I’ve been following quite a few therapist-type people on Instagram this past year. One of the people I follow is Nadra Tawwab (@nedratawwab). Last week, she posted “10 Questions to Process Before You Wrap Up 2021”. I thought I’d consider her questions in our blog.
“What did 2021 teach me about myself?”
It taught me:
- I am incredibly resilient. Life handed me quite a few lemons, and I continuously made lemonade.
- Related to above, I can handle a great deal of change.
- I am able to take care of myself – emotionally, spiritually, financially
- I’m not afraid to ask for help. Sometimes it was answered, other times it wasn’t. Either way, I didn’t try to do everything myself.
- I value alone time. I love to socialize, but I need to recharge on my own. It was wonderful to have a place of my own where I could have quiet.
- I don’t really know who I am. For so long, I was a wife, mother, and caregiver. With those roles no longer my focus, I was at a loss. Who am I if I don’t apply a label? What makes my heart sing? These questions no longer unsettle me. I see answering them as a journey that will extend into 2022.
- I have a tremendous network of support. I knew this, but it was a good reminder. I have friends who love me.
“Who showed up for me, and how can I nurture those relationships?”
I promise, I didn’t think of this question with the last bullet point above!
Many friends showed up for me – some in person, some via video messaging, some via text. In no particular order:
- Vanessa and Selena – my co-blogger and co-podcasters. These women keep things real for me. They celebrate with me, support me, and call my out on my bullshit when needed.
- Lana and Derek – my former neighbours and very good friends. I used to live across the street from them and our boys grew up together. They have always gone above and beyond. It was harder to move away from them than from my ex-husband!
- Martin – boyfriend extraordinaire. His belief in my ability to become my best self is unwavering.
- Nathan – my son – a self-proclaimed “momma’s boy”. 🙂 He’s been busy starting to live his own life, but still finds time to talk to his mom.
- My dad – he’s always believed in me. All he’s ever wanted is for me to be happy and he supports whatever makes that happen.
There are so many more; too many to list.
How can I nurture these relationships?
Keep being me. All the people in my life are here for a reason. Just as I see something that draws me to them, they see something in me. The best thing I can do is continue to be my honest, authentic, caring self who makes time for the people important to me.
There are 8 more questions. I’ll get to them all eventually. 🙂