2021 has been a WILD year to say the least. I love taking this time, as the calendar year winds down, to reflect on the highs and lows. It helps me unload and measure what went well and what could have gone better. Oftentimes, we think of what’s going “right” and “wrong” in the moment, but it’s important to look at the big picture, and this time of year is always opportune for that.

On that same note, getting my thoughts and goals for the coming year down on paper is important too. We think of these things in our head, but they’ll never come to life if you don’t officially write them down. So here I am, 7 days away from 2022, and I’ve made it a priority to reflect and manifest. I invite you along on my journey, and I encourage you to do the same for yourself as well.

2021 was a year of both tremendous growth and also some serious lows. The easiest way for me to think it through is chronologically. So, with that, I give you…

2021 – a year in review:

January is typically a very busy month in our house, and this year was no different.

We got the kids on skis this year, which has always been a dream of mine, and it was just as good as I had imagined it to be. All of the festivities were quickly turned upside down on January 28, 2021 when Azi (4 years) was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes. That was the day that our lives changed forever.

I plan to do an entire post coming up on the one-year anniversary of his diagnosis. But, in short, it certainly changed every aspect of our lives. My husband and I basically function as our son’s pancreas 24/7, and it’s a very tiring job. Lots of doctors’ appointments and life style changes are still happening, even as I write this in December. There was no choice other than to move forward. So I did.

Azi’s diagnosis really threw me for a loop. It was incredibly hard for me to work or get anything done. I put several brand partnerships on hold, and all I could do was focus on Azi. For a while, I was even sharing his little twin-sized bed with him. I was just so worried about every little change in his blood sugar. I knew that I had to do something.

So in February, I started an Intensive Outpatient Program called Compass Health.

For 40 days, I devoted my days to working on myself, discovering my emotions and learning valuable skills to regulate myself. I got to know myself better than I ever have before. It was truly a life-changing experience, and I am so glad I did it. There are so many stigmas surrounding mental health and mental illness, but it’s so important to do what you need to do in order to be the healthiest version of yourself you can be. This was a monumental part of my year. It changed me both in my personal life and in my professional life.

Shortly before I started Compass, I made a huge structural change in my business.

I hired my first manager to help me get new brand partnerships and negotiate all of my rates for me. Looking back, it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done for my business, and I couldn’t have been so successful this year without her. If you’re an influencer reading this, and you feel stuck in your partnerships; like you’ve stalled in getting collaborations and you’re worried about your growth, look into bringing a manager onto your team. It was absolutely the next step in growing A Glass of Goldwater, and I’m so glad I did it.

Business wise, I worked on some of my largest campaigns yet.

After signing with my manager, I began to gradually see the plateau in my work start to climb. I got to work on a Chanukah campaign with the H for Happy line from Bed, Bath and Beyond. I was so excited to work with such a large brand on a Chanukah campaign. It’s not so often that such a large brand wants to feature any holiday besides Christmas, so I was honored that they asked.

 

Then I started work on a 4-month campaign with the Zella brand from Nordstrom. I was so excited to be brought in with one of my favorite stores and brands ever, and even more excited that Zella is a size-inclusive brand. This partnership will continue into 2022, and it’s been huge for A Glass of Goldwater and for me personally.

This has been my busiest 4th quarter I’ve ever had, and I am so grateful to everyone who has helped me get here. I’m the most grateful to my wonderful followers and community, without whom I would never be able to do what I do.

Growth can’t continue without goals. And both personally and professionally I think it’s important to set goals. And I think it’s even more important to write them down. SO without further adieu…

My 2022 goals:

• Continue to prioritize my health and mental health. Walk more and drink more water.
• Get the kids on skis again. Last year was right before Azi’s T1D diagnosis, so I think he’ll enjoy it even more now that his blood sugar is under control.
• Go on a family vacation.
• Go on a girls’ trip.
• Organize the house, and get rid of all the “stuff”.
• Continue to grow A Glass of Goldwater. 
• Go on more speaking engagements and possibly a Shabbaton or trip.
• Work with more long term partnerships.
• Continue to share plus size fashion and inspire more Jewish brands to make more size-inclusive clothing.

This list is fluid, so this is what I came up with for now. But I know that I can add or subtract as my priorities and values are ever-changing.

Do you set goals for yourself or your business? I’d love to know what they are! Cheers to a happy, and healthy 2022 for all of us! L’Chaim!