Thoughts on 2021

Reflecting back on the past year feels somewhat surreal when I consider how much my life has changed in 2021. Despite the uncertainty that comes when making (potentially) life-changing decisions, I feel like the majority of these changes have improved my quality of life, and it feels good to renew the sense of agency I have over my life trajectory — it’s easy to forget that.

Many of these changes are things that I consider accomplishments, and as we approach the end of 2021, I wanted to express some of the accomplishments that I feel most proud of (below), and I hope that others might do the same for themselves.

Life is tough, take a moment to be proud of yourself.

- I successfully rescued my dad from Nicaragua and got him back into Canada (with help from others) amid pandemic travel restrictions;

- Maeghan and I moved back home to Calgary from Victoria (which sounds crazy to many) to be closer to our loved ones — eventually moving in just down the street from my brother and one of my best friends;

- I quit a great, comfortable, steady job in a field related to my education to start an entirely new career doing a job that feels much more in line with my personal outlook and values — highly recommended;

- Maeghan and I organized and reorganized (and reorganized) our wedding and finally got married(!) at a small family gathering at her uncle’s home in the Okanagan;

- I have survived nearly two-years of a global pandemic and received my first two vaccinations in an effort to protect myself and others — I hope that everyone else considers this an accomplishment too;

- I started off the year attempting to write something every day in my personal journal, and have written more than 100,000 words as of today’s date;

- I volunteered to help on Marilyn North Peigan’s election campaign for Calgary city council — she is the first Treaty 7 Blackfoot woman to run for a city council seat, and although we were unsuccessful at getting her elected, it felt like an important act of reconciliation to help her in her efforts;

- I finished reading 44 books, which is not a record for me, but I read more books by female and non-binary authors than any previous year, which I feel is important; and

- I have run a greater distance than any previous year (currently at 1591 kilometers to-date, nearly 1000 miles!).

I’m hoping for a more tranquil year in 2022.