Bye bye 2016 (you were a trip)

I’m going to wrest myself away from old episodes of The Great British Bake Off long enough to bid farewell to 2016. If I had to use to just one word to describe the last year, I’d say: tumultuous.

There were some highs and some lows, but mostly it was just unsettled and, truth be told, it’s left me a bit wrung out.

I had three (count ’em, three!) jobs this year: I left my job at a medium-sized company in March, spent six months at a tiny startup, and then got recruited to join a bigger company—a place where I can see myself for some time, thankfully.

I traveled to two of my 2016 goal locales: New Orleans in February and Mexico City over Thanksgiving (with Marfa still on the 2017 list). I also swung through Las Vegas, New York City, Minneapolis (twice!), Chicago, Montana (twice!), Memphis, Oxford, Mississippi and Chicago (plus Dallas, Houston, Waco, and San Antonio).

I bought a car and sold my older one.

I struggled a lot with the election—leading up to it, the night of, the time since then. Still.

I saw some truly excellent photography exhibits—though barely took any photos of my own.

I started going to Piloxing classes—and then totally stopped in the last few months when life got (even more) chaotic.

I watched a lot of good TV but only read 10 books (!).

I paid off my undergrad student loans, finally.

I went through a pretty brutal breakup.

I adopted a dog.

I’m very ready for this year to be over.

Honestly, I’m a little scared for the new year and the changes we’re seeing, one headline at a time, both in our country and abroad. I’m spending tonight thinking, as I have been lately, about how I can be brave and outspoken when necessary, supportive when possible, and kind always. I think we’ll all need it.

But a new year still brings hope and the chance to reexamine your priorities, your goals, where you want to be a year from now. I’ll be back tomorrow with a few of my ideas and plans a-brewing.

In the meantime, Happy New Year! Wishing you and yours a wonderful year ahead.