I view the opening of my Happiness Box Project as the culmination of the winter holiday season (summer for my friends in the Southern Hemisphere). I view the opening of my Happiness Box Project as a way to reflect on the year that has passed, and even in dark moments, there is always something to be grateful for.
2022 had a lot of dark moments and I know I’m going to read about them. I’m grateful for my friends, both offline and friends from this community, who were there for me during those dark times. I met David during one of those dark times. Fortunately, those dark times only lasted for seven months and light slowly started to shine in. It’s been mostly light for the last three months. I look forward to reading those notes.
I’ll be reflecting everything I learned in 2022. I learned a lot and I became a stronger person. I stopped blaming myself for the behaviour of others by learning to say “this is not a Jessica problem.” If something happens because of a “Jessica problem,” I take a deep breath, calm down, and apologize. I also know if it’s a problem belonging to someone else, they may be having an off-day and I give them grace. I give myself grace when I have an off-day.
I will not be looking back in regret about one aspect of 2022. He is in the past, it is over and done with, that train has left the station. That train truly left the station at the beginning of last year; he can no longer hurt me and doesn’t deserve the space in my head. I am with someone now who truly loves and honours me; I will be focusing on our relationship, as well as my relationships with friends and family. I’m embracing my village.
I also like to use the opening of the Happiness Box Project as a way to look forward to the new year ahead. 2023 is going to be exciting. I can’t wait to go on more adventures with David. I can’t wait to spend more time with his friends. I can’t wait to spend more time with my friends and both David and I joining groups together. I won’t be taking on any new projects this year. I want to work on scrapbooking Happiness Box 2022, I want to work on my holiday album, and one of my co-workers at the Public Defender’s office approached me about proofreading a book he’s writing at some point. He will pay me.
I am resting this evening and looking forward. Happy New Year!
The Happiness Box Project 