you build calice over old ones, but some just hit harder.

My first reaction to loss was regret minimization: don’t create pain for others; don’t let those around you pass before they know how you really feel; don’t get attached to people, etc. Over time you realize loss (regret) is inevitable. Learn to live with it, not minimize its possibility.

So I’m reflecting on three losses; two happened today on the last day of the year.

• My Uncle passed away early in the year due to COVID. He left behind a wife and 18 y/o daughter. He didn’t get to see her graduate high school. He was the breadwinner.
• Earlier today a friend’s father passed due to COVID. His son, just born in Aug, won’t get to grow up with the mountain of a man that was his grandfather.
• Later on NYE another friend lost his brother right before the clock moved into ‘22. I lost my brother at 10, so this one resonates a lot. He was a husband and a father.

The end result is that folks pick up the pieces and life goes on. But it’s a reminder, for me, of how fleeting and fragile life really is. It can end unexpectedly, so appreciate it. Hug your loved ones, forgive people, tie up loose ends, etc. I’ll work on taking my own advice in 2022!

Gained

My Mantra for 2022 is: KEEP GOING.

A couple of highlights for me from 2021. In 2022 I’ll reflect on and unpack several of these in more detail especially my sobriety and therapy.

• Moved to Miami, FL 🌴🌞 in March.
• Paid off my student loans finally.
• Helped grow Archive. Learned a bunch, lots more to do. Gotta keep going.
• Traveled more than I ever have in a year. Colorado (Denver, Boulder, Longmont); Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Cleveland; Turkey (Istanbul, Izmir, Karaburun); Bahamas (San Salvador); New York (Essex, Middletown, Manhattan, etc.).
• Lost 21 lbs. Went up to 238 lbs during COVID. Down to 217, gotta keep going.
• Went back to Therapy. Off and on for 10 years but now I’m going to keep going.
• Sobriety. My sobriety date is Nov 7th and it’s important to me. I’ll keep going.