My year in review - 2016
It's time for another year in review. 2016 was a very eventful year for me! It seems many people feel that way.
I had big plans for 2016. It was supposed to be the year I got things done. Well... it didn't quite work out that way. Things got done, but most weren't even on my list.
I had a very difficult time with my daughter this year. We had a few crises. Things have stabilized a bit, but they still feel a little fragile. Perhaps it’s just how it is during the teenage years…
I had a bit of a breakdown at the beginning of the year and ended up taking February off of work to rest and recuperate. When you don’t deal with your emotions, it catches up to you, sooner or later. In my case, it hit me like a ton of bricks and forced me to stop.
Although I wasn’t quite ready, I went back to work in March. I still tried to take things a little easier than before my mental health break so that I could continue to work on healing, even though I couldn’t dedicate as much time to it as I did while I was off.
But there were some lovely moments during that time. For example, Mr. Romantic and I took a long weekend trip to New York City in March. Even though it was very early on in our relationship (a little over 3 months by then), we travelled very well together.
I didn’t really expect to like New York City, but I was charmed by its mix of old and new, and hopefully I’ll get to visit again.
For this trip, all I took with me was a backpack. And when I came back from my trip, I carried on with my carry-on for a month. So for a month, I wore mostly only what I had brought with me on that weekend trip, and it was totally fine.
In April, I had the bed bug scare which meant that I had to wash/clean everything I owned and bag whatever couldn’t be washed/cleaned to make sure I could kill whatever beg bugs we had (I only ever saw two) and prevent them from multiplying. I got covers for the beds and various types of traps to catch whatever was left. I never saw anything in those traps and didn’t see any signs afterwards, so I assume I got them all.
While going through this, I was grateful that I was a minimalist. The extra work extra stuff would’ve been would surely have been overwhelming! Nevertheless, it was exhausting going through what I had. However, I also realized that I was still holding on to unnecessary items, and got rid of some of them. So you know… silver lining…
My relationship with Mr. Romantic progressed fairly rapidly. It was almost effortless. We’re a very good match! By the end of June, we decided to officially live together. Our summer was filled with movies, camping, road trips, walks, hikes, packing (for me), and making room for me in Mr. Romantic’s home.
When September rolled around and my lease was up, I moved into Mr. Romantic’s house in Kanata. So back to the suburbs for me! Because it was more important for us to live than work on the house, we still have things to finalize from my move. Not everything has a home yet. Not everything should stay. But we’ll work on it throughout 2017.
In October, I changed jobs. I’m still with the same government department, just a different branch, and it’s been quite the change of pace! Unfortunately, I’m back to spending about 2 hours a day commuting to and from work. Though, I do have the opportunity to work from home once in a while. So on really bad weather days, I can skip the commute.
In November, I learned how to crochet granny squares. Crochet has become a new passion. However, I have to make sure it doesn’t totally take over my life and start to interfere with some of my responsibilities, like my share of the household chores and other personal duties. I find it very addictive!
December was a whirlwind of presents, food and family.
I didn’t write as much as I’d planned this year, but I haven’t given up on that dream. I still want to write a novel, and I will. It’ll just take longer than I anticipated, and that’s perfectly fine.
For 2017, I’ll just keep on keeping on…
We’ll slowly go through the house to make it more our home. I’ll continue to work on making sure that I only own what is useful or brings me joy… or both.
Mr. Romantic and I have a trip to Europe planned for late April, early May. I’m very excited about that! Even though it’s totally taking me out of my comfort zone, I love that I’ll get to experience this with him! I plan on only taking a carry-on with me for this almost 3-week trip. I’m sure it’ll work out.
I also want more camping, movies, road trips, walks, hikes, and adventures!
So, my friend, as 2016 draws to a close, let me wish you a year of love, health, adventure, and growth for 2017!
I had big plans for 2016. It was supposed to be the year I got things done. Well... it didn't quite work out that way. Things got done, but most weren't even on my list.
I had a very difficult time with my daughter this year. We had a few crises. Things have stabilized a bit, but they still feel a little fragile. Perhaps it’s just how it is during the teenage years…
I had a bit of a breakdown at the beginning of the year and ended up taking February off of work to rest and recuperate. When you don’t deal with your emotions, it catches up to you, sooner or later. In my case, it hit me like a ton of bricks and forced me to stop.
Although I wasn’t quite ready, I went back to work in March. I still tried to take things a little easier than before my mental health break so that I could continue to work on healing, even though I couldn’t dedicate as much time to it as I did while I was off.
But there were some lovely moments during that time. For example, Mr. Romantic and I took a long weekend trip to New York City in March. Even though it was very early on in our relationship (a little over 3 months by then), we travelled very well together.
I didn’t really expect to like New York City, but I was charmed by its mix of old and new, and hopefully I’ll get to visit again.
For this trip, all I took with me was a backpack. And when I came back from my trip, I carried on with my carry-on for a month. So for a month, I wore mostly only what I had brought with me on that weekend trip, and it was totally fine.
In April, I had the bed bug scare which meant that I had to wash/clean everything I owned and bag whatever couldn’t be washed/cleaned to make sure I could kill whatever beg bugs we had (I only ever saw two) and prevent them from multiplying. I got covers for the beds and various types of traps to catch whatever was left. I never saw anything in those traps and didn’t see any signs afterwards, so I assume I got them all.
While going through this, I was grateful that I was a minimalist. The extra work extra stuff would’ve been would surely have been overwhelming! Nevertheless, it was exhausting going through what I had. However, I also realized that I was still holding on to unnecessary items, and got rid of some of them. So you know… silver lining…
My relationship with Mr. Romantic progressed fairly rapidly. It was almost effortless. We’re a very good match! By the end of June, we decided to officially live together. Our summer was filled with movies, camping, road trips, walks, hikes, packing (for me), and making room for me in Mr. Romantic’s home.
When September rolled around and my lease was up, I moved into Mr. Romantic’s house in Kanata. So back to the suburbs for me! Because it was more important for us to live than work on the house, we still have things to finalize from my move. Not everything has a home yet. Not everything should stay. But we’ll work on it throughout 2017.
In October, I changed jobs. I’m still with the same government department, just a different branch, and it’s been quite the change of pace! Unfortunately, I’m back to spending about 2 hours a day commuting to and from work. Though, I do have the opportunity to work from home once in a while. So on really bad weather days, I can skip the commute.
In November, I learned how to crochet granny squares. Crochet has become a new passion. However, I have to make sure it doesn’t totally take over my life and start to interfere with some of my responsibilities, like my share of the household chores and other personal duties. I find it very addictive!
December was a whirlwind of presents, food and family.
I didn’t write as much as I’d planned this year, but I haven’t given up on that dream. I still want to write a novel, and I will. It’ll just take longer than I anticipated, and that’s perfectly fine.
For 2017, I’ll just keep on keeping on…
We’ll slowly go through the house to make it more our home. I’ll continue to work on making sure that I only own what is useful or brings me joy… or both.
Mr. Romantic and I have a trip to Europe planned for late April, early May. I’m very excited about that! Even though it’s totally taking me out of my comfort zone, I love that I’ll get to experience this with him! I plan on only taking a carry-on with me for this almost 3-week trip. I’m sure it’ll work out.
I also want more camping, movies, road trips, walks, hikes, and adventures!
So, my friend, as 2016 draws to a close, let me wish you a year of love, health, adventure, and growth for 2017!
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