My blogging buddy Bill nominated me to write this post about where I’ll be this time next year. I was very excited to write a fun “looking ahead” post to share on my blog, so I was happy to accept this challenge. Like Bill, I’m not a huge fan of New Year’s resolutions (if I’m going to make a personal goal, I’ll make it any time of the year…although mostly, goals inspire guilt in my mind), but I am ready to look ahead into 2022!

Therefore, my list is some combination of goals and looking ahead. These past few years have been transformative for me, and it looks like 2022 is going to continue on this trend as well.

But first, the rules:

• Thank the person who tagged you. (Thanks, Bill! Bill is awesomesauce, read his post here!)
• Write your goals for next year. (Or, just your “looking ahead” list!)
• Write how you’re going to achieve these goals. (Eh…I’m taking this part as optional)
• Tag at least five blogger friends. (They’re at the bottom!)
• This last one is optional, but in 365 days, write a post about whether or not you’ve been successful! (My sentimental side is taking note for December 2022 — can’t wait to write this post next year!)

More yoga!

Fun fact: I recently won 6 months of unlimited yoga at my local yoga studio! While I was avoiding going to yoga more than once a week because I had lost my job and I wanted to save money, now, I can enjoy classes guilt-free! Yoga is such a great way for me to get in some movement as well as some self-care time. I’m excited to be able to get in more in the new year.

New job

Okay, so my job isn’t necessarily “new,” but as everything job-wise for me is still in its beginning stages, I know that 2022 is going to come with even more changes. My entire working life, I’ve had full-time jobs with an at-least somewhat regular schedule. I lost my full-time job in September, and just this month, I’ve started a few part-time gigs that will probably become full-time in the upcoming months. Beside this, I have a few other freelance projects going on, and I’ve started applying to a few more. I heard that, in 2022, we’ll start to have 30-hour days. That wasn’t a lie, right? 2022 is the year that I find the perfect job(s) that I enjoy and help me grow and learn (and apparently run myself into the ground — which makes me wonder what every year before 2022 were considered).

Movin’ Out

Dan and I have been living with my parents for a couple of years now, and while our housing situation is alright, it’s time for us to move out and get our own space. Unfortunately, when we decided it was time to look for a home in 2020, the price of houses began to skyrocket. It does seem as though we’re closing in on the market improving, however Dan and I also recently just started new jobs. We’ll need to be in our jobs for a bit of time before we’re able to get a loan for a mortgage. Hopefully, by the end of next year, the market will be better for home buyers and we’ll be stable in our new jobs…oh, and we’ll find the perfect home! That’s not too much to ask, right?

New books AND new puzzles? WHAAAAAAA-?!

I have LOTS of new puzzles that are coming out this year! First of all, the Odd Pieces puzzles that I backed on Kickstarter should be on their way soon. THEN, I recently found out that my favorite puzzle company, The Magic Puzzle Company, has three new puzzles coming out this February as well! Not to mention that I also got some fun puzzles for Christmas this year (one from Editor Josh, and one from my parents — this one involves a QR code that you scan for a mystery monetary prize when done!). The upcoming year will involve puzzles galore, and I am HERE FOR IT!

I would be remiss if I didn’t also talk about books that I’m excited about for 2022. Well, there’s one book in particular that I have in mind. Disney has begun releasing the “Meant to Be” series, where they have authors rewrite princess stories in a more modern style. I find these books perfect for me and my depression brain because they’re cute novels that are at least somewhat predictable. I’m picking up a book about a movie I know that I like, which is far less intimidating than something totally new. This past year, I enjoyed If the Shoe Fits (based on Cinderella, if you couldn’t tell), and in 2022, By the Book (based on Beauty and the Beast) will be coming out, and I can’t wait!

Finally, the video game company that creates my favorite escape room games (mc2games) is coming out with a new game in 2022! Aaaaaand my favorite local escape room place is opening up a new location. So many fun escape adventures to come!

Here’s to a year of self-care where comfort and peaceful hobbies are key!

Renata, the author

I’ve been working on my first book since February of this year, and as much as I want to rush it along, it’s a process that can’t be rushed! In my mind, I would’ve had it done for this holiday season, however, it’s looking like late spring 2022 is the realistic timeline if I’m going to do this right. From waiting for my beta readers to give me their feedback, applying their notes, and getting the cover and formatting just right, there’s still plenty to do! That being said, unless something goes horribly wrong this year (knocking on wood over here!), it will be done and published before this time next year. I’m looking forward to seeing exactly where I’m at next year after it’s been published for a bit. Will it be an instant best-selling hit that sends me to book signings across the world? Will it be the worst thing ever written and have people running me out of town? Who knows!

More funny posts, dammit!

This holiday season, I was looking over blog posts that I’ve written in the past (this one, primarily), and I realized that I’ve gotten WAY too serious. All of my posts for the past year or so have been deep, serious thoughts about life. Many of them have just been about personal development. Sure, those posts helped me write the aforementioned book, but I miss all of the quirky, weird posts that I used to write. I want to become that fun writer again! That writer you all know and love that writes about weird interactions, misadventures, and chairs that hold laundry! Let’s bring her back in 2022.

Now, it’s time to tag some awesome bloggers for this challenge (obviously no pressure, friends!). Either way, you should check out their blogs, because they’re awesome:

Michelle

Paul

Bex

Alexis

Eleanor

Here’s to hoping that 2022 is a wonderful year of growth for everyone!

Photo by zero take on Unsplash