2021 is coming to a close, but I wanted to take a moment to remember the good moments and lessons from it. I asked my Instagram followers several questions to reflect on the past year together and I rounded up some of the answers. I also think it will be fun to look back at this post and remember what was going on or what we loved in 2021 haha. Reflecting on life is one of my favorite things, and something I find so important and valuable. It’s how we learn, are able to be intentional with our time, and grow closer to the Giver of it all.
Let’s dive into the 2021 in Review!
Favorite small, simple moment?
- Listening to the rain
- Afternoon sun
- Bonfires & cornhole with family and friends
- Family gatherings
- Waking up each morning and drinking a coffee by myself to collect my thoughts
- Walking with my husband
- Spending time with my family and quiet mornings
- Snuggling with my pup
- Friday nights spent with family
- Meeting my nephew for the first time
- Mornings in bed with my pup
- The love between our two little boys – it’s been fun to watch it grow this year!
Favorite place you visited?
- Disney World
- Hiking spots in college town
- Waco, TX
- Florida for the first time and saw the ocean
- Black Hills, South Dakota
- New York
- Duluth with friends
- Smoky Mountains
- Door County
- Camping trip
- Montana
- The North Shore, MN
- Breckenridge, CO
Favorite recipe you made?
- Buttermilk biscuits
- Creamy chicken noodle soup
- Sunrise muffins
- Marinated steak
- Sourdough bread
- Sourdough scones
- Snickerdoodle cookies
- Cranberry apple Christmas bake
- BBQ pulled venison
- White chicken chili
- Anything from Half Baked Harvest
- Anything pasta related
- My mom’s Russian teacakes
- Cinnamon rolls
- Blueberry banana smoothie
- Chicken and wild rice soup
What is one thing you did for fun?
- Travel
- Went for a hike
- Calligraphy
- Volleyball
- Read
- Cooked a lot
- Anniversary getaway with my husband
- Walks
- Trained and ran a half marathon
- Fishing
- Ice climbing
- Started antiquing and visiting small shops
- Started running
- Pontoon rides before sand volleyball
- Shopping trips
Favorite tv show?
- The Office
- New Girl
- Killing Eve
- Virgin River
- Yellowstone
- Friends
- Bachelorette
- Chicago series
- Law and Order Organized Crime
- Ted Lasso
- Heartland
- Outer Banks
- CSI
- Only Murders in the Building
Favorite book?
- Crime and Punishment
- Welcome to Adulting by JP
- The Return by Nicholas Sparks
- Redeeming Love
- Still House Lake Series
- Compound Effect
- Twisted Tales
- Harry Potter
- Live in Love
- Where the Crawdads Sing
- People We Meet on Vacation
- It Ends with Us
- The Nightingale
Favorite song?
- Hymn of Heaven – Wickham
- House of the Lord – Phil Wickham
- Too Good Not to Believe – Brandon Lake
- Anything by Luke Combs
- The Lakes – Taylor Swift
- Glad you Exist – Dan + Shay
- Sand in My Boots – Morgan Wallen
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- Taylor Swift new Red album
- Promises by Maverick City Music
- Godspeed by Frank Ocean
- I Don’t Want to Miss it – Ellie Holcomb
- Buy Dirt – Jordan Davis
- Hot Tea – Half Alive
Go-to coffee drink this year?
- Pumpkin cream cold brew
- Iced vanilla latte
- Oat milk latte
- Cinnamon apple spiced tea
- Iced shaken espresso
- Hot caramel macchiato with almond milk
- White chocolate peppermint mocha
- Cold brew with sweet cream
- Caribou’s turtle mocha
- Anything with oat milk
- Vanilla crafted press from Caribou
Favorite clothing item?
- Long sweaters
- Black on black
- Shacket
- Mom jeans
- Sorels
- Red/black buffalo plaid
- Blazers
- Athleisure
What is one new skill you learned?
- Homemaking
- Stand up for myself
- Backing up a trailer
- Running
- Stock cars
- Sourdough bread making
- To do anything while holding a baby
- CPR
- Building online course work for clients
- Painting cabinets
- Sewing
What challenges did you overcome?
- Changing jobs
- Having hernia surgery
- Losing my grandma
- In person meetings after Covid
- Health challenges
- Insecurities
- Humility before God
- Marriage
What is one new habit/routine you started?
- Drinking more water
- Reading before bed
- Growing a garden
- Waking up early
- Reading everyday
- Utilizing a planner
What do you want to do more of in 2022?
- Read
- Travel
- Exercise/promote a healthy lifestyle
- Be more positive and humble
- Continue to learn and study more religions
- Wake up earlier
- Have disciplined time in the Word
- Gym consistently
- Intentional family/husband time – look up from my phone
- See new things in other states
- Self care
What did you learn about God in 2021?
- I learn how much deeper his grace is every year
- That he always takes care of His children
- He is good, even in the hard times
- His kingdom will never end
- He is all that matters
- His faithfulness, gentleness and forgiveness
- He cares about my aspirations
- He is the center of it all
- He is present in every situation
- He’s a constant presence
- He is so good
Ultimately, this year I’ve learned that Jesus is enough. And He is all I need.
