Liz Cultivates | L.M. Fern

At the end of each year, I put up one of these posts. I usually try to stay upbeat, looking forward, excited for what the new year will bring. Last year, I wrote about my garden. The year before that, I wrote about my long, long, long 2021. A few years before that, I wrote about my adventures in the kitchen and about big changes on the horizon. Not all of those changes were positive ones, but they have all resolved into the building blocks of my life.

I don’t necessarily like to make “resolutions” — I find it more helpful, personally, to think about small changes I’d like to make in order to improve my life, and the new year is a convenient time to reflect on those kinds of improvements. This year was no different. I wanted to have a bigger garden, continue working on my own mental growth, and start writing more regularly. I’m happy to say that I accomplished all of those things.

The gardening has been something that I have steadily put more focus on, after my initial foray into porch peppers in 2020. Now, I have two medium-sized plots on the property that I have been rotating summer vegetables through, with plans to expand the backyard plot next year as well. I’m happy with my growing skills. Even when, this summer, I discovered that I had chosen plant location poorly and my hot peppers weren’t doing as well as they should have as a result, it felt fine — it’s all a learning experience.

I started going to therapy this year. It’s great and I recommend it to everyone. I might accidentally be becoming a “my therapist says…” person, but I’m going to try not to let that impulse take over all my conversations!

Then, in November, I wrote 50,000 words and added to the novel that has been steadily gathering dust on my hard drive. I brushed off the dust, took several antihistamines, and set to scrubbing it right. And it’s given me a refreshed look at writing — not only the novel, but this blog, too, and any freelance work that might be on the horizon.

This year has been a lot. I went home to West Virginia more times than I have in years and spent priceless time with family. I went to Chicago, Las Vegas, and Dayton for conferences. I did two rounds of pet-sitting, each a week long, for my best friend’s beautiful babies. I published a book. I started a skincare routine.

The lessons I learned this year, and the experiences I had, were just that: learning experiences. Opportunities to grow. The blog is Liz Cultivates now, not because I am growing things, but because I am growing myself. A life is just a succession of events — it’s we who give those events meaning.

Next year, I want more of the same. More travel, more learning, more experiences, more meaning. Bigger garden, more books, more dreams, maybe a better sleep schedule. Next year is the year of creating and adventure.

I’m ready to have more experiences and find more meaning in 2024!