I’ll be honest, 2021 was a roller coaster! There were many challenges, but certainly things to be grateful for.

Due to the curveballs and travel restrictions, I can’t say that my word of the year, “explore” was completely appropriate, but that’s ok!

Psst! Click here to read my 2021 goals.

HERE’S A LOOK BACK AT MY YEAR OF EXPLORATION…

Explore

• The year started with Shelby and I hitting the local walking path nearly every day. Multiple job changes for Shelby and two family emergencies threw us off our groove, but I definitely made it outside more this year!

• We unfortunately had to cancel travel plans due to life and travel restrictions.

• I “explored” many new recipes and am in the habit of making a large batch of something and freezing leftovers. Cook once, eat 5+ times!

• Pursuing new business ideas was put on hold, but we’ve certainly taken the time and opportunity to plan out a few!

Life

• In January I celebrated 10 years with The MegaBug!

• This was also the big year of 5s! In August I celebrated 5 years at The Tannery Marketplace, in September Shelby and I celebrated our 5 year home ownership anniversary, and in October we had our fifth wedding anniversary.

• I spent much more time with friends and family this year, and feel more joyful and connected as a result.

• My love of Vera Bradley led me to become a VB Ambassador! Use code MISSMEGABUG at check-out to save 10% on your order.

• Despite everything the major changes this year brought, I’ve been booking a zen session of reiki, massage, facial, etc. at least once a month.

• On average I definitely made it outside three times a week, mostly in the warmer months!

• I’m terrible at meditation and did not stick to this goal!

• I started learning German on Duolingo in August, and since then I am now on a 150 day streak!

• My goal was to read 33 books and I read 44!

• Shelby’s job changes and our family emergencies did not leave my credit card in a good state, so I’m afraid to check my credit score! However, we have been on top of paying all of our bills.

• But speaking of Shelby’s job, he was offered an engineering position at New England Wire Technologies and is super happy there!

• While I wasn’t able to contribute the max to my Roth IRA this year, I did increase my weekly contribution to $25 and opened a SEP IRA that my business contributes $25 weekly too. I also opened an HSA that my business contributes $25/week to.

• This year’s challenges made it difficult to adjust my eating and movement habits as much as I had hoped, but I am proud of how often I made home cooked meals and the effort I put into getting outside despite all of that.

Business

• I booked a brand shoot back in May and you can see the photos throughout my website! (Learn how to plan an effective brand photo shoot here!)

• As I mentioned above, I celebrated five years in my studio at the Tannery Marketplace! To commemorate the occasion, I shared 5 Reasons Why I Don’t Work From Home.

• After feeling a strong wave of inspiration, I launched my Debug Your Business membership in September!

• I started updating my Marketing 101 course to add what I’ve learned since launching it in 2019.

• Because I’ve always been honest with my taxes, I received two PPP loans that have since been forgiven. They really helped! Between the family emergencies and letting go of 1-on-1 services, my business grossed 60% less than it did in 2020.

• My social media and subscription channels grew to…
YouTube: 842
Instagram: 949
Facebook: 697
Flodesk (e-newsletter): 137
Pinterest: 251
Twitter: 73
LinkedIn: 11

• Shelby and I hosted Littleton BINGO and the Littleton Town Wide Yard Sale with LEAD, the latter being a huge success!

This year certainly shook things up, and I’m looking forward to a 2022 that’s more thrive, less survive. We all need these types of years, though. What I want out of life has shifted as a result, and I have a deeper gratitude for the non-material. But yeah, a little more joy and success in 2022 would be great. =D

Auf wiedersehen, 2021!