2021: Year in Review

I think we can all agree on one thing: it’s been a year.

As I reflect on 2021, it’s easy to get lost in the bad. Between the continuation (and mutation) of COVID-19, still-unresolved social justice issues, and disastrous effects of climate change, there is a lot to be frightened and angry about in the world. I can easily lose myself in a spiral, doom-scrolling my way to despair.

Today I’m opting to do the tougher thing – to look back on the good things that happened in my life this year, as a reminder that there are still plenty of wonderful things in this world, and to set the tone for 2022. So, as a gratitude post, here are a few good things that happened in my life this year, in no particular order:

I rebooted my blog | Creativity wasn’t a highly regarded trait in my household growing up (hard work and good grades in “practical” subjects were much more worthy of praise), and only in the past few years have I really begun to consider myself a creative. As part of this exploration, I found the need for a creative outlet (et voila – wayward was born). I stepped away from my blog at the start of the pandemic and noticed a decline in my mental and physical health. Now that I’m back, I feel happier and more energized. I’m so glad to be back in this space, and I’m so glad you’ve stuck with me.

I experienced the daily joys of owning a cat | Every morning I wake up and open the door to a purring, meowing snuggle machine. We never intended to get a pet, but Meow had plans of her own. I’ve loved getting to watch her settle into indoor living, and marvel at how we still see new developments from her, like sitting on my lap (yay) and climbing into our bed (nooo). I feel very, very lucky.

I celebrated the first anniversary of Art Search Charlotte | It was so much fun to organize a massive ten-piece art scavenger hunt in Charlotte to mark the first anniversary of Art Search Charlotte. Running this community engagement initiative is a ton of work, but I’ve loved finding a way to give back to our local artists and our city.

I managed to travel safely | Although 2021 is the second year in a row that I haven’t left U.S. soil, I’m glad that I found some opportunities to travel safely. The biggest trips of 2021 were St. Croix and San Francisco, but we also traveled to a few places in North Carolina, visiting the Outer Banks, Durham, Asheville, and Winston-Salem.

I learned a new craft | I purchased a knitting kit from We Are Knitters at the end of 2020 and finally sat down to begin it in January. I didn’t finish it until April, but despite that, I am hooked! Since then I’ve knitted many gifts for others like hats, scarves, and blankets – and I’m slowly picking up new skills, too. (If you decide to give it a try, you can use my referral link for 10% off your first order – I’ll receive some yarny credits too!).

I celebrated another anniversary with my partner | People are always surprised that Michael and I have been together for thirteen years, which is funny to me because it simultaneously feels like a lifetime AND like no time has passed at all. We’ve been through a lot these past few years, but I’m glad we have a solid partnership so we can face things together.

I changed my name | I went into more detail in a recent blog post, but this year I finally took the leap to start using my middle name instead of my first. It’s been an interesting journey so far, and I’ve received mixed reactions from friends and family (mostly positive, though, thankfully!). I still have a way to go to get everything straightened out (like changing my personal social media handles, updating my name on accounts across the web, and setting up a new personal email address), but it’s slowly happening. Aside from that, I’ve really enjoyed the rare few opportunities I’ve had to introduce myself as Alyssa, and feeling more like me.

As you look back on everything that happened in 2021, what is one thing you are grateful for?