A Year of Discontent

I don’t know about you but it has been a funny year for us. (funny peculiar not funny haha).?

We have moved from the countryside to the seaside, number one son has packed up and gone to university, darling daughter has started college in our new town, and the children are needing us less and less which is leaving a huge hole in our time and hearts...

To be honest, this year has had less clarity and purpose than ever before. It has completely confirmed that without the north star of doing things for my children it can be hard staying on the path.?

But, just like we do every year, Matthew and I are planning the next year out purposely. The first thing we do is answer these questions to help us get clarity on the next 12 months.?I am hoping this year that we get our mojo back and start to enjoy the freedom of not having the children relying on us so much... ?

I am sharing these 89 Questions to help you have the best 2022 ever possible.

Clarity on your situation can take away so much fear. By understanding where you are in life and what kind of life you want, you can create freedom. Most people create lists to work their way through. These lists tend to be about jobs that need completing at work, at home, for the children, for your friends.

How often do you create lists for you? How often do you plan for YOUR future in a way that enables you to feel fulfilled and happy, rather than just existing?

If you feel in any way that you want a better or different life to the one you have now, I can guarantee this process will help you get clarity on how to change your situation.

“Just living isn't enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." -Hans Christian Anderson”

Your wellbeing focuses on your health and happiness. Without being “well” you cannot achieve what you want to achieve in life. This section will help you get clear on how to bring more joy into your life and who you should spend more time with.

• Which people would you like to reconnect with that you have lost contact with?
• Which people do you admire?
• Which people in your life motivate you??
• Which people in your life keep you grounded?
• Who is the one person you would like to know better in 2021?
• Who is your favourite someone? (Describe the person who makes your life special, if you don't have someone, then write out the characteristics that a special someone might have).
• Which things do you treasure most in life?
• Which things do you feel lost without?
• What is something you wish someone had told you when you were younger?
• What valuable lessons from your childhood have sustained you through life?
• What is the best advice you have ever been given?

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent”

Victor Hugo

• What music relaxes you?
• What music energizes you?
• What music brings back good memories?

“No road is long with good company.”

Turkish Proverb

• What times could you listen more closely?
• Who do you miss that you want to reconnect with?
• Who do you wish you could go back and say sorry to?
• Who are you ready to forgive?

“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.”

Henry Ward Beecher

• Today you are grateful for…
• People you are grateful for (and why)...
• Things you have done for other people without them knowing…
• Things you could do to express gratitude to others…

“We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.”

Joseph Campbell

Whilst we should not run from our current situations, planning an escape and giving yourself space will give you a chance to reflect on your life and appreciate what makes you and it special.

What are your answers to these questions:

• What are your favourite places to escape to and make time for yourself?
• What would you do if you were brave enough?
• What challenges are you ready to face ?
• What would you do if you could grab a spare hour?
• What would you do if you had a spare afternoon to yourself?
• What would you do if you had a spare day to yourself?
• What would you do if you had a spare week to yourself?
• What would you do if you had no responsibilities whatsoever and could pick up and change your life in an instant?
• Describe your best day: How would you wake up, what would you eat, who would you see, what would you do, what time would you go to bed, where would you spend your day?
• What activities do you like to partake in?
• What activities would you like to try?
• What local places would you like to explore?
• What places in your country would you like to explore?
• Where in the world would you like to explore? (Countries, cities, experiences)

“A house is made of bricks and beams. A home is made of hopes and dreams.”

Author unknown

• Where have you lived in your life?
• What places would you like to live some day?
• What jobs do you need to complete at home in the next 30 days?
• What could you complete in the next 6 months?
• Describe your dream home - top to bottom, inside out, what are the essentials for your dream home?
• What do you need to declutter?
• What do you need to give to charity, send to storage, recycle, bin?
• What are you holding on to, and why?

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”

Virginia Woolf

• What healthy eating habits do you currently have?
• What healthy eating habits would you like to adopt?
• What nutrition could you learn more about to help you make better choices?
• What are your favourite foods?
• What are your favourite recipes?
• What foods should you eat more of?
• What foods should you eat less of?

No one can ever take your memories from you - each day is a new beginning, make good memories every day.

Catherine Pulsifer

• What has been your proudest moment to date?
• What has been your funniest moment?
• What has been your most embarrassing moment?
• What would you like to learn?
• What are you good at?
• What would you like to improve on?
• What books do you love?
• What books are on your wishlist?
• If you could write your own book what would you write about?

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason so few engage in it. Henry Ford,

• What makes you feel calm?
• If you had an ideal job/business what would it be?
• If you didn’t have to work, what would you do?
• What jobs have you found most rewarding?
• If you could only do one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

“There are times when we stop, we sit still. We listen and breezes from a whole other world begin to whisper.”

James Carroll

• What are the things that cause you stress?
• What does stress feel like to you?
• What strategies could you implement to cope with stress?
• How does watching other people on social media make you feel?
• How can you change your online habits to change your emotions?

“Love yourself enough to set boundaries. Your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it. You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won’t accept.”

Anna Taylor

• What are times when you should say no?
• What are times when you should say yes?
• List ways in which you treat yourself well:
• List ways in which you treat others well:
• List ways in which you treat yourself badly:
• List ways in which you treat others badly:
• What from the above would you like to change?

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

C.S. Lewis

• What are your dreams?
• What can you do to make them happen?
• What inspires you?
• What places would you like to photograph?
• What people would you like to capture on film?
• What words would you like to use more often?
• What actions would you like to take more often?
• How do you want the world to look in the future?
• What can you do today to make your tomorrow better?
• How can you give your life more oompf?

“It's better to burn out than to fade away.”

Neil Young

The above questions can be answered in one sitting or over a number of days, weeks and months. Revisit them. Understand the answers with your mind, but remember to feel the emotion behind your words. All too often I see people focus on things that keep them functioning but not living.

I leave you with this one final thought -

Anyone who has ever flown on an aeroplane has heard these words: “Should a drop in cabin pressure occur, put your own mask on first.” Yes, in order to help others, you must take care of yourself first.

I wish you all the best for 2022. With much love - Amanda C. Watts -

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