Hello, New Year 2022! I’ve Got These 2 Words For You

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Happy New Year 2022 Scholarly Mamas!

It’s been a great start to the New Year 2022 so far! We have been enjoying time with my Dad who has been visiting us for the Christmas holidays.  

The boys have especially enjoyed spending quality time with their Grandad over these past few weeks.  

We will all miss him so much when he returns home! Cue the violins :-(. 

But for now, and especially after the 2020 and 2021 we’ve all had, I am just cherishing these precious moments we have together.

2021 challenged me in new ways

The year 2021 was an interesting journey.

It began with the birth of our third son (by caesarean section). It was amazing but scary given that we were still in the middle of a pandemic and national lockdown here in the UK. 

This meant that I came home from hospital to simultaneously heal from surgery, care for a newborn and homeschool our other two boys. 

It was indeed a baptism of fire as I adapted to being a new mum of three. I was challenged in new ways.

I am just keeping it real with you Mamas, it has definitely not always been a walk in the park. The sleep deprivation of 2021 was a struggle!

In a recent conversation, I mentioned to a friend of mine that I have not had a full night’s sleep for the entire year of 2021!

Umm, can you tell how much I am looking forward to our son sleeping through the night? Yes, because this Mama needs some SLEEEEEEEEEEP!

But I survived it all, and now I know how strong and resilient I am.

Things I loved about 2021

Despite the challenges of 2021, it’s been a wonderful journey as a family of five this year.

I wouldn’t change that for the world. 

Our adorable baby boy entered our lives this year, blessed our hearts and made our family complete. I am loving every moment of being a boy mum of three, which 2021 brought me!

Last year (can’t believe I’m saying that), my husband and I celebrated 15 years of marriage, which still feels surreal to us both! 

I finally launched my Mrs Mummy PhD blog in 2021. I’ve connected with so many lovely Scholarly Mamas on Instagram. I have also become more intentional about reading non-academic books, many of which are featured on My Bookshelf page.

And toward the end of 2021, I returned to the final year of my PhD, post-maternity leave. 

I wrote and published the second and third books in my Doodle Dozen picture book series. With this, I did my first radio interview (on BBC radio), interview on the Mom’s Who Create Podcast and school visit as an author in 2021! 

I also completed the most amazing author training course for writers from under-represented minority groups, which will support my next steps as a children’s author.

Through this experience, I’ve made some awesome contacts within the publishing industry and learned so much about writing children’s books.

Finally, I’ve ended the year by getting to spend time with my Dad, who I had not seen in over 3 years! 

So all things considered, it’s been a great year for reflection as we prepare for the New Year 2022! 

All change towards a better me in the New Year 2022

What all these experiences of 2021 don’t show is the internal transformation that has taken place within me. It doesn’t capture the life-changing mindset shift I’ve experienced and renewed vision I have for my life.

This is part of the reason why I am so focused on growing and transitioning into my best self in the New Year 2022. As you know, I am all about living a purposeful Scholarly Mama life. I took the long and difficult path to this place but I am glad I finally got here.  

Before, this Scholarly Mama was a perfect brew of an over-achiever, perfectionist, over-thinker and people-pleaser who found herself lost in the cocktail of trying to keep up with external definitions of success!

And on top of that, I’ve seen how the pressures of a PhD will have you running around in circles of doubt, depression and despair, if you let it.  

But I realised that in order to live differently, I had to be bold enough to think differently first. I had to redefine what success meant for me.

So, I’ve taken off the hats of stress, guilt and overwhelm. Instead I’ve put on the armour of purpose, fearlessness and intention as I make boss moves toward the best version of me!  

And so far, I can honestly say, I have no regrets.

If the two years of this pandemic have taught me anything, it’s that life is too short to not do the things that bring me peace, joy and fulfilment. 

My 2 words for the New Year 2022

Isn’t it funny how life has a way of turning our pain into teachable moments that transform our lives for the better?

As they say, I am grateful for all the struggles of last year because without them I would not have discovered my purpose.

That motivates me to continue putting in the work to becoming ALL of me in 2022 and beyond.

The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.

melodie beattie

So with this in mind, I have decided to come up with two words for the New Year 2022, that will thematise my focus for this year and guide my decision-making in this new chapter of my life.

My two words for the New Year 2022 are growth & transition. 

These are the two words which have been on my heart lately and I have decided to make them my focus for 2022. My next blog post will explain why.

For now, I will simply say that for the New Year 2022, I’m focusing on these two things:

1. GROWING gracefully to become ALL of who I was created to be
2. TRANSITIONING fearlessly into new spheres by stepping even further out of my comfort zone and taking bold and intentional steps.

I want to be even more present for my family and loved ones while making meaningful contributions to the world our kids will inherit. 

So, continuing to create the life my family and I deserve is absolutely top on my agenda for the New Year 2022!

I thank God in advance for faith, wisdom and favour.

My 2 words for 2022 align with my guiding principle of becoming purposefully whole. Seeking joy and purpose in all things, focussing on the things that bring meaning to my life and enjoying the every moment with the ones I get to share it with.

So bring on the growth and transition! Bring on this New Year 2022!

I don’t know about you, but this Scholarly Mama is preparing to step things up a notch! 

Over to You!

Have you ever tried to come up with a couple of words or a guiding theme for a New Year? What are yours for this New Year 2022?

Let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear. And don’t forget to share this post with another PhD Mama you know, if you found it helpful.

Until next time, Happy New Year and remember that these are our journeys of becoming!

Best wishes,