Rather late, I finally took some time to reflect on the past year.
2022 was a big year for me.
In lots of ways.
I got married.
My daughter started her first grade of school.
We travelled a bit.
I exercised more than the previous year.
I read and listened to music a bit.
My company grew and we did some cool shit along the way.
I haven’t eaten any meat for one full year.
So yeah, it wasn’t just a regular year. That’s why I decided I’d write down these reflections out in public and stop keeping them all only to myself.
But before I dive into the year in review, I’ll write down a simple method I’ve been using now for a couple of years, to help me reflect on things in a more structured way.
I don’t remember exactly where I picked it up, but with a few tweaks, I tailored it to my needs.
First, what’s the frequency of these reflections?
I try doing it quarterly.
But I’m not really consistent.
And I don’t really care.
This way of looking back on things, helps me think more concisely.
No matter the frequency.
But I still try to do it quarterly.
This way it’s easier and quicker.
It is way easier to recall and go over the last three months, rather than a year.
So, the way I do my personal year/quarter review is …
I divide each review into five main categories:
- Health
- Love & Relationships
- Business / Job
- Fun & Play
- Self image
When I started, I set up my calendar alerts for every three months on Sunday evenings — That’s the safest day to plan so far ahead for me — to reflect a bit, and go over each of these topics.
But what does each category mean?
Health
With health, I try to look at how was i feeling most of the time. Was I tired constantly, not willing to do stuff or was I energetic, driven, and ecstatic?
Did I exercise regularly, ate healthy, stop and calm down, or was I chugging down burgers and beers, and went to bed in the morning?
Was I in need of a doctor or any type of medicine, or was I in great shape and running around freely?
The questions I ask myself when reflecting on this topic are; Do I think I could be exercising more? Do I feel good? Do I generally have the energy and willingness to do stuff? and so on …
Love & relationships
Everything that relates to my family (my wife, my daughter, our dog, my mom, my dad), friends, and other random encounters that bring joy and delight to my life.
The questions I ask myself when reflecting on this topic are Am I happy with how things stand with [insert a loved one]? When was the last time we had a nice, long, cozy dinner together? How are we communicating? How often? How deep? How are things in the bedroom? and so on …
Business / Job
I own a gamification agency in Ljubljana with one of my dearest and oldest friends Marko.
This topic reflects and acknowledges all the relationships, progress, achievements, and failures regarding Escapbox.
And occasional side hustles.
The questions I ask myself when reflecting on this topic are Am I enjoying what we’re doing? Is it fun? Exciting? Rewarding? Are the people I work with the kind of people I’d be happy and honored to work with within the next couple of months or even years? Is it fulfilling me and my hyperactive personality? and so on …
Fun & Play
This topic helps me be aware of the things I like and care about, but are so simple to leave behind and neglect when things get clustered and time shrinks.
I always loved new, exciting, and a bit raw things, and experiences.
That’s why the questions I ask myself are Am I keeping my youthfully inner me happy or bored? Would a 12-year-old me be “cool with” what I turned out to be so far? Is my now six-year-old happy and proud of what her father is doing? Do I participate in at least a couple really of new, unique (bonus for also crazy) a year or not? Why only a couple a year? … and so on.
Self-image
This final topic serves as a mirror. To stop and look at my present inner (and outer sometimes as well) self and to lay out even the hardest truths, so I can then try to overcome this retarded psychological effects.
Did I do everything I promised myself I would? If not, what was the main reason? Did I pussy out on things and why? Did stuff I did make me happy and feel good about myself? Are the decisions I make reflect my true wishes and values? Would I call someone like myself a person of integrity?
And that’s it.
It’s quite simple once you write down these questions, set up an automated reminder, and sit down for a couple of minutes.
I’ve been working this way for a little over a year now and last year was a decent year for me.
So, my 2022 year-in-review goes something like this
Health in review
Last year was a good year regarding exercise, general feeling, and health.
In 2020 I started to run more frequently again after a couple of years. But I was not that concise. I fixed the frequency by the end of 2021 when I was already running two to three times a week. By the end of October last year, I ran at least two times a week, and often three times.
In November I bought myself a fitness membership. I wanted to work on my body mass and muscles a bit. I was always skinny. Now, after turning thirty, some years ago, this skinny stick is getting a little bump in the front.
And I don’t like that. The thing that bothered me the most at the begging of the year was my stretching abilities. I was numb as fuck. And I needed to fix that. In January last year, I could barely touch my ankles with my legs straight. Now, one year later, I can almost put my entire palm on the floor in front of me.
Health, mindfulness, energy levels, posture, muscles, digestion, and so many other things just seem to fit more into place after every good workout.
Marko and I took this really fancy full-body special examination. Like I really mean full-body investigation. They did our MR scans, intensity workout recordings, ultrasounds, … all of it. Apparently, I’m in really good shape.
My biological age actually is 20, I beg your pardon.
Love & Relationships in review
It’s been a crazy year for my family and me.
Me and Dora (now my wife) got married after eight years together and after one lovely mini-me (ok, more like mini Dora to be fair) named Ina.
We threw a little get-together party for friends and Family. Friends from all over Europe took time and came to celebrate with us. It truly was an unforgettable moment.
But as with everything, even love life was not always great and jolly even in the previous year. But rough patches have to happen along the way. I think they keep us sane, real, and grounded.
Hard times help me reflect deeper and more emotionally, and — even more important — shape me into a better human being.
I know, that’s weird. But I dunno, I guess my mind is wired in a way, that when an emergency and despair kick in, I tend to reflect harder, be more grounded and be more humble.
But I was not the best friend last year. I took too little time to call them, go on a beer with them, be with them. I should work harder on this in 2023. I used to host a yearly spring bbq in my garden in Ljubljana, but then Covid kill the gathering for a couple of years, and now I need to do it again.
Also, a lot of my friends are leaving Slovenia and Ljubljana. Hence, it’s getting harder and harder to stay closer in touch. I really hate messaging and chatting online. Always have. It doesn’t mean I don’t do it though, but I don’t enjoy it nearly as much as getting a beer together.
But I guess this is one phase in life’s progression, and a lot of things will sort out organically. As years pass. Those, strong and meaningful enough will stay no matter what, some will fade away and become a lovely memory.
Business / Job in review
Oh, it’s been one hell of a year. Great projects. A bit of a growth. Some major internal changes, shifts and frame breakings. First resignation. First firing.
We built several new products, pushing the boundaries of our creativity and innovation. Testing these in 2023 is more than just a plan; it’s a journey we’re all thrilled to embark on.
The need to build more new products in 2023 is not just a goal, it’s our fuel. It’s what keeps us awake at night, brainstorming and sketching out the future. And let’s talk about AI – this year, we’re not just going to use it; we’re going to play with it, experiment, and see how it can not just improve our business but revolutionize it.
Fun & Play in Review
Now, onto fun and play. Sure, this year could’ve been better for hanging out with friends, hitting concerts, and losing ourselves in festivals. But you know what? It was still a blast. I found joy in the simple moments with my daughter Ina and my wife Dora. Those little moments, those bursts of laughter and shared smiles, they’re the true highlights of my year.
It’s those unplanned, spontaneous outings and the quiet evenings at home that really stick with me. They remind me that happiness isn’t always about the big events; it’s about the small, everyday joys.
Self Image in Review
And lastly, a candid note on self-image. Despite the strides in business and personal life, the ghost of imposter syndrome still lingers. It’s like a shadow, sometimes faint, sometimes overwhelming. I still catch myself doubting my abilities, questioning my decisions. It’s a battle, one that I’m still learning to fight.
But here’s the thing – I recognize it. I see it for what it is. And that’s half the battle won. The other half is about building self-esteem, being more courageous, and standing firm in my beliefs and decisions. It’s a journey, and I’m ready for it.
So, that’s my 2022 in a nutshell. A year of love, growth, challenges, and self-discovery. It wasn’t perfect, but it was mine, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Here’s to a 2023 that’s just as eventful, just as challenging, and just as rewarding. Let’s do this!
