2019 – The Year in Review

Well, here we are – another year ending, and an opportunity to reflect on it!

Looking Back…

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Deep in reflection on December 30, 2019.

The close of 2019 brings about a nice moment of reflection for me.  On all levels, 2019 was one of my best in recent years, not only on a personal level, but also on a professional and emotional level.  It has been a year of growth, change, and excitement.  Did I mention change?  How about excitement?  Because there was alot of both.

If I had to pick a year besides 2015 and 2018 (two other amazing recent years) that brought about an incredible amount of excitement to my life, it would be 2019.  Be it my first trip to Las Vegas, my sixth trip to Walt Disney World, three concerts (two in the same weekend), or, oh I don’t know, the day I got married, or – wow, just as big – bought our first home, 2019 was full of incredible memories!

And this doesn’t even scratch the surface of what has made 2019 memorable for me!

Meanwhile, On Allison’s Written Words…

Here on Allison’s Written Words, it has been a huge year as well.

At the beginning of the year, I challenged myself to write a year’s worth of dipping into the nostalgic well with heavily-researched themed articles on different subjects.  This proved to be a huge hit, and as I came to find out, the kind of nostalgia people really seem to love.  I’m planning to incorporate this as part of regular writing on this site, since as you may have guessed, I loved research.  The articles were fun to write, and I couldn’t tell you which topic I liked the best, since they were all alot of fun and tapped into all of my varied interests and whatever I was probably obsessed with at the moment.

When the door that was Retroist closed earlier this year, a new door named Pop Culture Retrorama opened up.  I’ve been contributing regularly to that site since September, and will continue to do so until someone kicks me out and tells me to go home to Allison’s Written Words.  And since that is not happening, I’ll continue pulling double duty writing about what I love.

Looking Ahead…

As always, the best is yet to come with this site, as it is forever a work in progress.  In addition to continuing the “Do You Remember?” articles I wrote last year (with less frequency, I’m shooting for two per month).  I’ll keep up with Throwback Thursday and Flashback Friday, and am toying with upping the “cutoff year” again (I increased it to 2003 last year, but I’m not 100% sure I’m ready to up it just yet).

Of course, I’ll keep Music Monday coming.  I’d like to write more recaps, and once in a while, focus on some personal stories or nostalgia.  I found telling my own stories and pushing aside research was alot of fun, and it is amazing how you can connect with others who find something to relate to you on that level.  I want to be able to do more of that.

I also want to hear other people’s stories – it’s why I ask for comments.  I love it when people share their stories.  I love the “oh, I remember this!” and “oh, did you ever see/try/wear/own this before?” kind of moments.  I have them all the time. It is the fuel from which many of my writing ideas are powered, the driving force that keeps the stories coming.  It’s not a cry for attention, with a whiny “READ MY BLOG!” intent.  To tell the story, do the research, and ask for your story is what helps keep my purpose going.  It’s what happened when I set out to re-establish Allison’s Written Words in 2015 (when I moved over to WordPress on a whim), and after a few years of hard work, things are finally going the way I have always wanted them to go.

I’m going to start to think about how to ring in the 5th anniversary of the re-established Allison’s Written Words (which is in May), but I promise it will be very much what you’d expect from me, given what you see on this blog.

Oh, and there’s something else…I actually didn’t mention something huge happening very soon, but I figured I would save the best for (almost) last.

Change of Scenery

You really thought I was going to say “so, I got married and bought a house, so the next logical step is I’m popping out a baby next,” didn’t you?

Trust me, no babies to come, but a new career adventure awaits!

As of yesterday, I closed out my 2019 with the announcement that I’ve resigned from my job.  I’ve made plenty of mentions (I think) that I’ve worked as a Secretary for a non-profit that provides support and advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, to allow them to live to the fullest of their potential, while providing the necessary supports along the way.  Be it a home, assistance with daily activities, a place to go during the day, a break from parents (and some socialization time outside of school!) for the kiddos (and the big kids!), or the ability to have meaningful employment, the mission of where I’ve worked for many years is one of fostering a positive atmosphere has been more than a stepping stone, it has shown me what I’m good at, where my abilities are.

I’ve found myself to be a great problem solver, a type of person that makes the workplace an easier (and more sane) place to navigate.  In January 2020, two weeks from now, to be exact, I’ll be taking those abilities and putting them to good use in a different office environment – same type of job, but a different field.  There is a promise to cross train and teach me new skills.  Perhaps I’ll even find my niche.

More on that to come!

2020: The Ongoing Journey

Great title for a movie, don’t you think?

Saying peace out to 2019 comes with alot of gratitude and happiness for everything that made it so great.  As with 2018, I was looking to the next year with hopeful anticipation of what was to come.  I’m not going to lie, I’ve had years where I felt differently, and I’ve worked hard to get myself to where I am.  I’m not without my moments and anxiety, but that’s a healthy part of my progress.

The story of my year may not be exciting to everyone, but to me, it is part of my story, the one I continue to build upon and grow.  If you’d asked me ten years ago what I thought my life would be like in 2019, I would never have said any of the things I’d done this year.

I’m proud of my growth as a person, just as I am of the growth my blog has taken – the direct result of my personal growth plays a part in that.  Make no mistake, 2019 was a great year for everything, and 2020 promises to be no different!

Onward to 2020, the adventure continues!

Join me, won’t you?

Have a Happy New Year!

 

 

 

 

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