For some perhaps ridiculous and unexplainable reasons, many bloggers at this time of year(New Year's) have this uncontrollable urge to create and post something along the lines of "the year that was." I find myself, unfortunately, part of this desire to look back at "the year that was."
These reflective posts often take a variety of forms. They can be completely a "stats-focused" post. How did the blog do overall?; was there growth or no growth; most successful posts; what's in store for their blog for the following year.
There are those folks who will summarize what their favourite posts are from the year. This may be entirely different from the most "popular posts" in terms of visits and reads.
In addition, there will be many who write their "year that was" post looking back at what happened in their life, in 2023. Highlighting the good; the bad; and the in-between of events and circumstances they may have found themselves in.
Finally, there will be a great number of bloggers who will in their "year in review" entry, combine all of the above into a post that covers the entire gambit of their world in 2023.
Looking back on 2023, it was a year of waiting and anticipation. A year of excitement and wonder, but also a year of sadness and sorrow as well.
We knew that this was likely going to be the last year that Lynn's mom would be with us. When the cancer returned in late 2022, there was only one treatment plan suggested by her medical team. It did slow the spread of the cancer down, but we all knew that time was not on her side. By August, things were not looking well and by the third week of September, Lynn's mom gave up the fight at her home with her family by her side.
Understandably, it was a challenging time for all. It made it all the much more difficult and a critical time for Lynn, that she couldn't stay indefinitely back in Ontario with her father. In total, Lynn spent almost 50 days in Ontario throughout the fall. All of this led to Christmas and the holiday season having a darker and sad hue or feel to it. In addition, our family had made over 7 return air flights between Nova Scotia and Ontario in the time between December 2022 and October 2023. We seemed to have spent a lot of time flying this year.
On a more positive note, Lynn and I had some wonderful vacation time throughout the summer. It had been the first time in decades that we had traveled around so much. We spent some exciting days in Cape Breton National Park, as well as a few days down in the Digby, Nova Scotia area. We also took time to head off to Prince Edward Island for a few days as well.
That time away from the "old homestead" was nice. It provided a well-deserved break, but as well it gave us a brief glimpse into these areas(especially Cape Breton) and sort of "wetted our appetite" to head back there this year.
In terms of art-related undertakings in 2022, I ended up completing far more pieces this year than in 2022. In fact, many of them were completed throughout November and December. It does seem at times, that I get inspired for short spurts of time and then the motivation and inspiration seem to wane a bit.
All in all, that was 2023.
It was a challenging and difficult time in many respects, while at other times there were periods full of joy and good times. The rest of it was just sort of normal and what one might expect.
Simply getting by - "day to day."
What does life look like or anticipate in 2024?
Honestly, I'm not sure.
I haven't given it much thought yet.
And perhaps that's the issue - not giving it any thought. Maybe that should be the first goal and challenge of the new year. To give it some thought ......
"What do I want 2024 to look like?"
--as always with love--
--- get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself ---
No comments:
Post a Comment