Reverb 2011

Last December I wrote a post using a prompt from Reverb 2010, an online project that encouraged people to reflect and write about their year and what they hoped to accomplish in the next.  I was reading Yoga G33k today and she’s doing Reverb 2011 and linked to a set of prompts written by Kaileen Elise, one of the founders of Reverb.  Rereading last year’s post made think about how much has changed this year.  I’m definitely a much happier, calmer person due to major changes.  I didn’t manage to get rid of all the clutter and keep a spotless house, but I don’t have as much anxiety and I devote most of my time to things that matter.  I have a lot planned for 2012, but there’s more on that to come.

I’m going to answer all of those prompts by January first. 

1.  Where did 2011 begin?

I began 2011 stuck at my dead-end job, unhappy and overweight.  I was desperate to find a new line of work and didn’t care if it left us broke and living in my grandma’s basement.  I was miserable.

2.  Who did you meet?

I didn’t really meet anyone new this year, but I did get better acquainted with co-workers when I started my new job.  I’d already worked in the building for almost seven years, but I didn’t really know the people in my department that well.  I got to know my fiancé's friends, which has been wonderful.  He has a fun set of guy friends that I never used to see, but now they come around more and we watch hockey and Game of Thrones.  It’s great. 

3.    What books did you read? 

Many.  See here.

4.  When did you struggle?

At the beginning of the year I was ready to quit my old job with no back-up plan because I was so unhappy.  Another thing I struggled with is something I’m kind of embarrassed about now, but I’m going to put it out there in case someone else is in the same situation.  I really struggled waiting for my boyfriend to propose.  I feel stupid now because we’re engaged and it was totally worth the wait, but it seemed like every week another person I knew was getting engaged or married and I wasn’t.  We both knew that’s where we were headed, but it was taking forever.  I have a very thoughtful, deliberate partner who takes his time making decisions and plans and I’m impatient and tactless and want things to happen yesterday. 

The pressure to hit these milestones in your life is ridiculous, though.  I used to feel like there was a life timeline I was supposed to follow, that I needed to be at a certain place in my life by a certain age and that’s just dumb.  I’d mostly let go of that feeling except for in this instance and it made me feel foolish.  It’s funny, because now that we’re engaged I’m in no rush to get married.  I either want to do it tomorrow down at city hall or wait another five years.  So ladies, don’t let this dumb stuff get you down.  Every relationship is unique and shouldn’t be shoehorned into a way that doesn’t work for you and your partner. 

5.  What did you discover?

I discovered that I’m a good librarian.  I was worried that I’d never get a job using my degree, and once I did get my dream job, I worried that I’d be terrible at it.  I’m not perfect at my job by any means, but I’m damn good.  One of my goals for 2012 is to get better organized at work and create better systems for staying on top of my duties, though.  I hate coming into work with a messy desk and remembering at the last minute that I was supposed to make a sign or booklist. 

That’s it for now.  Have a fantastic Christmas if that’s your thing!  I’ll be back on Monday.