All About ... the Year in Review - 2021

What did you do in 2021 that you've never done before? I started piano lessons, though strictly speaking it isn't something completely new as I had some lessons years ago. I also took part in a healthy eating/weight loss programme and completely reviewed my eating habits.

Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year?  I don't set the traditional resolutions, preferring to set myself challenges and specific goals. I'm pleased with my progress on most of the goals I set myself during 2021. The biggest has to be the progress I've made on the decluttering; I didn't manage to complete it by my target date but I've made huge leaps forward and been able to dispose of items belonging to my late partner that were of no interest to me but which I had been unable to let go in previous attempts. Yes, I will continue to set myself challenges and goals in 2022.

Did anyone close to you give birth? Not someone really close, but J's daughter gave birth to her first child, a beautiful boy.

Did anyone close to you die? No thankfully.  

What countries did you visit? None! I've spent the majority of the year in the safety of my own home. The longest journey this year was the twelve miles to Bath to get my booster jab.

What would you like to have in 2022 that you lacked in 2021? I'm repeating last year's response ... I usually answer this question by saying that I haven't lacked anything during the year but this time it's different. I'd love to be able to hug the people I care about, cuddle the babies, and just have the freedom to go wherever I want to without worrying about the risks to life.

What date from 2021 will remain etched in your memory and why? November 26th when I reached the ripe old age of 66 and became eligible to receive my state pension payments and apply for a bus pass! 

What was your biggest achievement of the year? I think it has to be the same answer as last year, which is coping with all the fears and uncertainties of the pandemic and not sinking into deep depression. I know that compared to many people I've been lucky with a safe home and, being retired, had no worries about income or job security, but living alone has brought its own set of issues and isolation has been challenging at times.

What was your biggest failure? I don't know! I suppose it could be that I didn't complete the decluttering but I'm actually pleased with what I did achieve so don't consider it a failure. 

Did you suffer illness or injury? I was diagnosed as being pre-diabetic and having high cholesterol but have been able to reverse both conditions through changing my diet.

What was the best thing you bought?  I've racked my brain and can't think of anything. I suppose I can say it's the expert services I've paid for, i.e. M's with the gardening and C's with the piano lessons. 

Where did most of your money go? On the garden and piano lessons. It hasn't been a big year for expenditure.

What did you get really, really, really excited about? I think that has to be the piano lessons. 

Compared to this time last year are you:

• Happier or sadder? slightly happier
• Thinner or fatter? slightly thinner
• Richer or poorer? slightly richer 

What do you wish you’d done more of? I've missed to freedom to travel and also wish I'd been able to spend more time with family and friends.

What do you wish you’d done less of? I wish I'd spent less time worrying, but I am a worrier and the pandemic has given me cause to worry.  

How did you spend Christmas? I'd planned to spend Christmas Day with friends but ended up spending the day at home alone and meeting with them via Zoom instead, thanks to their positive Covid tests.

Did you fall in love in 2021? No.

What was your favourite TV show? I don't have a particular favourite but enjoy watching QI, Would I Lie To You, Richard Osman's House of Games, Only Connect, and Tipping Point .. the same list as last year. 

What was the best book you read? The Never Game by Jeffrey Deaver and The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

What was your greatest musical discovery of 2021? Loreena McKennitt, recommended by Mary-Lou @ Patio Postcards.

What did you want and get? I wanted to stay Covid free and thankfully, I was successful in avoiding the virus. 

What did you want and not get? I'd planned some mini adventures but didn't get round to doing most of them. This was partly to do with the local Covid numbers being do high (where previously they had been well below the national average) but also a lack of get up and go on my part ... I'm too used to staying at home so kept choosing the easier option of doing nothing!

What was your favourite film this year?  I haven't watched that many films this year and didn't keep a record of all the ones I did watch. I know I watched the Harry Potter films (again!) and also Last Christmas which I enjoyed despite knowing the twist to the story.

What did you do on your birthday? I had lunch with friends and was able to see some of my family.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? An end to the pandemic!

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2021? Usually I answer this question by saying that my personal fashion concept is non existent, but I've lost some weight and have been reviewing all my clothes after completing a style coaching course. I've reached the stage where I need to replace a huge part of my wardrobe in a smaller size and am currently looking for smart casual clothes. I feel comfortable wearing the natural or classic styles, so that's what I'm looking for in the replacement items. 

What kept you sane? Again, it's the same answer as last year ... by avoiding the negativity in the media and focusing instead on what I could do, plus the ongoing support of friends and family.

What political issue stirred you the most? The pandemic, and the dishonesty and appalling behaviour of the current government.

Who did you miss? It will always be Ced.  

Who was the best new person you met? I haven't met a new person face to face this year, but I do have new interactions with people through blogging so I will count all of my blogging friends as the best this year. 

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2021. To slow down, appreciate the little things, and value the people who share life with me.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. I know this is getting repetitive but I'm going for the same song as last year ... "If life seems jolly rotten, there's something you've forgotten and that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing" - Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life!