G’day friends and welcome to another week and another blog!
Well the year is very quickly coming to an end. I didn’t even realise that it is Boxing Day next Sunday and then the week after that it is January! So in saying that this will be the last post of the year, because lets face it no one will be reading a blog on Boxing Day.
So, because it is the last post of the year, I thought it would be wise to reflect on the year that was 2021.
2021: The year of growth.
Reflecting on this year I think the first word that comes to mind is Growth. I know I think everyone of us uses this word when it comes to reflecting on the year past, but it is the truth.
After 2020, I hoped that 2021 would be the year that I would progress and hit some milestones. And boy I wasn’t disappointed!
I made a promise to myself that in 2021 I would start taking risks. So I did.
In February I booked 3 nights away at an apartment in town and had my first solo holiday. This particular vacay taught me so much about myself which I did not expect. That holiday I got busy figuring out who I was and decided to start doing a few more things for me. It was the first time I was actually alone for longer than 24 hours and it showed me that I am capable to being independent with help of some modifications!
I also signed up for horse riding lessons which I reckon freaked out my family. It was a bucket list item and after that first ride I was in tears. I was grateful and excited to explore the freedom riding gives me more! Being disabled it is easy to think that you are limited, but that first day in the saddle showed me I could do something that years ago I thought was not possible. https://livingabled.com.au/crushing-self-doubt-my-horse-riding-journey/
I signed up and completed my first 5km fundraiser raising money for MD Australia. That challenge reignited the competitive side of me, and I fell in love with having a physical challenge. It pushed me in ways I have never pushed myself before, and it has made me have a different relationship with my body and my disability that I didn’t expect. https://livingabled.com.au/run-for-strength-my-insane-journey-to-5km/
I graduated from my Law Degree which I have been picking away at since 2017. It was a long time coming for sure! However, the graduation ceremony I had the biggest revelation. I decided to use my scooter to go and receive my testamur instead of walking like I originally planned. That decision for me was almost the finish line of really accepting my condition and being ok with needing to use my scooter. You can read more about grad here https://livingabled.com.au/graduation-life-and-realisations/
And how could I forget recording an Episode of the Listenable Podcast with the incredible Dylan Alcott and Angus! That kicked off the year in an incredible fashion. It was absolutely a dream come true to not only have a conversation with Dylan but also to share my story with so many people. I think that day I will remember for ever. I even made some incredible new friends from that podcast episode. If you haven’t listened to it, then go check out the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or virtually any place you get your podcasts, or even click on this link https://chartable.com/podcasts/listenable/episodes/82291125-32-rhiannon-anderson or if you want to see my ugly mug you can check it out on Youtube! Hopefully I will have the chance to do more podcast episodes in the future.
The other things worth noting was being accepted into the honours degree of Law, my blog turning 1 years old, enrolling in a animal behaviour programme and starting my life coaching course. Not to mention 4 days in a Tony Robbins seminar and breaking a wood board! I mean I think the board break is the highlight alone!
This year was all about expanding the horrizons and to be able to do that with grace and to leave a job that no longer was the right fit for me and to really start a journey to self-love and acceptance really made this year incredible.
Because of this blog, I made friends from abroad, and other states in Australia. These friends will stay with me forever because we have one thing in common. The ability to embrace, and live our disabled lives to the fullest.
What is in store for 2022?
Next year there is so much in the pipeline that hopefully will come to fruition!
I hope that the new year brings even more growth and opportunities to inspire, help and raise awareness of disability living.
I have absolutely loved sharing my journey with you all this year. Even though this is a tiny community we have at Living Abled, every read counts and I thank you all for following and reading this blog. I honestly would not have started this had it not been for my psychologist and my family encouraging me to pursue writing.
You are all my motivators and have all inspired me to keep bush the boundaries of what should be possible living with a disability. I hope to continue that in the new year!
Perhaps more riding, studying, advocating is on the cards for 2022?? We will see.
I hope that I have given you all a sense of encouragement and education this year and I can’t wait to see what the new year has in stall for us. I think we can all say we are hoping for a bit more stability. I am hoping for a lot more hilarious ventures, good reads and a lesson or two.
This year – and hopefully – has taught me how to really take life by the horns again and to show people that in most cases you don’t choose to be disabled, but you can choose what you do with it.
Happy holidays my friends and I will see you next year!!!
-Rhi
Xo.