I think we all can agree that this year has been a whirlwind of a year. Now, no one wanted to claim 2021 to be “their year,” but let’s be honest – we were thinking it. I mean, anything had to be better than 2020, right? But here we are at the end of 2021, and, well….
But I can’t claim this year as a bust. I think the biggest thing I learned out of 2021, and 2020 for that matter, was the importance of slowing down. I had some hiccups along the way, and a few times where I took on more than my mental health could handle. I had to blow up a few of my hard held ideas, rituals, and beliefs to save my sanity. But because of this, I feel more grounded today than I have in two years.
Since 2020, I found brand new joy in my spring garden, which naturally led to a newfound love for indoor plants. I never knew I was a plant person. I thought I was the person who killed plants. Now I’m talking to them, sticking my finger in the soil to make sure they’re hydrated, turning them in the light from the window, worrying when a leaf turns brown or yellow, and researching fertilizer and grow light options. I also admitted my own need for hydration and natural light, and begin being proactive about my water intake and daily movement.
This was the year I let go of diets and guilt over skipping the gym, trading it in for foods that make me feel nourished and happy, plus gentle yoga paired with a regular meditation practice. I’ve learned the importance of “cat days” or “no bones days” – days when I do the bare minimum as I let my body and soul recharge. I’m reading more, writing for pleasure more, breathing more.
And I published a whole lot less.
I’ll admit, this bothered me when 2020 went by and I had no new book to offer you. Then 2021 came, and I thought, surely this is the year. However, I came to realize it wasn’t – and that was okay.
But 2022 is.
I may not have published anything in the past two years, but I have been writing. Currently, I’m turning For the Birds into three books with plans to release all three over the next year. If you’re curious and can’t wait that long, head over to my blog to check out a few sneak peeks I’ve released.
And I’m still going slow. I’m working at a life of intention, understanding that doesn’t have to mean production or busy-ness. It can just be taking one deep breath in, followed by one deep breath out. Repeat.
My hope for you is that you come into your own life of intention. Whatever hardships or frustrations you’ve experienced, I hope they transform into new beginnings and fresh starts, paving the way for the things you truly want in your life.
And as a fellow bibliophile, I wish you another year of great reading! I hope every book you pick up transports you to another world and gives you a new way of looking at things. I hope each book changes you a little, along with every book lover you share them with.
Thank you for sticking with me over the years, trusting me with your time as you read my books or share them with other book lovers. We bibliophiles are a small but mighty group, and our passion for reading is strong!
Happy New Year,
Crissi Langwell
This year, I read a lot of really wonderful books (82+, to be exact). Here’s a list of my favorites:
- A Court of Silver Flames, Sarah J. Maas
- Devotions, Mary Oliver
- The Archer, Paulo Coelho
- Blood Water Paint, Joy McCullough
- People We Meet on Vacation, Emily Henry
- The Plated Prisoner series, Raven Kennedy
- No One is Talking About This, Patricia Lockwood
- Dry, Neal & Jarrod Shusterman
- The Folk of the Air series, Holly Black
- Normal People, Sally Rooney
- Fisherman series, Jewel E. Ann
- They Both Die at the End, Adam Silvera
Note: I get a small kickback when you purchase through these links.