Every year around this time I like to take time to reflect and look at the previous year categorically–my relationships, my wellness, my finances, and my lifestyle. I then think about the good, the not so good and the areas of improvement within each category.
THE GOOD. In 2021 my marriage was my priority, I was intentional about us getting closer to our goals so we downsized from a three bedroom to a 1 bedroom apartment. I spent more time with my mother and spoke more with my brother and his children via Whatsapp video. I focused a lot on developing my morning routine and even made waking up at 6am my norm. Budgeting, not shopping and unsubscribing became habitual. And being offline and more present was refreshing.
THE BAD. I felt as if I wasn’t pulling my weight in my relationship. As a six year entrepreneur my income wasn’t as consisted as my husbands corporate career and I feared that my finances could create a problem. I mean it is one of the main causes of divorce (But thank God Keegan was understanding and reassured me that if it ever became a problem he would communicate with me). My childhood home/my mother’s home burned down from an electrical fire; she lost everything and all of our photos as kids are gone. But thankfully no one was hurt and my mother was able to get a brand new home right before Christmas. Working out barely happened, okay let me give myself grace-I worked out 10 times in 2021. I didn’t hit my debt pay-off goal and I hired a few small creative agency’s that didn’t deliver.
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT. Cooking more at home and spending less on take-out. Nurturing Friendships that took a back seat due to the pandemic and me getting my life together. Prioritizing daily movement and stretching to sustain my health. Running my businesses lean until hiring and spending makes sense. Showing up more online in a way that feels authentic to who I am in the present. And taking mental health days when needed to avoid burn-out.
The exercise above helped me determine how I want to show up in 2022. This year is about me getting clear on who I am. It is therapy sessions, subconscious clearing, new adventures, movement, style revamped, confidence boosted, girls nights, content created, debt tackled, and scaled businesses.
The word of the year is AUTHENTIC…I cannot wait to see the new version of me this time next year!
Founder of women’s empowerment community The Colored Girl & Co-Founder of The 20Ninth a community centered around travel and connections for couples. Tori’s interest in luxury travel, lifestyle and design stems from her background as a celebrity wardrobe stylist, event planner and novice interior designer.
