New year, new blog post reflecting on how far we've come this year. And boy oh boy what a year we've had! 2021 was definitely the year for growth at Urban Southern. With new products, new customers, and LOTS of new faces around here; things are looking quite a bit different then last year!
We have had such an extraordinary year, and that's all thanks to YOU! All the love and support that all our supporters have shown us, has made 2021 a year to remember. We're so excited for what 2022 holds for us, and we can't wait to share it with you. It's going to be a BIG year!
So in honor of keeping the reflections & intentions tradition going, we're sitting down with our lovely store manager and social media director Bethany Fisher, to reflect on what she's learned about herself this year.
Hi, Bethany! In just a few words how would you describe your journey with Urban Southern from January to now?
This year has been the year of stepping out of my comfort zone. Both in my personal life, as well as in my career, and Urban has been a huge step out of that zone for me.
It's been an amazing, and honestly sometimes slightly scary experience. But I'm so grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow as I try and navigate through this next year, and I'm so excited to see what 2022 has in store for the company.
So if I have to narrow it down to a few words I guess I'd say, exciting, slightly scary, and buh bye comfort zone!
What is something you accomplished this year that you’re proud of?
Probably, launching the Urban Bucket Bag on time despite all the trials. A week and a half before launch day, I got Covid, and was severely sick. I wasn't sure how the launch was going to go, or if it was even going to happen, with me being so weak, and on IV treatments all day.
But thankfully I had a great doctor, lots of praying friends and an absolutely amazing team at Urban that helped in every way they could. We managed to pull it off and the Bucket Bag has been a huge success!
What is the most important thing you learned about yourself this year?
That I am capable of more then I know, and that when I am placed in certain situations where I'm a little unsure, I actually have the capability to figure it out.
If you could go back and do one thing differently in 2021, what would it be?
To make more time to do what makes my heart happy. Sometimes I get so focused on accomplishing something at work, or being super involved in other people's lives that I forget to give myself a little time to do something that brings me joy.
Eventually that leads to a burnout, which could have totally been avoided if I just took a little time for myself. So if I could go back, I'd take more time to do something fun, or be creative.
What was something you did or tried for the first time in 2021?
I got the opportunity to photograph a surprise proposal! Photography is one of my hobbies and a great way for me to be creative. Most of the time there's a pretty pony in front of my camera, but sometimes I'll break out the skills for a non horsey situation.
This past spring I got the chance to capture a friends proposal, which was so much fun; and let me tell you, it was quite the show. The future groom and I showed up in a firetruck and shut down traffic on the Wrightsville Bridge! After he got down on one knee and the ring was on her finger the truck then drove us to a park where all her friends and family were waiting to congratulate her with a party. It was a very special day, and I feel so honored that I got to take part in it.
What is something that happened in 2021 that you never expected?
Well, I never expected to get a third dog. I already had two huge Bernese Mtn dogs, but in the beginning of the year I got the chance to adopt a third one, and I just couldn't turn her down!
Bailey has fit right into the family and we couldn't imagine life without her.
What is your favorite memory from this year?
Such a tough question! We had a litter of puppies this spring, that I was ridiculously obsessed with. I basically spent those eight weeks constantly cuddling a puppy.
Their momma Bailey's nickname is "Alfalfa" because she's got this cowlick on the top of her head that stands straight up. So of course we named the pups after the Little Rascals movie!
2022 Intentions
What is something you want to do or try for the first time in 2022?
I would love to try Mounted Archery! I've wanted to try it out for a few years, but haven't gone for it. So maybe this year I'll try and take at least one lesson, just to experience it.
What is something you want to do less of in 2022?
If I'm honest, probably less Netflix. I feel like its so easy to just turn on the tv and zone out, which is fine in small amounts. But sometimes I feel like I am wasting time that would be more beneficial in reading, learning something new or some type of activity.
What is something you’d like to get better at in 2022?
Reels. I recently started making reels on Urban's instagram with fun little behind the scenes stuff, which has been a bit interesting. I never realized until making those how shaky my hands are when I film things! So I'd love to get better at that, as well as get more creative with them and have them come out a little more fine tuned.
Alright friends, now it's your turn to reflect on your own journey this year and where you want to go in the new one! For easy copy & pasting, here are the questions we used:
Your 2021 Reflections
- In just a few words, how would you describe your journey from January to now?
- What is something you accomplished this year that you’re proud of?
- What is the most important thing you learned about yourself this year?
- If you could do one thing differently about 2021, what would it be?
- What was something you did or tried for the first time in 2021?
- What is something that happened in 2021 that you never expected?
- What is your favorite memory from this year?
Your 2022 Goals
- What is something you want to do or try for the first time in 2022?
- What is something you want to do less of in 2022?
- What is something you’d like to get better at in 2022?
Do you have a special tradition for welcoming a new year? Tell us about it in the comments!