What have you achieved in 2021?

[TravellingSpoon]

Following on from the goals thread, what have you done this year that you are proud of?.

Foe me, I have a new job which was a promotion. I've started a new qualification through said job and we have moved house. The kids have had a good year I think, with a few minor wobbles now they are both teenagers.

I survived teaching in 2021 relatively unscathed. I'm now on ADs as a result of covid plus other work stress but tbh just getting through it seems enough of an achievement!! It's been a heck of a year

Got a puppy. Best thing I've done in years. He's ace.

Other than that.....not a lot. But then I think treading water during a pandemic is enough.

I started therapy in January, something like the 12th time since age 16 .

Phoned my friend the night the therapy started and told her it was terrible, not worth it; ‘the therapist is far too bloody happy and this is useless’ . Friend said to stick with it, and see what happened, ‘you’ve sod all else, may as well try’

Nine months on that ‘too bloody happy’ therapist helped me realise I wasn’t anxious, I was traumatised, I’d been abused for a very long time and I’d been very seriously assaulted .

Somehow she got me to talk back to her - things I had never discussed with another person - we both think because it was all done over the phone so I couldn’t see her face !!, all done from my bedroom, then she got me to talk to my GP and my best friend … with her help I managed to pull myself out of a nervous breakdown and started taking care of me again.

I’m going into 2022 knowing I will be talking to the police about the assault; and understanding myself so much more and wanting to take care of me in a positive way .

Started to build my own house

Opened my own company

Got pregnant !!!

Not too shabby

Managed a few short breaks in the UK.
Kept my shit together with the kids (both at uni but were at home for long periods of time).
Oldest DS got a graduate job even before he left uni. Thank god.
I Managed to secure a secondment in my job for six months which was a joy rather than doing my usual shitty stressful job.
DH kept his shit together in his stressful job too.
Friends however have had horrid traumas that I can’t even begin to know how I would deal with. On balance I am grateful we are all still alive.

I had a healthy beautiful baby boy! I had wished for him so hard and long!

@Hdiso Many congratulations 🥳 on your baby.

@MirthlessChuckle

I've been really fighting the agoraphobia in the last few months. I can now (with masks) go into shops, coffee shops, and art galleries. Also went inside my family's house at Christmas.

This will sound like nothing to most people but for me it's been huge!

That sounds like a massive feat, well done.

Learnt to drive, passed in October

I paid my mortgage off.
Had central heating installed.
One child started a good job and now has a partner.
The other child finally started attending SEND college.

I’m still standing - that’s enough for me given the shit I’ve been through.

Finally pursued my inkling that I am neurodivergent, which has thrown up so much more than I could ever have expected. Formally diagnosed, going through titration on ADHD meds and about to start therapy. I’ve also registered with Disability Services at uni and I’m getting appropriate support for the first time in my life (I’m 31).

Sadly it’s swings and roundabouts because I went through a period of burnout/depression which led to me doing absolutely nothing toward my PhD for a full six months. Next year is going to be full speed ahead on that front.