In 2021, I felt less direction, less focus, my boundaries have become non-existent, my self-care took a back seat, and I let stress consume me and let little things ruin my entire day. I took out my frustration on my husband and I spoke badly about myself and my body. I broke promises to myself over and over and have developed a lack of trust in myself and my capabilities.

It was a hard year in my personal life. It’s heartbreaking to watch one of the people you love the most in the whole world self-destruct. Watch their depression, anxiety, and addiction take the driver’s seat and watch them hit rock bottom. It’s hard to focus on anything when you are dealing with a loved one and their addiction. It’s going to be a long hard road to recovery but I am going to be there every step of the way and support this person in every way that I can. Dealing with my own depression and anxiety has been challenging at times as well but I am grateful every day that I made the decision to go to therapy and continue to go. It has helped me so much through dark times.

Despite the struggles though, there were many bright spots! In January, I got my virtual assisting side hustle off the ground and started working with a dream client! We had our most successful gardening year yet! Many tomato salads were had! I love learning about growing food and this year I grew different types of flowers and that brought me so much joy! I also started my new Instagram page @sow.little.thyme to document our adventures in gardening and it has been a lot of fun! In June, we took a road trip to Yellowstone National Park for the first time to celebrate our second year of being married. It was such a fun trip and the scenery cannot be beaten! I started walking at my lunch hour almost every day for the second half of the year and it is the break that I need in my day. I was finally able to go work from home for the second half of the year and have enjoyed it so much. July brought a record-breaking heatwave to Western Washington and spurred my best purchase of the year…an inflatable pool for the patio! The luxury of being able to relax in a cool pool after a long day was so nice and I can’t wait to break it out again this coming summer! We went camping in the beginning of August with our friends and their kids over near Sequim, WA. We took my cousin’s kids to Monster Jam at the Tacoma Dome in September after being separated from them for over a year. We spent labor day with friends at a potluck neighborhood bbq! We celebrated my dad’s 60th birthday with a small get together on our back patio as well! I had so much fun creating my Spooky Season inspired outfit series here on the blog in October. In November, I finally got to meet my client Katrina in person when she came to Seattle for a speaking gig at the Pacific Northwest Dental Conference! She went out to dinner with Jake and me and then the next day I was able to see her in action when I attended her morning presentation. We spent Thanksgiving at our friend’s house and it was such a wonderful evening filled with delicious food! This month my brother and I were able to go over to our cousin Lydia’s house for an early Christmas lunch and I decorated my house up super festive and cozy and am so proud of how everything came together. And snow…on Christmas and for the week after!

It was a year of coming back together with friends and family, baby showers, planting flowers with my mom, Jake’s family reunion, video chats with friends near and far, Margarita’s and Practical Magic, and birthdays! I got through 23 books, had a LOTR marathon, finally got to go back to the movies, discovered new podcasts, got tons of cuddle time with Baxter and Jake, enjoyed many bubble baths, enjoyed a few of the final nights of summer on our now string light lit patio, and so much more! Jake’s friend Randy is here to visit for New Year’s Eve and we are staying in, my favorite way to celebrate!

I won’t say that 2021 was the worst year ever but it was still a struggle and I am kind of glad to see it go but grateful for the memories that were made throughout the year during this weird time in history. I am ready to bring on 2022!

Happy New Year to you all!