What a sad year this has been: for our world, my country, my community, my work place, me personally. While I am determined to usher in a wondrous, new beginning with 2017, it’s important for me to linger in this sadness because that is who I am. I know very few people who are peacefully happy, and yet that is what our world communicates to us through social media and personal blogs. Look at me traveling around the world. Here I am ushering in the New Year in Sydney. That’s me paragliding in Hawaii. All that adventure is inauthentic.
One of the first people I met in business school told me, very casually and easily, how he was on anti-depressants and that it ran in his family. I was baffled and silent, but wanted to scream, “Yes OMIGOD yes. I totally completely get you.”
2016 was a year of the basics.
- I wear a daily uniform of black. For work: black pants, black top, black blazer. Outside of work: black leggings, black sweater. I do not wear makeup. I do not style my hair. I very rarely shave. I do not get my nails done. I wear granny underwear. Makes life super easy.
- My biggest focus was Franco and watching his vocabulary explode as a 2-year-old. I take him to church and tumbling, and make sure we do fun activities on the weekends. He loves children’s museums.
- I vacationed in LA (girlfriends), wine country (Dean), Saramento (Franco and Dean), Paris (Dean), and North Carolina (Franco, Dean and my parents).
- Watched the Cubbies win!
- I campaigned for Hillary Clinton and was devastated by the loss.
- We had friends over for Franco’s 2nd birthday and Friendsgiving.
- Still doing book club and our movie club turned into lunch club. Maybe we will restart movie club this year.
- Spent the year remodeling the bottom half of our home which will soon be available for short-term rental. If you need a place to stay in the Bay Area, we’ve got you covered!
- I also made a point of getting acupuncture or a massage once a month. It’s my one indulgence.
Life is a sine curve of ups and downs, people. Wishing all of you more ups than downs in 2017.
Loved your 2016 reflecting and now wishing you and your family a wonderful 2017, Catherine 😉
First things first, HI CATHERINE!! Always great to be here.
Yes to everything. I’m eager to cast away the bad feelings I had towards the end of 2016. For my own sanity, I can’t sit with them too long… but I obviously understand that we all feel things differently and it’s important to process loss and mourn in a way that is right for us. And also I think it’s totally healthy to admit that we’re not happy all the damn time! I actually have been seeking treatment for my anxiety and the Dr asked if I experience depression and I responded “NO” way too quickly. Because I do.
That said, I’m trying to remain hopeful about the future. And I hope that you are, too, especially for your little one (though I know that’s often scary with this world and what’s happening in it).
Sending you so much love and light for the New Year, momma <3
Wishing you more ups than downs too!
I think it’s great to linger in your sadness. It’s there for a reason and something terrible happened. It’s not that easy to sweep under the rug.
Focusing on a toddler’s language is pretty awesome. It happens so fast at two!
I appreciate your honest reflection, Catherine. It’s been a year of ups and downs for me too, and lots of changes.
May your 2017 be more up than down. And I challenge you to wear one piece of clothing with color in it 😉