My word for 2022 is healing. It took me a long time to come to, and I still feel a bit resistant. Healing is hard. It is not fun, joy, writing, travel. But it is necessary after two years and counting of surviving a pandemic and early motherhood.
My body and heart have both been in rough shape. Here are the things I think will help:
- Launch two little businesses.
- Get typewriter repaired.
- Get bike fixed up.
- Get a bike trailer or seat for Ori.
- Have my first overnight from Ori by choice.
- Try the autoimmune protocol diet for at least two weeks.
- Finish upstairs bathroom remodel.
- Finish sunroom remodel.
- Begin work on basement remodel.
- Replace hideous ceiling fan in living.
- Replace crystal chandelier in dining room.
- Do Dutch test for hormones.
- Heal relationship with sensuality and sex.
- Submit to This House of Mine again.
- Submit to Mothertongue.
- Sleep in late just because, not for sickness.
- Have a grief ritual alone.
- Attend a community grief ritual.
- Set up a healing alter on top of dresser.
- Set up basement office.
- Set up recumbent bike in basement and ride it at least once.
- Get booster shot!
- Make a galette with yard berries.
- Visit Michigan.
- Visit all of Portland’s bookstores.
- Refinish a piece of furniture.
- Have favorite denim shirt repaired.
- Build a sandcastle.
- Tour preschools.
- Plant a flower garden.
- Plant a vegetable garden.
- Finish flower pressing book.
- Fingerpaint with Ori.
- Apply to grad school again.
- Knit a blanket.
- Get a pap smear and mammogram.
- Keep health log for a month.
- Write thank you notes to the good health practitioners I’ve seen.
- Get a new phone.
- Try cross stitch.
- Go to readings (virtually and/or in person).
- Get a pair of nice hiking boots.
- Have a healing of some kind.
- Do weekly artist dates for a month.
- Go to bed at 9pm every night for a week.
- Do the January Cure at some point, on your own timeline.
- Take a class.
- Bring a notebook to a cafe and sit for an hour, observing.
- See a play, opera, or other theatrical production. [2016]
- Visit the Atlantic Ocean. [2016]
- Go on a writing retreat. [2017]
- Drive a motorcycle. [2017]
- Visit Mount Hood. [2018]
- Visit Mount Saint Helens. [2018]
- Go whale watching. [2018]
- Teach a writing workshop. [2018]
- Go for a long solo hike. [2019]
- Go on a camping trip. [2019]
- Go a week without Netflix / nighttime TV shows. [2019]
- Go dancing. [2019]
- Finish IPRC certificate program [2020]
- Take a 24-hour digital detox. No screens. [2020]
- Make a zine. [2020]
- Replace plates and bowls with handmade ones. [2020]
- Decorate holiday cookies. [2020]
- See a movie alone. [2020]
- Visit a synagogue. [2020]
- Go kayaking. [2020]
- Visit family in Denver. [2020]
- Get a manicure. [2020]
- Get a facial. [2020]
- Visit an art museum. [2020]
- Take Ori to a children’s museum. [2020]
- Get car mats and seat covers. [2020]
- Do a family photo shoot. [2020]
- Leave a 100% tip. [2020]
- Make a family tree for Ori. [2020]
- Finish Soft Spot. [2021]
- Repair favorite quilt. [2021]
- Finish a book arts project. [2021]
- Buy a piece of art I love. [2021]
- Have at least one friend date every month with a different friend. [2021]
- Send a holiday card that arrives before the holidays. [2021]
- Finish putting together emergency kits. [2021]
- Try punch needling. [2021]
- Create a cozy reading nook. [2021]
- Have car detailed. [2021]
- Have coffee or tea on the couch with a friend. [2021]
- Submit work once a month. [2021]
- Print photos. [2021]
- Send 10 thank you cards to people I’m grateful for. [2021]
- Update personal website with artwork and recent writing. [2021]
- Attend a story time. [2021]
- Read five books by Black writers. [2021]
- Buy art from Black artists. [2021]
- Have headshots taken. [2021]
- Do annual collecting through notebooks. [2021]
- Buy another fun pair of glasses. [2021]
- Get an apron. [2021]
- Play cards. [2021]
- Finish this list.
DANIELLE ALEXANDER 