Reflecting on 2022

This year felt much less dramatic than last. That's not a bad thing. I feel more settled. In my body and in my life. Routines came easy. I was very much "in the moment" the majority of the time. 

• I saw a lot of fantastic, beautiful animals at two zoos. Even made friends with a snow leopard!
• Spent a lot of time with family.
• Swam my little mermaid brains out.
  
  
  
• Completed physical therapy and learned skills to help with pain.
• Got to touch the ocean (more than once.)
  
  
  
• Saw some beautiful artwork at a museum.
• Learned how to make my own art with clay.
• Spent hundreds of hours with my amazing little dog who makes me laugh every day.
• Cooked, baked, grew flowers and food for my family.
• Hugged my Papa in person.
• Got a new wheelchair.
• Colored my hair PINK!
  
  
  
• Entered a short story and poetry contest.
• Saw stunning images of outer space.
• Learned lots of new things.

I just had my first two appointments at the pain clinic. I'm hoping to learn some new tools and get some support for my chronic pain. 

In 2023 I'm hoping...

To meet some more people struggling with similar symptoms to me. I feel like that's an important part of what's missing in my life right now.

I'm also still working on being gentle with myself. Not having crazy expectations. Doing what I'm able to do and not kicking myself for what I can't do.

Lastly I want to get back to a more gentle way of eating that reflects my ethics. I'm going to reduce my dairy. I also want to give up eating mammals. That still leaves me plenty of protein between seafood and chicken. I just don't feel good about eating animals given how much I love them. But I still require more protein than a simple vegetarian diet can offer.

Here's to a beautiful, hopeful 2023.