Is it already the 18th of January 2023? I guess it is. It's crazy. The more I grow old, the more time flies (this is my inner old lady speaking).
Initially, this article was supposed to be the last one of my 2022 blogmas edition, but considering the late date, I figured it would be better to turn it into a retrospective article.
I've always found retrospectives very freeing and rewarding. It helps me remember the good times and the bad ones and make sure they won't happen again (as long as I have control over it, of course).
2022 Retrospective
Well, where should I start? 2022 was so rich! There were travels, reunions, weddings, a hot (very hot) and fun summer, announcements, and more! 2022 was also a challenging year. I quit my job, I had to show patience, I had false hopes, there were failures, the burst of an energetic crisis, without forgetting the amplification of the ongoing social and climate crisis (say hi to Mr anxiety).
Travelings
If I had to name 2 travels in 2022, it would be without a second thought Morocco and Montreal.
I had the chance to discover a little part of Morocco with my family-in-law in May 2022. I've been immediately charmed by the culture and the population. The people we met were so nice and I cannot stop thinking about the beautiful memories Morocco offered us.
In 2022, I also got the chance to go back to the country that stole my heart (cheesy giiiirl), Canada. This time, we visited another part of it: Montreal (btw, I still have to write an article about it). I won't dwell on the topic here, as I reserve you an entire article for this magic trip. However, I can already tell you that Montreal was another wake-up call for my deep love for this country. The Canadian mentality, culture, lifestyle, nature, etc keep on impressing me. If you'd like to know more about that, feel free to read my article about my year off in Vancouver.
Reunions
Sometimes, traveling also goes with reunions. Like pretty much everyone, COVID19 did not help us stick to our words. We could not meet up with our Vancouver friends. It's after 1,5 years that we finally had the chance to meet and catch up, in Lisbonne. What a trip! Short yet intense. The occasion to recall the past souvenirs, to plan the next reunions, and above all the chance to see how lucky we are to be so well surrounded. I'm thankful for that.
Announcements
From proposals to pregnancies and bride maid to be, 2022 was very emotional. I feel very lucky for those blissful moments.
I, for one, have always been a bit scared to grow old. But all of those moments made me realize that every single step of our life holds something for us, and today I'm already looking forwards to what's coming next.
Professional twist
In 2022, I quit my job. After 2 years within the same company, a company that gave me my first chance, trusted me, and offered me a rocking team, I needed some fresh air.
In advance, mea culpa for the employers/HRD who'll read those lines. I know how stressful it is to notice how quickly today's resources get bored in their job. We constantly need renewal, challenges, and diversity, which in a sense sounds really good to me.
The truth is that I did not feel fulfilled with my job anymore. I learned everything I could, I did not feel stimulated anymore, or rewarded through my function. Sometimes, I also got bored. So, Mondays became annoying and Sundays were depressive over time.
So yes, I decided to quit. I'm young, dynamic, and keen to learn. I don't want to waste my time doing things I don't have the energy for. After all, we only live once, and that, my friends, could not resonate any better.
Patience
Oh man, patience... my worst flaw. If you don't know me yet, you have to know that I'm everything but patient. Don't get me wrong here, I'm not this little pampered child, who has everything she asks for. It's just that I really don't like to wait. I like things to move and to move fast. I need concrete and dynamism.
But 2022 gave me some hard work. I had to show patience multiple times, yet this is still something I do not master.. :p
Failures
At the beginning of the year, I took the plunge and started to work as a Digital Marketer freelance.
It did not work well. It was not what I expected it to be. I was not ready to invest so much of my time (aside from my 9 to 5 job) in this. I like my life the way it is. I like hitting the gym right after work, hanging out with friends, and chilling. Plus, I did not like it so much. Actually, the hardest part was to admit and accept the failure. At least, I tried. :)
A last word? 2022, thank you! 2023, I'm all yours (please be nice).