Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 

As the new year was approaching, I started to hear talk of a new decade.  I didn’t even realize this fact (that a new decade was approaching) being preoccupied with holiday plans.  It made me reflect on the touchpoints of my life in the past decade.  While scrolling social media, I noticed the hashtag, “DecadeinReview” ... I guess I’m not the only one reviewing the past 10 years.

The past 10 years have been a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows for me.  As I reflect, I realize that going through the good times and the bad, I have become stronger and more resilient than I ever thought I could be.

 

Here are my major events of the past decade:

• Both of my daughters graduated college; started their careers
• One daughter was married
• Diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis in 2012
• Back surgery, microdiscectomy in 2013
• Resigned from my teaching position
• Moved to New Jersey
• Both of my parents deceased
• Worked at a public library
• Taught a college class as an adjunct professor; currently tutoring/advising
• Started a blog about living with a chronic disease
• Advocated my state representatives about arthritis related issues
• Applied and approved for disability
• Became an empty-nester
• Traveled on a Mediterranean cruise
• Started practicing yoga
• Completed 2 rounds of Whole 30

I’m sure there are more highlights than this, but this is what came to mind for me.  I think the most dramatic change for me was my health.  It forced me to give up my career as an elementary teacher, made me realize I can’t even work 20 hours at a library, and changed the way I navigate my life.  But it has been empowering to write about my illness, advocate for arthritis, and connect with others living with chronic illness through social media.

Goals

Instead of making New Year’s resolutions that last half a day, I like to focus on setting goals for the new year.  For me, writing down 3 goals for the new year helps me start the year with a purpose.  I also like setting goals that are specific.  That way they have more meaning for me and something to achieve.  Here are my goals for 2020:

1.  My blog:  I have become a little lazy with writing this blog, especially in the past few months.  The “busyness” of the holiday season has distracted me.  I also felt like I had nothing new to write about.  However, I will continue to post to my blog at least twice a month.

2.  Advocacy:  I have enjoyed advocating for arthritis through Voter Voice.  However, I would like to step things up a bit this year.  I’m thinking about applying to be a patient advocate through the American College of Rheumatology or creating a patient poster for the ACR’s annual conference.  I want to be on the lookout for any advocacy opportunities and push myself out of my comfort zone in the area of advocacy.

3. Crafting: I would like to learn a new craft such as knitting, crocheting, needlework… something peaceful to work on during the evenings.  I also would like to find an art class in sketching or painting.  I took an art class years ago and I really enjoyed the creativity and the serenity of creating art.

What are your goals for 2020?  I hope your new year and new decade brings you many blessings.  Wishing you peace, health, and happiness!