Summary of year 2022

At the end of this year, I decided to write this kind of summary, make this kind of checkpoint, so that someday I can more easily trace what happened in my life and when. And also to give thanks for the good I received. Writing a blog lets me look at my life in a certain way from the third person, a bit like at the hero of a novel. It frees me from some feelings, lets me see more. I’m curious what comes next.

- We started 2022 by looking for a new apartment. The old one started feeling a bit cramped, and we also calculated that the mortgage installment would cost us more or less the same as rent. We had already checked our creditworthiness (still before the huge interest rate hikes) and even visited another apartment, but in the end we decided on a different option: at my parents’ invitation, we converted a few rooms in their house into an apartment for us, to save a bit for a down payment. I’ll judge this idea only once we move out of here.

- I celebrated my 25th birthday. Unusually for me, I had a real party, which J. prepared for me. She put soooo much heart into it. There were lots of guests, so I could see many people I don’t get to see very often, but who are important to me, all in one place and at one time.

- Second pregnancy. Expected and wanted, but still stressful. It showed me more of my weaknesses, but we’re slowly managing to overcome them. I’m learning calm, gentleness, and taking care of my own needs in relationships.

- I went back to therapy. It’s hard for me to ask someone for help, ask questions, bother someone, and in therapy I can do that. It helps me organize my emotions, change my thinking, take some concrete action. Thanks to that, I’m much happier with my life and my relationships with loved ones, and I think more optimistically about what our life with two kids will look like.

- Ida turned one. I like her more and more, we have more and more fun together. I’m learning how to raise her. I try to respect her emotions, but also set boundaries. I’m happier and happier that I have her in my life :)

- We went to Family Oasis for the first time. We met lots of lovely families and married couples, from those without children to those with many. It strengthened me, because I could see how others function, how they deal with difficulties, and that despite their weaknesses they’re doing well. We also faced a new challenge, which was going on this kind of trip with a small child.

- I bought a new Holy Scripture - the Bible of the First Church, meaning a translation from the Septuagint. And I started reading it. Lately my prayer life has been quite turbulent, just like the whole sphere of faith in me in general, and this Bible gave me this breath of freshness and a stronger encouragement to reach for it more often.

- We’re ending the year with another cholestasis and an enormous amount of prayer for us, from our family, friends, other couples from our Domestic Church circle, and other people.

The new year we’re starting with my fever and sitting at home instead of hanging out at friends’ place. Still, I have reasons to think that this start to the year turned out better than some other one would have, because at midnight I got a great idea, and we renewed our wedding vows :)

And now we keep going :)