Year in Review🔁

Hey LIVely Family♥️,

Tis the season of reflection & I'm here to do just that!

2021 is coming to an end & I'm in full blow reflection mode, as I always am this time of year. This year was extremely trying for me. I learned, I grew, I hurt, I healed, I fell, I conquered. Like most things in life, this year hit me in waves. There were many ups and many downs, but the biggest lesson I learned is BALANCE.

I began this year with a few different goals. Though not all of them were accomplished, I'm still extremely proud of myself. Even if you did not accomplish every goal you set for yourself this year, remember to celebrate your wins. Be gentle with yourself, because just like me, I'm sure you did not see everything that happened to you this year coming. With everything life threw at me, I made it to see another year and that's what is most important.

I am extremely blessed to go into 2022 with a completely different mindset than I entered 2021 with. In the beginning of this year I was lost and scared. I had recently lost my job after finding out I had COVID. (Btw, extremely tired of this pandemic as we all are.🙄) I had no idea what was next in my life or the direction I wanted to move in. But what I'm thankful for this year is that 2021 gave me time. Time to discover myself, which is a practice we never stop doing. I learned so much about myself and every trial and tribulation that came this year helped me along the way.

To be honest with you all, I lost a lot this year. I cut ties with some relationships in my life but the biggest loss I experienced was the loss of my Nana. For those of you who know me, you know she was my world. My Nana is the most extraordinary woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She is my biggest inspiration and the reason I am the strong and independent woman that I am today. One day I will build the strength to write about her and share my love for her with you all.

But losing her showed me that I can't pretend to be unfazed by everything. I've always been an "I'm okay" and brush it off type of person but I learned that it's okay to hurt. It's okay to mourn. It's okay to not be okay and you should take all the time you need to bounce back.

In 2021, I started seeing a therapist. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time and I finally took the leap this year. I used to be scared to see a therapist. Most people always fear the unknown and this was definitely one of those moments for me. But now, after a year of being in therapy, I highly encourage you all to do the same. As a someone who experienced a lot of trauma during my childhood, I wish I went to see one sooner. There is nothing wrong with seeking therapy and releasing those traumas that you keep alive inside of you subconsciously. I was blessed to find a therapist that I automatically clicked with. But even if you go through a few to find the right one, don't give up on yourself. You deserve the power of self-healing.

I found solace this year, by reading. Fun fact about me: I used to HATE reading. When I was in middle school my Nana offered me $500 to read 3 books. I'm ashamed to admit that I missed out on that payday. 🥲 This lack of desire to read continued into high school where I would rather sparknote books than read them. 😭 This year I challenged myself to read 12 books. A hugeeee win for me was reading 14.5. I read so many great books, struggled through a few but ultimately surpassed my reading goal for the year. I read the entire Harry Potter series and I'm here to say that if you didn't read the books, you know nothing about Harry Potter. (We can argue it if you want😂) As we round out this year, I'm currently in the middle of reading The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova. Please send all your book suggestions in the comments below because I'm currently building my reading list for 2022.

Another really big goal of mine that I want to acknowledge as complete, is this right here. Starting Liv A Little Writing was a huge accomplishment for me. If you've been keeping up with my blog this year and helped promote this special space I've created for myself, THANK YOU. Your support of my art and passion does not go unnoticed or under-appreciated.

Ultimately, though this year was extremely challenging for more reason than one, I am so grateful. I'm grateful for my friends and family who saw me through this year. Those who stood by me through every high and low, I just hope you know how much I love and appreciate you. I would not have been able to get through this year without my tribe. ♥️✨ From random trips, concerts, outdoor adventures, or just kickin’ it at home, every moment spent was cherished. I know most people feel this way, but I truly have the absolute best support system in this life. I genuinely want to thank you all (you know who you are) if you were here through this crazy rollercoaster ride called life. I could never pay any of you back for the abundance you provide in my life, but I hope you feel my love as powerfully as I feel yours. (Cuz we all know I'm not with all that lovey dovey shit *drake voice*😂)

To my Liv A Little readers, I hope you look back on this year and feel proud of yourself. No matter how you started, what happened, or where you're heading now, you made it. You got through another crazy year (in the middle of a pandemic which should not be taken lightly). Remember to not compare yourself to other people. There is only one life and that's YOUR life. You are the master of your fate. No one can take that from you. If you didn't get to where you want to be this year, you have another 365 days to accomplish that. May this new year bring you absolutely everything you desire and more.✨

Let's all start off this year speaking things into existence, because they are already ours! One of my 2022 goals is to realign myself with my wellness goals. Though I fell off this year, there's no better time to re-start than now. I also am setting a goal for myself to travel out the country at least 3 times. My passport is ready & eagerly waiting on some new stamps! 🛫 Please drop one goal you have for yourself in 2022 in the comments below. I’m excited to read all the amazing things you‘ll accomplish this new year! 💫

When the New Year drops,

Liv A Little♡