So the key question is was 2021 a great year? I review and reflect on the year when I sit down to draft my annual Christmas newsletter – a habit I have started over the last few years that I really enjoy. It’s another year in which COVID featured – I had both my jabs and booster.
Zoom continued to be a large component but less work focused this year with a virtual walking tour, a gin tasting, a birthday celebration, a funeral and a chocolate tasting!
We ventured back into socialising with friends and family, initially outside with lots of blankets and coats, outdoor dining usually only happens in the summer months, but many pubs around us started to make use of their outdoor space and created some lovely areas with plants and fairy lights. This progressed to meals out and two weddings.
We were very fortunate to be gifted a number of vouchers for our big birthdays a couple of years ago, most of them were extended and we enjoyed a tour of Twickenham, a couple of theatre trips to see The Mousetrap and Educating Rita, afternoon tea at The Goring and a fabulous lunch at The Pig in Harlyn Bay.
On the home front, DIY continued although, at a somewhat slower pace, our bathroom was finally finished (it took 6 months – parts and labour delay all due to Covid!) Mr A is rather handy and finished the dining room cabinet and panelling and re-instated dado rails in the hall and on the landing and my paintbrush came out – adding colour. I really enjoy creating my vision and then seeing it realised, I think that’s the inner project manager in me!
The overseas trips we had booked in 2020, were carried over to 2021 and now to 2022, but we did enjoy two UK breaks – the Isle of Wight for Cowes Week and a relaxing week in Cornwall in a dog-friendly rental with daily trips to the beach with Murphy. Sadly we lost a member of our beloved four-legged family to kidney failure at the ripe old age of 16.
I’d love to know what your year was like, please let me know in the comments.
After review, I’m grateful for:
Rather than focusing on what didn’t go so well in my review, I’ve focused on what I’m grateful for. Those of you reading this who work (or have worked) in the corporate world will be all too familiar with the performance review cycle, so I chose a positive, or glass-half-full approach, here are a few things that I am grateful for:
- Amazing friends and family around me.
- Mr A – he is my absolute rock.
- My four legged family – my day starts with a dog walk which feeds my soul and then coffee (always coffee first)
- I was able to continue to work from home – no change there (with the occasional face to face client meeting)
“Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
After review, a few highs:
When you review your year (or quarter, or project) it is just as important to review the highs or successes, here are a few of mine:
- A BIG client took me onto a formal retainer
- I was a guest on my second podcast – thanks Shane
- I attended my first in-person event (Social Day) since the UK lockdown and meet people I’d only ever chatted with via social media
- I started retirement planning following my latest pension review
- I had a socially distanced photoshoot – resulting in some fab new photos for use on socials and the website
“If one has courage, nothing can dim the light that shines within.”
Maya Angelou
After review, a few learnings:
I always think it’s important when you review your year to consider any learnings to share with others, here are a few from me:
- Have a back-up plan. There were a couple of social media outages and a number of accounts were hacked, so if you only run your business on Social Media make sure you have a mailing list at least. (And set-up two factor authentication)
- Take time for self-care, after the last few years I am making this a priority for 2022 and that is a theme you will see.
- People come into your life for a reason, just go with it and see what you learn.
‘I am still learning.”
Michelangelo (at 87)
And finally, thanks to everyone who supported me in 2021, here’s hoping 2022 is an even better year for everyone.
by Marianne Avery
Marianne is a social media consultant who works with small businesses to help them navigate the world of social media. She is always a consultant with Flint Change. To find out more about how Marianne can help you click here.
