22 Things I Did in 2022
I was reading articles on Medium.com and came across a piece that was written about 22 things someone did in 2022. I fell in love with the idea of giving yourself something to look back on and see how you have changed or progressed.
So, naturally, I decided to give this piece a go!
Here are 22 things that I did this year. Some are amazing and some are just cool…
Created my own thriving website: In March of this year, I created this website www.mommoments.info. It is a blog I created to talk about all things related to motherhood and the life of a mother in today’s world. They say, if you’re thinking of starting a blog… it should be about something you’re passionate about. Well, there isn’t anything I’m more passionate about than being a mother.
Gaining Weight: For the average person, this may seem like something much less than amazing. However, for me… it is everything. I wrote a piece some time ago called Living Thin on Medium, that goes over this in a bit more detail. However, I am happy to state that I am 15lbs heavier than I was this time last year!
Joined Medium: It would be wrong not to include the fact that I began my journey on Medium this year. (Also, in March) I wanted to connect with other writers. Learn from them, impact them in some way and explore an area filled with people like-minded to me. I have found that there.
Published My First Book: Back in February, I gained the confidence to publish my first book on Amazon, “It’s Not Poetry: The Innermost Thoughts of a Stressed-out Housewife.” It wasn’t perfect. I didn’t hire an editor or go through a fancy publishing company. I uploaded my book to Amazon and got the word out on my own. Despite a few grammar issues within the book, it has done much better in sales than I anticipated with very little promotion outside word of mouth.
I began my Passive Income Journey: There are many people out there looking to create a passive income stream for their families. Many begin the process and decide to quit due to the lack of instant gratification. People forget that in order to gain success, you must work for it. I may not be making sufficient income to support my family off of it, yet, but I am pushing forward.
We Enrolled our (now) six-year-old in school: This is an amazing piece of the year for me. Lillian was the one child I was most afraid to begin school. She had never left the house, other than to visit her grandparents, her whole life. I was worried she would be afraid, hurt herself or throw a fit until they let her come home. However, I was pleasantly surprised. She clicked with others instantly and adores school. She is well behaved and is thriving.
I started College: This was a big move for me. My husband thought I was nuts for starting college full time on top of everything else I had to do. Then… when he found out I was looking to get my Bachelors, my master's and my PhD by 2027... he asked if I was ill. I am aware of the daunting task I took on, but fighting for what you want in life is what it’s all about right? I want to be educated, I want to learn more about the people and the world around me and I want to know more about what I can become. To get those things…. I needed to go back to school. So, that’s exactly what I did.
I Wore a Crop top for the first time since high school: I felt empowered! It was amazing to go out in public and not worry about what others thought about my wardrobe. Truth be told, it may have had something to do with the fact that crop tops are super popular right now and there are women out in them almost everywhere I go. That’s beside the point. I was able to have the confidence to do it myself and I adored it.
I Dyed my Hair Crazy colors: Not a big stretch for me. I’ve been dying my hair on the regular since I was like…. 16. However, it is a different thing for me to dye my hair outside of the natural hues. I got it bright blue, fire engine red and violet. I have to say… I adored them all. However, I ended up going back to my natural hair color after I decided to let my hair get cut. I may go back to blonde soon. I haven’t decided yet. What do you think?
I Started to Become a Regular on TikTok & Facebook Reels: Back in October 2022, I decided to start something called Insights. Every single day, I start the day with an insight video where I begin the video with, “Time for some insights that I think might be helpful.” Of course, not everyone is interested in insights from a 31-year-old mother without her college degree. (For the time being) But I have to say, I get a lot of connection through those videos. I’ve met some interesting people, gained some pen pals, and even have received a gift here and there.
I Started Learning Sign Language: I’m still in the beginning stages, but I’m so excited to learn this language. I’m hoping that once I get fluent… not perfect, just fluent… I’ll be able to begin learning another. I’m thinking either Spanish, Latin or Finnish.
I Took a Job making more money than I’ve ever made: Although I am not hoping to be a Financial Call Center Agent for the remainder of my life. I have to say that $20 per hour to talk on the phone plus amazing benefits is pretty nice. Yes, sadly $20 an hour is the more I’ve ever made before.
Reunited with and Old Friend: After not seeing her for around 15 years, I visited a party thrown by a friend from high school. Since then, we have been making plans for family get togethers and we are going to a comedy show here soon to see Rob Schnider. That’s going to be an amazing story.
Got My First Hate Comment: All content creators have those who adore what they do and those who hate what they do. It really doesn’t matter what kind of content you create. It’s just the way of the world. So, I have already had a bit of hate on my platforms here and there. Much less than the positivity I receive though. I look at negative comments and connections as what they are, connections. I don’t feed into the negativity; I don’t allow it to hurt me, and I remind myself that even though one person may dislike something I’ve created… does not mean I should quit and deprive those that enjoy my work of viewing/reading it.
I Got Approved for Google Adsense: Google Adsense, for those unaware, is an option provided to those who run websites to present ads onto their sites. If a viewer of their site clicks the ad, the owner gets paid. It’s still something I am learning about and trying to fully understand but I have to say… It’s financially beneficial.
My Mother Got a Job: Okay, this is not me... perse… But it’s worth mentioning. My mother is a recovering 5-year addict of heroine. She was at the lowest point I have ever seen anyone get. At one point, she was sleeping under a porch downtown in Ohio. Anyway, she has been working at a local restaurant for some time now and I could not be prouder of how far she has come. She looks amazing, she’s able to live like she did years ago and each day she gets better and better.
Rode a Hoverboard (Kinda): When I was a teenager, inline skating was the cool thing to do. In fact, I did it so much, some of the people around town knew me as the roller-skating girl. Now, it’s hoverboards. These light up rolling deathtraps that parents purchase for their small humans. Well, I didn’t buy the one my son has, his father made that purchase. One day Hunter was playing on the driveway with his hoverboard and wanted to stop to ride a bike. As he was putting it away, he stopped and asked if I wanted to try it. I’m a moron, so I said, “Why not?” I quickly learned why not… I wasn’t on that machine more than three seconds before I bashed my head onto the concrete. I don’t know how they use those things.
I Had My First Protine Shake: I made mention earlier (see #2) that I had gained weight this year and was super stoked about it. Well, protine shakes have been an aid to that accomplishment. I have one every morning WITH breakfast and it helps my body gain what it needs to gain and keep weight. Not a huge amount, of course, but it’s something.
Got My Life Together: Well, for the most part. I’m not perfect, but I’m getting all the ducks that have wandered away… back in their row. I have a good job, a business growing, and a 401K. I’m an adult-ier adult now!
Started Working with My Husband: When I began all of these side hustles, I was doing them completely on my own. Derrek has never been the biggest fan of the social media… or the internet at all for that matter. In fact, if it wasn’t for the fact that I request it, he wouldn’t even have a cell phone. (And he’s younger than me… can you believe that) Last month though, Derrek decided that we would turn my business into a family business. He edits all my content and creates my Canva docs for me so that I can focus on my videos, my writing and my connections. So far, it has been successful, and we are working on other things I can hand off.
Started Drinking Iced Coffee: That’s right, up until recently… I didn’t drink coffee at all. I thought it tasted like ground up chalk water. I would make fun of my family and friends for drinking it every day. Meanwhile, at that time, I couldn’t go a day without at least one Monster Energy. Today, I drink iced coffee and water more than anything else. I still drink my Monsters… just not every day.
I Realized My Abilities: Throughout this entire year, I have been surpassing my expectations of myself. I was always told that could do anything I set my mind to. But… doesn’t every parent (or family member) say that? Just because someone says it… doesn’t mean the person hearing it will follow through. Yet, I have found that time and time again, as long as I put in the effort, I get the results I’m looking for.
This year has been filled with some big changes for myself, as well as my family. I am rooting for us to reach our desired destinations. It may take a little blood, sweat and tears… but I am fully optimistic.
What about you? What are some things you did this year?
🧡Shine Bright, Kayla