Is it just me, or did this year fly by? I know we were in the middle of a pandemic, but somehow I am surprised at how quickly time has passed even through the chaos. My maternity leave is coming to an end, my little guys are getting ready to re-enter/enter daycare and the big kids flew out yesterday to prepare for another stint of online schooling.
While I am preparing for all that 2022 is going to bring our way, I felt it was important to take a minute to reflect on what worked and what didn’t in 2021. Lets focus on my top three areas, shall we?
Career
Pros:
- I was able to put more focus on my coaching and work with more clients.
- I have had the opportunity to podcast with some incredible stepmoms and learn and grow from our conversations.
- There are some exciting plans for 2022 that I have been putting together!
Cons:
- I was unable to stick to most of my goals
- My motivation was not always present
- I didn’t prioritize my work the way I had wanted to
Family
Pros:
- My bond with my stepdaughter has really strengthened as she is entering into her teens. This one is huge for me because I have spent years worrying that she would develop resentment for having to leave her friends to spend summers/winter breaks with us.
- I have been able to stop walking on eggshells when my stepchildren are with us. I’ve come to realize their mom is likely not as critical of me as I once feared, and even if she was, that isn’t on me.
- I’ve taken on a new perspective of my role. There is a complicated explanation for this, but simply put, I see the other members of my family as people with opinions and capabilities, not as projects for me to overwhelm myself with.
Cons:
- I had a couple conversations that I wished I hadn’t with my stepkids
- My patience could be better with the kids
- I did not hold the family meetings I had planned on to ensure we were all on the same page
Personal Growth
Pros:
- I’ve taken a good hard look at my own issues and how they were affecting the people around me. This is a work in progress, but step one is to recognize our weaknesses!
- I’ve become more open to learning. I wasn’t always ready to consider others view points, but I am improving!
- My personal growth has become a priority. Whether that’s reading more about how to improve an area of my life or listening to more educational podcasts, it’s a daily focus!
Cons:
- I don’t feel there are any negatives. My intentions are set and i’m open to growth which is all I can ask of myself!
All in all, I think we had a pretty positive year! I’m going to put this out there, so please hold me accountable… I will be putting out a new blog post next weekend highlighting my goals for 2022!
Would love to hear about your reflections too! Find me over on instagram @TheStrugglingStepmom