Reflections on 2021: A year to remember and forget
I’m sitting here with just hours left in 2021 thinking about a wide range of topics. Each year, I hope that I can sit down and reflect in this space. There is plenty to say, but first and foremost, it must be communicated to all of you out there…
THANK YOU.
In one way or another, I’ve been supported by so many folks in this year. Buying pots. Checking in on my well-being. Offering a kind word or lending a hand in this period of massive transition for myself, my family, and our world.
2021 was the hardest year of my life. Amidst the backdrop of a global pandemic, I left a stellar job that had given myself and my family more than I could ever hope for. At least in the traditional sense.
I found that my entire life was wrapped up in the identity of my work. I craved more while also feeling an immensely overwhelming sense of gratitude and, if I’m being honest, having more than I could ever need. The last 18 months has seen an incredible outpouring of suffering in our world. The news is overwhelming. Our planet is crying out. And here I was, both overwhelming satisfied, yet wanting so much more. This paragraph screams of the privilege that I’ve enjoyed over the last decade. I want to recognize that.
At the outset of the year, I made the very difficult decision to leave my job. I was hell-bent on pursuing my dreams and also freeing myself of corporate dependency. My wife and I had a vision to be a larger part of our community, to be known in our town, our faith family, and feel a larger sense of accountability to those around us.
2021 has delivered more ups and downs than I could possibly relay here. I sold more pots from the studio than I could have dreamed for the first full year of business. My work can be found in homes across the country, in local restaurants, with our friends, and with folks we’ve never seen before. I am immensely grateful for that. By today’s final count, we’ve sold just over $31,000 in pots for the year. A wild number as far as I’m concerned. I am overwhelmed by that figure.
2021 has taught me how to sell. Something this introvert that’s been behind a keyboard for a decade didn’t know how to do. With the constant encouragement and nurturing of my wife, Bre, I’ve put myself out there more than I ever thought was possible. I have a lot of growth still to go in this area, but I’m feeling more confident.
2021 also delivered an immense amount of grief. I lost two grandparents. My favorite uncle who married Bre and I. We also lost another year to the pandemic. We’ve been very cautious and I’m thankful for a spouse who has been on the same page throughout. We’ve been healthy, and for that, I am thankful. We’ve missed out on countless family and community events, choosing to stay home instead. We lost out on Christmas. But my daughter has been able to safely attend Montessori school without any issues, for which I am extremely thankful for.
2021 has been hard. It’s been great. It’s been long. I’ve laughed. I’ve cried. Rejoiced. And thought I’ve made some of the biggest mistakes of my life. And yet, we made it to the other side.
If you’re still reading, I’ll say thank you again. I’m so looking forward to the year ahead. There will be new work on the way from the studio. Which will hopefully more accurately convey where I hope to be going. I think I’ve found a voice inside that I didn’t know I had. It’s just nurturing that voice along and helping it to find it’s way in the year ahead.
Wishing you all peace and happiness.
-Trevor