Relishments

Savoring life in the Berkshires

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • About
    • Start Here
    • Relishments Around the Web
    • Flexitarianism
      • Cookbooks
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Reviews
  • The Berkshires
    • Boothbay, Midcoast Maine and More
    • Adventures in Other Places
  • Contact
    • Sponsor

A Look Back on My 2016 Word: Connect

Published on December 31, 2016 By Emily. Updated on December 31, 2016

12 months ago, I designated connect as my focus word for 2016.  Every year when I sit down to write my end of year reflections, it always seems like January was a million years ago; as though I barely know the person who choose the word to begin with.

connect-2016-graphic.jpg

This feeling is especially true this year.  In the past two months since my daughter was born, it seems like everything has changed.  Life is wonderful, but already my focus and priorities are so different.  Not a bad thing by any means, but reflecting on such a life changing year is definitely a challenge.  A year ago, I certainly didn’t expect to have a baby within the upcoming 12 months.  But here we are!

There’s a lot of talk about how 2016 was the worst year ever.  And while I agree that on a macro level that’s true in many ways, on a personal level I think 2016 was a really good year and that’s not just limited to my new addition.  I choose connect with the goal of having a year that was “less about me and more about other people”.  Though I feel like this became less true as I got closer to delivery and then had my baby, in other ways the year was all about connecting with her.  If becoming a parent didn’t force me to become less selfish, I don’t know what will.

reflections on the areas I listed in January

I wanted to connect…

  • more often with my husband – I think this was a really great year for Brian and I.  We came to rely on each other more, shared more about ourselves than ever before and made the most of the months before the baby arrived.  We’ve been able to spend time with family over the past couple of months and our parents have been awesome about making sure we have time to ourselves.
  • with friends, near and far – I feel like I spent most of 2016 in insolation, either because I was too tired and pregnant or spending time with a newborn.  Still, joining the ranks of motherhood has created a new connection between myself and many of my friends and I’ve been really impressed with the ways people stepped up to support us in the early days.
  • once again with members of healthy living blogger community – I am still not as connected with the blogging community as I would like to be, but this can largely be attributed to a lack of effort of my part.  Blogging and community building were just not a focus of the year.
  • even more with the Berkshire food community – For most of the year, I didn’t feel like this was successful, largely due to the reasons above. However, about a month ago I became an ambassador for Berkshire Family Focus, so I’m hoping more local networking and projects are in the future for 2017.
  • back to the process of cooking – 2016 was probably my worst year in cooking since starting this blog in 2008.  After 2 solid months of barely being in the kitchen at all, I’m definitely feeling the itch to get back to cooking.  I even planned my first menu since October this week!
  • with my family – Nothing quite connects you to family like the announcement of a pregnancy.  We were able to visit with my parents and sister in April and June, as well as see them when I was in the hospital for delivery, another visit in early December and spending Christmas with them.  Brian’s parents visited in July and came to help over Thanksgiving weekend.  Extended family took a back burner in 2016 (though we did briefly connect with some of the aunts, uncles and cousins on both sides), but it looks like that will change in 2017.
  • to my faith – One of my favorite God moments of 2016 was a change in my church’s women’s ministry, which I help to organize.  We changed the name of the group to “Connect”.  This “coincidence” made it clear to me that my focus word really was what I was supposed to be working on, especially in my faith.  This year the ministry worked hard to better connect the women in our church and it was such a blessing to be part of it.
  • to nature – I did a lot of walking outdoors in 2016, (including walking – instead of running – my first 5k), but being pregnant definitely reduced my desire for hiking and the like
  • to the way my body works – Originally, this point was supposed to be about fitness, which almost completely fell by the wayside this year.  But I did learn a lot in the process of getting and being pregnant, delivering and recovering.  I am still in awe of the fact that I did any of it.  The human body is an amazing, amazing thing.
  • with myself – I would say that I did an okay job of checking in with myself and being quiet, but there’s always room for improvement.  It was, however, the year I started journaling again.  It’s been hard to keep up with it since Baby E was born, but I intend to get back to it soon.

I’m really pleased with my efforts to connect in 2016 and the way that the year went.  Stay tuned for 2017’s word!

Related Posts

Savoring 2017
Goals in Progress: March (+ April Food Day!)
Investing in 2014
Goals in Progress: May
Did you enjoy this post? Share it!

Filed Under: life Tagged With: connect2016, goals

« Eating Healthy on a Budget {Guest Post}
Savoring 2017 »

Welcome!

photo of EmilyWelcome to Relishments! Follow along with my adventures in cooking and eating in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.

The Berkshires
Recipe Index
CSA Menu Plan
First Time?
 

Support Relishments on Patreon

Just so you know…

I’m just a girl who loves to cook and eat. This site is not a source for nutritional information.

Relishments is affiliated with various sponsors. Some product links on this site are affiliates; I may get portion of the sale. All opinions on this site are honest, regardless of revenue opportunities. Find out more about my policies here

relishments

Emily
Despite the cool temperatures and wet weather, we Despite the cool temperatures and wet weather, we had another fantastic year at @freshgrassfestival. I can never get over how, in addition to all the incredible music, the event features a great venue (@massmoca), delicious food from mostly local vendors, a great local beer tent and bar stocked with @berkshiremtdist and a kid-friendly atmosphere including a @kidspacemm art tent.
Shout-out to some of my favorite acts of the day @ajleebluesummit, @cj_field with @gregcaproni and @theblacklegacyproject.

Looking forward to next year!
.
.
.
#WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #FreshGrass #FreshGrassFestival #bluegrass #MassMoCA
I am literally weeks behind in my work life and my I am literally weeks behind in my work life and my blog posts, but I just hit publish on my end of August/beginning of September meal plans! Some blogging progress is better than none! Click the link below or visit my profile to see how we used these 2 CSA pick ups from @mightyfoodfarm.
.
.
.
https://www.relishments.com/blog/august-slipped-away-csa-meal-plan-153/
.
.
.
#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
It's always a beautiful day at the @coastalmainebo It's always a beautiful day at the @coastalmainebotanicalgardens.
.
.
.
#Maine #CoastalMaineBotanticalGardens #Boothbay
We made our annual trip to @thebistrobox in Great We made our annual trip to @thebistrobox in Great Barrington today, bringing along our 6 year old for the first time. 
Pictured: onion rings, pressed Cubano, BOX burger, raspberry mint iced tea/ (huge) side of fries, grilled hot dog, strawberry lemonade. Everything was delicious and my daughter especially enjoyed trying out the lawn games.
Until next year!
.
.
.
#igers413_food
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #GreatBarrington #TheBistroBox
New on the blog: a list of everything I made for d New on the blog: a list of everything I made for dinner this week. A double @mightyfoodfarm CSA pick up plus hosting my in-laws for dinner resulted in me actually planning quality meals.
.
Get the recipe links at https://www.relishments.com/blog/twice-as-good-csa-meal-plan-152/ or click the link in my profile.
.
#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
I had the opportunity to visit the Bridge of Flowe I had the opportunity to visit the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls this morning. It was as beautiful as I remembered and a great morning for hanging out with some friends.
.
.
.
#igers413 #ShelbourneFalls #BridgeOfFlowers #WesternMass #WesternMA
Brian and I finally made it to @ the week before w Brian and I finally made it to @ the week before we went on vacation. I loved the atmosphere, decor, location and, of course, the beer. All eight beers we tasted were delicious and I'm looking forward to going back soon. 
More thoughts on the blog at the link in my profile or at https://www.relishments.com/blog/hot-plate-brewing-in-pittsfield/
.
.
.
#PittsfieldMA #MassachusettsBrewery #igers413_food #igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #DrinkLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires
I made my first ever trip to @seconddropfarm in La I made my first ever trip to @seconddropfarm in Lanesborough this morning to pick blueberries with my daughter. We had a lovely time at the farm, and especially enjoyed the short walk to the lush blueberry bushes, and the beautiful flower and lavender fields. We didn't participate in pick-your-own flowers today, but it's definitely on my radar for the future.
We are looking forward to some muffin baking soon! 🫐
.
.
.
#igers413_food
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #LanesboroughMA #SecondDropFarm #PickYourOwnBlueberries
It's good to be home, but we had a great time with It's good to be home, but we had a great time with Brian's side of the family in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina last week.
.
.
.
#WrightsvilleBeach #NorthCarolina #WilmingtonNC
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in