Livin' La Vida Orozco

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Best of 2021

Jessika Orozco

Every year, I take some time to write an end-of-year recap to highlight the year and plan for the year ahead. I love putting together these recaps because I'm a reflective person by nature, and these reviews feel like one long journal entry to me. Read my highlights from 2019 and 2020. 

I must say, 2021 was a much better year than 2020. We got vaccinated, traveled (a lot), got to eat in a restaurant and watch movies in a theater for the first time in a while, and we saw our Neighbor Island and out-of-state family and friends for the first time since 2019. While 2021 was wonderful, it was also dark and emotionally draining.

In June, I lost my Nana, whom I was very close with. Her sudden death shocked us, especially me, because Angel and I had visited with her the day before she died. We bought her her favorite food, pasteles, a Puerto Rican dish similar to Mexican tamales, and we just sat with her, talked stories, and watched her favorite show (Family Feud) until it was time to go.

I remember throwing air kisses to her instead of hugging her because I was trying to protect her from getting sick. I know my choice to keep her healthy and safe was the right thing to do, but I still wish I could go back and hug her one last time.

Her death reminds me of this beautiful line from the Disney+ streaming series WandaVision. Wanda and Vision are having a deep conversation about Wanda's grief when Vision says, "What is grief, but love everlasting?" When I first watched it, I didn't understand the line, but now I know what it means. I love my Nana so much, and not a day goes by when I don't think of her. I miss her kōlohe, toothless smile, her presence, and how she made me feel special and worthy.

But, on the other side of loss, there's love. And this year was filled with it. Keep reading to see my best moments from 2021. 

The Best Moments from 2021

01. I turned 30. This year, I turned 30! I've been waiting for this milestone birthday since the day I watched "13 Going on 30" as a young 13-year-old girl so that I could say the words "30, flirty, and thriving" and actually be 30, flirty, and thriving. 😉

I celebrated my milestone birthday in Disneyland! It was our first Disney trip since 2019, and I felt like I won the lottery when Disney announced they were opening two weeks before my birthday. We always planned on going to California to visit Angel's family during my birthday week, whether the park was open or not. Luckily, it opened just in time for our trip.

Angel's mom also threw me a small birthday party and a surprise wedding reception. It was such a nice day, and I'm so glad I got to celebrate two major milestones with some of our family.

02. We went to Disneyland a lot. At the end of every Disney trip, I post an Instagram story saying bye to Disneyland as we walk out the main gates. At the end of my Disney birthday trip, I said something along the lines of, "Bye, I hope to come back this year, but probably not, so I'll see you next year." Little did I know we'd go back to Disneyland TWO more times before the year ended. We went back to Disneyland in October to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. We had a little staycation at Aulani in November for Angel's birthday, and then we flew up for the weekend in December to see the holiday decorations for the first time.

03. I started a Disney Instagram account, plus partnering with Get Away Today.

Last year, I started @disneywithdaorozcos, a Disney Instagram account to share our Disney adventures, life, and tips, and in less than three months, I grew our account to 650+ Disney friends, and I became an affiliate with our favorite Disney Travel agency, Get Away Today. Now I get to share the Disney magic with you! Save money on your next Disneyland vacation when you use my code SUNDAYMORNING. BOOK NOW!

04. I continued to prioritize my health and wellness. Last year, I made investing in my health and wellness a priority by testing different apps. I’m a longtime fan of Calm, and last year was the first year I bought a premium subscription. I was never a fan of meditation, but Calm’s daily meditations help me quiet my thoughts and focus, especially during turbulent times. Now I meditate almost every morning.

Another app subscription I bought was Apple Fitness+. Out of all the fitness apps I tried, Apple Fitness+ is the best of the best. I love how the trainers focus on what feels good versus results (e.g., weight loss), and I also love how they upload new content every week, so you never have to do the same workout twice (unless you want to). My favorite trainers are Coach LaShawn from dance workouts, Coach Kim from HIIT, and Coach Sam from strength training.

Last year, I openly acknowledged my struggle with my body image. Accepting the parts of me that make me feel self-conscious for years is tough, but I’m happy to report I’m making some progress. This new mindset inspired me to stop approaching health and wellness from a results-only mindset to a do what feels good for my body.

05. I beat my reading goal. Last year, I beat my reading goal by 10 books! My goal was to read 12 books and I read 22. Ever since I got myself a library card, I’ve been borrowing — and reading — books like crazy! This year, my goal is to read 25 books, double my goal from last year. I already have a stack of borrowed books I need to get through, plus there are so many great books on my to be read list. This year is gonna be a great reading year! Follow me on Goodreads for my book reviews and recommendations.

BLOG FUN FACTS

Thank you so much for your continued support over the years. I started blogging in 2013 as a portfolio for my corporate career. It started with sharing my passion for all things beauty and grew into this multi-faceted digital platform. In 2023, I'll be celebrating 10 years of blogging. This year, I have some big blog and social media goals I want to reach, and I can't do it without you.

I'm entering 2022, same as last year, cautious yet hopeful. I'm looking forward to defining who I want to be in this next decade of life, growing The Sunday Morning Blog, and reaching our personal goals.

I am wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

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