This has been a year of paradoxes. On the one hand, I’ve grown in my business and am loving self-employment. On the other hand, this is the most stressed I’ve ever been because, well,… *gestures to the world.*
Throughout the year, I’ve tried to be kind to myself. To give myself grace for not hitting goals I set in 2019 (I was so naive back then…). To take breaks when I feel the anxiety wave threatening to overwhelm me. But also to be as engaged as possible in a world that feels like it will never be the same (in good ways and bad).
I’m writing this post to wrap up the year because it feels wrong to go into 2021 without some reflection. I’d like to say that I’ll definitely write more regularly in the new year, but I’m not making that promise. I’ll do my best.
In so many ways, 2020 feels like a lost year. So much has happened, but I feel like I’ve been in this stasis of isolation. I never leave my home, and I’m terrified for loved ones at higher risk. I’ve made minimal progress at making friends or building community in my new city. And this year, generally, has felt like a decade. Can we talk about the fact that 1) the Australian wildfires, 2) the Presidential primaries, and 3) the impeachment ALL happened before COVID-19 took over our lives? It’s exhausting.
But some things have happened. I started the year with basically no regular client meetings (I made $100 one month…that was rough). In the last 4 months of 2020, I’ve been able to consistently make enough to cover my expenses. I’m hoping to continue that trend into 2021. And even more excitingly, I started the process to become a CFP® (Certified Financial Planner). I’m taking the coursework for that now, and I’ll take the exam itself next year. I won’t actually get my certification until I log 4,000 experience hours, but the coursework and exam are a major hurdle, and I’ll have those experience hours done in the next couple of years.
SunCat is still kicking. She’s currently on: a steroid 2x a day, chemotherapy pills, an antibiotic 2x a day, a probiotic 2x a day, arthritis meds daily, and anti-seizure medication. Along with bi-weekly injections. Which seems like a lot, but she’s happy and stable, so I’ll put up with the complicated medication regimen for as long as it helps. I’m so thankful that she’s still here, more than a YEAR after her cancer diagnosis.
And, a glimmer of excitement at the end of the year: my mom is visiting. We’ve taken all possible precautions. In fact, Lyra moved out this week so that I could isolate myself for a solid week before my mom gets here. And, since neither of us has gone anywhere this year, the risk of spreading something is as low as it can be. I cannot WAIT to see someone in person who isn’t my roommate or my pets. Or the occasional brief visitor. This is 100% what I need at the end of such an exhausting year.
I’ll put one more post out before 2021. I need to write another book update. More because I don’t want that hanging over my head in the new year; the list is scary long… Fair warning, I don’t plan on putting book images in, or long comments about each book, except the ones I’m particularly excited about. So I can’t guarantee that the post will be a super engaging read, but my motto for this year has been, more than ever, “done is better than perfect.”
Wishing you and your loved ones the best holiday season available to you, and hoping that you have a safe and healthy new year.
