a look back at 2022 and a look ahead for 2023

Challenging that is the word I would use to describe the year 2022 for me. For someone who strives for professional success and always looking to grow in my career I’ve been pretty disappointed and set-back this past year. A lot of things were out of my control and I had to roll with the tides that felt like they came daily. However, with adversity comes strength, resilience, learning lessons and the ability to test yourself in what I hope to call a once in a lifetime situation. And for the lessons I’ve learned that is one thing I’m thankful for.

With the challenges came a lot more stress and anxiety than I’ve ever dealt with before, to the point that my mental health has not in been in a good state, hence the reason for me being quiet on my blog this past year. I’ve noticed me secluding myself because of the anxiousness I feel and not wanting to burden loved ones with my problems or talk about them (everyone has things they are going through). When I have gone out to social functions while I’m grateful to have those moments with friends and family I’ve left always questioning myself, am I a good enough friend, daughter, sister, aunt… I’m sharing this because I have to, it’s so important for people to understand that everyone is going through difficult things but what’s more important is to know you’re not alone and it will get better. I can say that with therapy it’s been a great way for me to get the help I need. And while it hasn’t been easy at times I can say the high tides will eventually stop and it will turn back to a peaceful day.

I’ve mentioned this in other end of year posts where I don’t necessarily make resolutions at the end of the year, but I will do more of a “re-set” with intentions and goals for the year ahead knowing I will most likely adjust them because you change, the footprint around you changes and that’s ok.

Looking ahead to 2023 I want to get back to doing things for me. While I will always be very career driven (it’s who I’ve always been) I’ve learned and am starting to accept that you have to look out for you. I’m hoping that I can re-focus my time and efforts on what is good, what is right and what will make me a better version of myself. With all of that, I’d like to sprinkle in some more adventures, trips and just enjoying the present moment.

This post has been pretty depressing and that’s not what I’ve ever wanted my site to be about, but I have always kept it real on here and sometimes it’s not always going to be butterflies and sunshine. BUT I will always try my best to find the positive in any situation and with that there were some bright spots throughout this year that meant more to me than some of you will ever really know and I’d like to end the year with those.

Dinner at the Plating Society with Chef Darian and my friends who I met through YPOP. They have been some of the best friends and support system I’ve had this year.

My trip to Utah with my sister this summer. It was a trip filled with adventure, the outdoors and nature, laughs and love. (National Park Service)

My family trip to Ocean City, Maryland. It was a trip with unexpected turns but the memories and time spent together is something I will always be grateful for.

Meeting and building some great friendships and relationships with people in the community. A big shout out to Nick and Brian from The Bakers Men Buffalo and to Kristen from Meet & Eat Charcuterie for introducing us to each other in 2021. Working with Angelica at Event Lab Buffalo has been a pleasure. Jodi from Curate Buffalo and the introductions she’s made for me with Chef MaryRuth Rera, Julie Blackman at Farmers and Artisans and Blackman Homstead Farm. Buffalo Olmsted Parks for letting me help with their Gala. These are some of the people who have reminded me how fun it is to work and collaborate with people in our community.

A quick trip to NYC a few weeks ago with my Dad and niece. It was my niece’s first time in the city. We did a lot of tourist things and caught up with my friend Lacey and got to see the Phantom of the Opera before is closes in the spring.

Going back to the Sterling Renaissance Festival with the family this summer. It’s been a number of years since we’ve been and how things have changed but stayed the same. It was a fun time with lots of great family memories.

Experiencing the Buffalo Zoo Catillion this summer with friends. It was a new event experience for the Zoo and I was happy to celebrate it with the YPOP gals.

Celebrating my brother’s 40th birthday with his friends and our family this summer.

Sprinkled in to all these bright spots were other bright moments that were equally as important and memorable to me. Whatever it is that you have set out for yourself in the year ahead I hope it’s filled with laughter, love, kindness and patience.

xo

Beth

A Trip Out West

It’s crazy to think the last blog post I have on here is from March of this year. Life has been crazy and I haven’t had the time I’ve wanted to spend on my blog or sharing content. But today, I’m back and I’m sharing a special trip I took with my sister, Amber, back in August. It was our first sister trip and our first time going to a National Park. I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors and being in nature and since Covid I find the time I enjoy the most is when I’m outside and not being connected to technology.

Upper Emerald Pools Trail

Amber and I flew into Vegas and took the short drive to Utah and spent a majority of our trip in Springdale, where Zion National Park is. We did do a day trip to Bryce Canyon National Park which was cool to experience. The two parks are so opposite of each other. We were there for 4 1/2 days excluding travel days and I think if we had another day we could have fit in at least one more National Park but there’s always next time.

While we both went in with expectations of the park being overcrowded to our surprise it wasn’t that bad. We went the last week of August heading into Labor Day weekend and what we had on our side was the extreme heat, and going in the middle of the week. We woke early and were on the trails by 7am, 7:30am the latest and by the time we finished hiking the trails we wanted for the day we saw more people heading into the parks. We spent the mid afternoons by the pool relaxing and soaking up the sun and exploring the shops in the small towns.

It’s hard to say which trail was my favorite because each one offered a different challenge, a different experience and different views, all of which were beautiful. Bryce Canyon was a very cool experience but definitely more challenging for me. While there was descent on the trails there was also ascent and the drop offs at some points definitely challenged my fear of heights but it was so worth it in the end to say I accomplished that.

Amber and I at Bryce Canyon National Park

Before we even left to come home I was already telling Amber I wanted to start planning our next trip. I never thought I would have enjoyed Utah as much as I did, to be quite honest I never even had Utah on my list of places to go until I started researching National Parks to visit. It’s funny how life can surprise you with things you don’t necessarily plan for yourself.

Until next time.

-B

Zion National Park - Trails we hiked:

• Emerald Pool Trails -

  • Lower

  • Middle

  • Upper

• Watchman Trail

• The Grotto Trail

• The Narrows - we started this trail late morning after completing a different trail. It was a great experience but we only hiked 3-4 miles out of the 9.4.

Bryce Canyon National Park - Trails we hiked:

• Sunrise Point

• Sunset Point

• Inspiration Point

• Queen Trail