2021. What a blur of a year. After COVID-19 brought 2020 to a grinding halt the year felt more like 10 years in one. In comparison, 2021 felt like it was over in the blink of an eye. Anyone else??
This year brought about big life changes for me. We moved into our new house in November 2020, so much of 2021 included settling into our new space and making our house a home. 2021 was also the year Billy and I FINALLY got married after a COVID wedding postponement.
While 2021 brought many, many happy days, I can’t lie that I started the year feeling a bit lost and hopeless. I knew just because 2020 came to a close didn’t mean that life would immediately go back to normal, but still dealing with the effects of the pandemic in a second calendar year really started to take a toll on me. Before the vaccines became available to the general public, I was still working from home and not seeing much of my friends or family. It was definitely a lonely season, especially because Billy was back to working from the office.
Luckily I had the privilege of getting my vaccines in March and I returned to working in my downtown office in April. I closed out the last of my virtual work events in May and it seems like after a summer of my wedding and honeymoon I hit the ground running at work with in-person events (including tons of travel) and didn’t come up for air until December.
I love taking time to reflect on the past year and plan for the year ahead. Reliving the year through my phone camera roll is one of my favorites. I love the sense of a fresh start- a new day, week, month, year. While I’m not into setting “resolutions”, per say, I do think it’s important to write out what I want out of the year ahead. Manifestation is powerful.
So here’s a recap of my 2021:
JANUARY
- The first photo on my camera in 2021 was of my New Year’s Run. Seems fitting. It’s one of my absolute favorite holiday traditions.
- I attended (virtually) and passed my training to teach Pure Barre Empower classes.
- I got to stand by my ADPi Little/college roommate, as she got married.
FEBRUARY
- Not a ton to show for on my camera roll besides new recipes. This was probably the month I struggled the most with just longing for some sense of normalcy and missing my friends and family.
- Simultaneously, I completed my certificate from Cornell in Nutrition and Healthy Living. I learned a lot and it’s something I’m really proud of.
MARCH
- I hosted a virtual race through my job throughout the month of March to raise money for student scholarships. Crazy rewarding and I felt my passions aligning with my work. Love that.
- I taught a pop-up class for Pure Barre Columbia at Tasty As Fit, a local vegan restaurant. So. Much. Fun.
- I ran a virtual half marathon (Hops Trot) with the goal of PRing and hitting a sub-2 hour time. I ran it in 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 3 seconds. Still a 10 minute PR for me, but I was definitely disappointed I didn’t hit that sub-2.
APRIL
- I went back to work in the office after 13 months remote.
- Billy and I took a spontaneous weekend trip to Savannah, GA. Highly recommend not overthinking it and just doing it if you’re able. Seriously- prioritize memories over stuff.
- I had my bridal portraits taken and had the most wonderful bridal shower with family friends.
MAY
- Billy and I hosted a Kentucky Derby party at our house, marking the first time our friend group had been together in over a year (can we all just agree COVID is the worst?!).
- We flew to Texas to see my cousin get married (the fam had a BLAST) and Billy and I made a pit stop in Waco. When in Texas, am I right?!
- I stood by another college roommate/sorority sister as she married her college sweetheart.
JUNE
- I had the sweetest bridal shower with my Pure Barre family AND had the most wonderful friends throw me a surprise bachelorette.
- Also the month we finally got MARRIED!!!
- Flew to Punta Cana and spent a week in paradise with my husband.
JULY
- I turned 26 and celebrated with a morning run with Billy and a rooftop bar with friends at night. Two of the best ways to celebrate, in my opinion.
- My family was finally able to visit Columbia and see our house!
AUGUST
- Another spontaneous weekend trip with Billy. This time to Isle of Palms.
SEPTEMBER
- September kicked off college football season, and I traveled to East Carolina University and the University of Georgia for work.
- The annual Quinlan beach trip to Hilton Head Island.
- Hit my sub-2 hour half marathon goal!! Too bad it wasn’t at a timed race haha!
OCTOBER
- My dad and I finally got to run a half marathon together in Knoxville, TN!
- Quite possibly the craziest work month of my life. I hosted the University of South Carolina’s Homecoming Weekend and traveled to the University of Tennessee and Texas A&M University for work/football.
NOVEMBER
- Billy and I traveled back to Tennessee to watch the Bucs defeat Mercer and become the SoCon football champions! We also celebrated two lovely Thanksgivings with our families.
DECEMBER
- Enjoyed a month packed with holiday festivities, from work parties, to friend parties to family time.
- Billy & I had a mini vacay in Asheville, NC.
- I attended and passed my training to teach Pure Barre Reform classes!
Additionally, here are my 2022 New Year’s intentions:
- Run my second marathon (eeppp!)
- Deliver my best possible class at Pure Barre every. dang. time. I walk through those doors.
- Continue to nourish my body with delicious foods that make me feel good.
- Celebrate my 1 year wedding anniversary with Billy on a fun vacation.
- More quality time, less screen time.
- More experiences, less stuff.
- Be fully open to new experiences and let go of how I think things “should” be.
What about you guys? What do you want to see in 2022? Write it down! Make it happen! You only get one life and time is your most precious asset. Don’t waste it. Go get what you want.
