2022 Reflections

Hey Fam, Happy New Year's Eve!

I have done this the last several years but I just wanted to take some time to write down my reflections on this year.

Wow wow wow, what a year it’s been full of firsts which is exciting and challenges which has kept it interesting. This year, I wanted to focus on breathing and taking my time.

I went to Church, did yoga, went to therapy and wrote the most I have in my entire life.

I read 10 books: Range (again), The Art of War, The 5 Love Languages: Singles Edition, Atomic Habits, The Song of Achilles, Never Split the Difference, Sum, Rich Dad Poor Dad, Rich Dad's Cash Flow Quadrant, How to Live: 27 conflicting answers and one weird conclusion..

I took a huge leap and moved to Atlanta, GA to get closer to my career dreams.

I travelled to New York twice, Miami twice, Las Vegas once, California four times, North Carolina twice and Colorado once. I travelled to Vancouver for the first time ever to spend time training and getting to know a new friend. I travelled back and forth from Orlando to Atlanta more times than I could keep track of.

I'm feeling pretty sentimental over here because it may well have been the biggest year of my life so far, and it makes me feel really good to know that I felt the same way last year.

During Covid, I spent alot of time working on myself but it was in a very safe environment. This year I spent alot of time on myself living out loud and pursuing my dreams while trying to be a better person than I was yesterday. Not only towards myself but towards others. And this year, I spent alot of time uncovering that it's much easier for me to be considerate of others, but being considerate to myself proved to be extremely challenging at times.

I’m really proud of myself for taking my time and not feeling rushed this year. I spent alot of effort reassuring myself and talking with others after things like the first big job that fell through, or dealing with some resurfacing trauma, or a live audition, or a car accident. I can only do as much as I can do and that’s okay. I don’t have to be “there” right now. And nor do I actually want to be. I practiced my preparation by training hard consistently and then when big moments came, I soothed myself by trusting what I believe and the timing. Had some heartbreaks though and hard times; this month has been particularly difficult but I know everything happens for a reason.

I listened to myself more this year and I have learned a lot about myself, what I want, my triggers, the way I communicate, what I put up with, what I think is important, to name a few and it makes me more curious how much more I’m going to learn this coming year. I also have listened to others better. I have spent more effort pursuing how to be more compassionate and I think that helped me listen and try to understand better.

So thankful to all my people. The people who I love, and who I work with; the people who motivate me and those who dare to stop me. The people who have seen me through lives and those I just met. I’m so thankful to my friends and family who love me, even when I make mistakes or make things harder. I'm thankful for my parents. They support me and want the best for me. Even through their shortcomings or mistakes. I love for who they are and for loving me for who I am. I'm thankful for my friends who know that I need space sometimes and still support me from a short distance. I'm so thankful.

My favorite moments are definitely sharing hearty laughs with people. Probably fourth of July. I had so much fun with one of my best friends. We partied and laughed until my cheeks and abs hurt. I'm so thankful for everyone who wants to have a good time with me!

My proudest moment of the year might have been the feeling I got after the biggest live audition to date. I wasn't nervous because I felt like I had prepared well and trained hard for the last couple years that I just wanted to show them where I am now and what I can do at this point. I have never loved auditioning and have had some experiences that put live auditions in a scary light. I gave it my best and felt at peace with it, and then I went on vacation and felt very relaxed. And then I got the job. The biggest job to date. From a live audition.

I also PR'ed on my deadlift this year and hit 200lbs in May. I spent the year learning from scratch Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and getting more comfortable flipping on the trampoline. I did high falls for the first time this year, and have now done more than 500 at around 15ft. I did a good job this year not pressuring myself to be the most rad or do the most badass trick; in fact, most of my tricks are very basic but I have seen tremendous growth in my skills from being humble and consistent. And I want to take this with me in 2023.

Something I could improve on is relying on people in a more vulnerable sense. I have not had any problems asking for what I want and need to get to my career goals. But I am not that good at asking for what I want or need in a personal sense. Specifically, I want to open up and be more vulnerable to my close friends and family. I like that I listen more than I talk and that I edit what I say but I don't want to edit so much that I'm not really saying anything. Or being authentic. I don't want to open up to everyone but I do need to practice trusting people more. This coming year, I want to work on being more okay in discomfort and speaking up for myself the way I would with friends, in professional and personal settings.

Goals for 2023

Personal

- Travel solo. Explore somewhere new alone.

- Invest in myself through Artist Accountability 80% of the year.

- Continue going to therapy 2x/month, yoga 1x/week, and Church 1x/week.

- Joint care 4 days/week, as little as 5 mins per day.

- Practice Spanish and Piano 1 hr a week

- Read 12 books and blog 12 times.

- Compete in BJJ, become a blue belt

Financial

- Make $x from stunts.

- Save $x for a down payment.

- Follow budgeting routine 90% of the time.

Career

- To work for 3 new coordinators.

- Complete a driving job.

- Hired on a weekly.

- Get on a run.

- Train 4-6 days a week

- Say no.

- Learn something new.

Even though it was a difficult month for me, I am feeling ready to move forward and I'm excited to see what this year brings. I hope everyone is feeling at peace with their year and clear on what they want for the new year. I hope everyone is feeling like enough and proud of themselves for all they've done this year. I hope everyone is spending time with people that make them happy and that everyone has some moments of pure joy.

Let's get these good times and gains fam!!

Cheers to 2023!!!