2021 was a year of big changes, discovering new hobbies, and delighting in the people and things that I love. It was full of both excitement and sorrow, teeming with new experiences while feeling like I've been on repeat for years.

Perhaps the most important decision I made in the last year was to stop following pandemic news so closely and simply accept life as it came. Worrying about what I was or wasn’t allowed to do or what I’d lost because of the state of the world added no value to my life; it only robbed me of the potential joy I could experience in the present moment. So while so many things were being taken away, I chose (and still choose) to lean into the things that remain: my family and friends, the activities I love, the outdoors, my faith.

At the age of 25, I find I’m reflecting more and more about where I’ve been and where I’m headed. I recognize that I’ve learned a lot this past year but that I also have so much to learn. I feel both extremely young and inexplicably old. While reflecting on the past year brings up a range of emotions, I choose to linger on the good:

Tried new things

Something I adopted at the beginning of 2021 that I intend to carry forward is to stop waiting to do the things I want to do. That's not to say that we should immediately give into everything we desire, but the tendency to wait for the ideal timing to do something or for the perfect person to do it with can rob us of ever doing the thing at all. If not now, when? I vowed I would dive into the things I was curious to try, even if it meant doing it alone or doing it a little scared.

I wanted to try bouldering outside and happened to befriend someone at the climbing gym who invited me to go. I did, and it was an amazing experience that left me with more new friends to climb with. I finally invested in a ski touring setup and told myself that I would do my Avalanche Safety Training in 2022, even if that meant going to the training solo (with the rest of the class and instructor, of course!). I went truck camping for the first time and I finally took my dad up on his offer to take me flying. So far, trying new things has proven to not only be overwhelmingly positive but also far less terrifying than I expected. Sure, I've had to get past the fear of falling while climbing or past the dread of small talk when amongst a group of strangers (introvert problems, anyone?), but I'm inclined to believe that stretching ourselves beyond our comfort zones is a good thing.

Moved out

Perhaps the biggest life change this past year was moving out of my parents’ house into my first apartment. It was something I'd been thinking about for the past couple years and it's a change that dramatically impacted my life. Having my own space away from my family has made me more independent and self-sufficient while also teaching me to co-exist with someone other than my family. My roommate and I are both artists so we've loved putting our work up around the place and making the space our own.

New job

After two years at my previous job, I stepped into a new role that allows me to put my marketing and communications experience to work for the Catholic Church. I'm extremely passionate about the religious and non-profit sector and while I’m still figuring out where my career will take me, I know this was the next right step in that journey!

Started selling art

Something I’m most proud of this year is that I began selling my art at United Strangers Coffee and on Etsy. During the height of the pandemic, I picked up my old ink pens and began creating again. My sister told me I should try to sell some of my pieces, and so began the process of printing, packaging, and selling. It’s been a fun (and at times frustrating) learning experience and I’m still humbled by the fact that people choose to purchase my art to gift to someone or hang in their own home. It's my hope that each of my pieces brings a little bit of the outdoors inside.

I've also been lucky enough to do some custom peg doll orders for friends and for the lovely staff at United Strangers. Something that started as a quarantine project has evolved into something that brings me great joy to do for other people.

Growth in the outdoors

When I started hiking 7 years ago, I learned everything from friends and relied heavily on them to plan trips, pack anything beyond the essentials, and essentially “hold my hand” as I found my footing in the outdoors. One of the biggest things I’ve realized this past summer is that I’m now at a place where I feel confident leading a trip from start to finish. I learned to drive my dad’s truck so that I could get myself to hikes where I would have otherwise relied on someone with a capable vehicle. I completed my gear kit so I have not only the essentials but everything required to go backpacking on my own or with a few friends. I feel confident in my outdoor experience and knowledge, and I have my more seasoned friends to thank for that. Now it’s my turn to pay that forward and help my friends get outside confidently and safely.

My increased confidence has led me to tackle bigger hikes. This summer some friends and I summited our highest peak yet: Mt. MacFarlane in the Fraser Valley. Standing at over 2000m (nearly 1800m of which we had to hike), this trek was daunting. We left Vancouver before sunrise but worried if we’d make it back to the car by sunset. It was the first time I felt anxious while hiking in quite some time. After hours of hiking, stopping at two lakes along the way, and scrambling up a rocky summit, we made it to the top. Nothing compares to the way it feels to take that last step onto the summit and stand on top of an exposed ridge overlooking mountains and valleys that span for miles. On top of mountain peaks is where I feel most free, most alive, closest to Jesus, and completely myself.

I also learned the value in getting outdoors for the sake of getting outdoors. There were some hikes where we didn't summit, some hikes where we had no view, and some hikes where the weather was nasty. Type 2 fun may not be so fun in the moment, but as a general rule I've found I'd rather be suffering a little outdoors than being bored indoors!

Being halfway through my 20s is both daunting and exciting. I look back on the past 5 years and am blown away by how much has changed and how much I've grown. It makes the next 5 years feel full of promise, change, and surprises, and I'm looking forward to seeing what's to come.