Happy New Year

A new year so it's time to review my One Little Word for 2021 and announce the one I've chosen for 2022. 

My 2021 word was enough and this link to last year's post explains why I chose it. Looking back over the year I feel I have reached a good place where a year of making decisions on what is 'enough' in various aspects of life has enabled me to make lifestyle changes for the better. I've significantly changed my eating habits with the knock on benefits of weight loss and improvements to my overall health, and I have worked out how much food to keep in the house to give me peace of mind while I am still relying on supermarket deliveries. The big decluttering project is almost complete and the remaining items for disposal now include not only my late partner's items but also my own possessions that I've now decided are surplus to my needs. Even though I probably won't finished that project until Easter at the earliest, I am already benefitting from more space around the house and an increasing feeling of lightness as unwanted items have left the house. 

I don't think I've finished with enough and am sure that I'll return to it at some time in the future but for 2022 I need to focus on a new word that'll help me work towards the lifestyle changes I desire, and that word is ...

adventure

a risky undertaking of unknown outcome

an exciting or unexpected event or course of events

a chance

I only decided on this word two days ago when I was reading Angela's update on her chosen word for last year and it just clicked, so I've unashamedly pinched it for myself! 

I did create a list of ideas for end of lockdown adventures back in the summer but didn't get round to doing many of them, and I want that to change in 2022. For my own well being I need to spend more quality time both with other people and also when I am by myself, both at home and out of the house ... it's time to visit new places and have new experiences. I have no plans to do anything risky but Covid in itself is enough of a risk and I will obviously take the necessary precautions.  So my starter for ten is to review that list and make it visible, probably on its own tab on this blog.

For most of the time I am happy with my lot but at the same time am aware that since the isolation of the lockdowns I've settled into a bit of a rut and it's time to stretch those boundaries that I've set for myself. There are lots of opportunities to enhance my everyday life ... explore new-to-me authors and genres, discover different music and try new hobbies are a few ideas off the top of my head but I am sure there are many more. When I stopped volunteering with the Youth Band I did consider looking for other opportunities to volunteer and that's still an option so is on the list for consideration. Really the possibilities are endless and I just need to step outside of my comfort zone and reawaken that spirit of adventure that I haven't lost but have allowed to lie dormant for too long.

I've already agreed to take part in two year long photography challenges. I still don't know too much about the one with H but here's my first photo for the Photo a Day challenge I'm doing with Joy ...

1/365: this rose doesn't realise it's winter and it should be resting!

I still have to decide on my something new for 2022. In 2020 I started learning Italian and have completed at least 20 minutes practice every day since then, and in 2021 I started having piano lessons. I can honestly say that I have thoroughly enjoyed both activities, so now I have to decide what I'll do this year. At the time of writing this I have absolutely no idea what it'll be but I'm confident that something will spark my interest during the year. 

So all that's left is to wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year. Let the adventures begin!