Best of 2022

Every year I see people online posting the “best of posts.” These romanticized ideals of what the year was. The posts you as a reader interacted with the most, the best outfits I wore, the best products I tried, etc. While it’s all fun, and yes, I participate to an extent, it dawned on me that those moments aren’t always the best for me. Sure, you interacted with this particular post the most, but how much brain power did I put into it so that you would interact, or consequently, what about that other post I worked SO hard on that got ignored? I quit keeping up with the Jones’ ages ago regarding the best outfits. My best outfit came from a vintage shop in my town, and the best products I tried, um… is it food related? 

I just don’t fit the mold. I keep finding that I don’t fit the mold in my online conquests. Yet, I a continuing to evolve into the best version of myself. Those that follow me, those that interact and read my blog posts, do it because they see me in what I have to say, not a trend or an idea of what perfect looks like. It’s my voice that they are interested in, and that perspective allows me to have my “best of” be whatever I want it to be. 

My top 9 posts on Instagram were reflective of me. A little travel, a lot of nature, roller skating (seriously LOVE roller skating), reading, and a quote. Yup, me. Still, That’s only partially my best. That part of me I wanted to share with the world. The details of my year defined me as a person. 

My best of 2022 

Best Marital Moment

 Walking into Cars Land at Disneyland with my husband, whom I met way back when we were working at a dealership YEARS ago and watching him geek out. I swear he went from his late 30’s to instantly a 7-year-old kid. He kept saying, ” We’re here. I love this. Look at the details.”

Best Travel Moment

 Impromptu bouldering and tree climbing while on a camping trip at a national park because it was just too tempting not to try. It was like we looked at each other and instantly turned into little monkeys or something.  

Best Mommy Moment 

We went from being homeschooled for years to the private school sector, with me working full time and her in class daily with peers and CHEERLEADING. Literally, at the start of the school year girlfriend decided to be a Junior Varsity Cheerleader. I looked at her up there and watched my little girl grow up before my eyes. It sounds silly, but seeing her, who had so many struggles in the past few years, be able to articulate wanting to join a sport and doing so well just made my heart flutter. The work paid off at that moment. 

Best Self-Growth Moment

It’s ok to do things just for me; guilt is relative to parental/wifely existence, don’t let it get to you. Ok, hear me out. I returned to work full-time while starting both a licensure and a master’s program this past year. Then I decided to revamp my blog. In lamens terms, that’s a lot of household-altering actions. I even had the nerve to tell my family that there would be times when I needed to go off on my own to relax in solitude. Yea, I felt guilty. Also, I’m a person outside of the titles I carry, and that person needs to be nurtured. Feel guilty for a moment, but only a moment, then move on because, in the end, my mental health benefits everyone around me. That, my friends, is growth. 

These aren’t flashy things, but they are pieces that carry me into 2023. That best of list is the one that matters. 

Tell me, What was your Best in 2022? What are you looking to change in 2023?