Looking back on the blog: 2022

So, back to the blog. I wrote 55 posts in 2022, a few more than 2021, but still fewer than 2020. There is still food for thought, but as I joked to a fellow blogger the other day, I am not afraid of repetition! But as I review my blogs from the year, as usual I see some themes:

I began the year thinking about needing a bigger support network, and talked about community and support at different times through the year. It's still an issue for me.

I need a bigger support network
A wealth of community wisdom
Community and Support Groups

I had a few lonely moments, moments of regret that were worth mentioning, if only to let others know they were not alone:

When we're the only ones to remember
Bread and Childlessness
Pros and Cons of a Childless Easter
The Day that is Not For Us 
Christmases Future
Just the Two of Us

I posted on perspective, and noted that wanting something we couldn't have needed to be left, so we could make way for something new:

Yearning on a shelf 
Route to Madness 
Finding Common Ground 
Pathways, not Barriers

I think my favourite piece this year was the post My No Kidding Rules for Conversation. It gives me permission to take a full part in conversations, and to ask for change.

As I noted last year, in reviewing previous posts, it always strikes me how important it is to reread posts after all the comments, because they add so much to the conversation, to our collective wisdom, and to our sense of community. I am so glad you are all part of No Kidding in NZ.

Finally, in going through my 2022 posts, I noticed that in January last year I recounted a conversation with my BIL about his daughter (from his first marriage) who was throwing away the contraception and would just "see what happens." I asked him to make sure she sought help if she had no success, being in her late 30s. There's a wedding planned for this year, if I recall, but so far, no baby, or - as far as I am aware - no pregnancy. I'm sad for her, and wonder if my advice was ever passed on. I must ask my sister.

Which brings me to the fact that the first week of January is blog delurking week. So, do leave a quick hello in the comments (I’m fine with anonymous comments if you’re shy) or send a quick email to me at nokiddinginnz at gmail dot com. I'd love to know who is reading here.

I wish you all a safe and happy 2023!

 This is an annual nod to Mel, who used to run the Crème de la Crème, where we would list our favourite post of the year. It always provided inspiring reading. So even though it doesn’t happen officially now, I hope that you too will list your favourite posts from your own blogs, on your blogs, for us to enjoy again (or for the first time).

Reviewing the year: Creme de la Creme

I finally decided to sit down and have a look at my 2014 posts, to decide which one I'd like to submit to Mel's Creme de la Creme as the post that has "words that have moved another person or ideas that have kicked off a series of musings." A best post, in effect. I hope you're all doing the same - I can't wait to see your contributions to the Creme de la Creme.

I decided to be systematic about it, so drew up a Long List. (Yes, I'll never win the Man Booker Prize, or even be on its Long List, but I can pretend!)  As I drew up my list, it surprised me how quickly the year had gone, and how prolific I had been at the beginning of the year. I knew immediately when I cam to the post that would be my Creme de la Creme submission. Perhaps you will know too. Or maybe you can guess?

But for what it's worth, I thought I'd list my Long List, starting with the oldest posts first:

Thanking No Kidding Women  A response to an article thanking us, and the letter I wished had been written to us.
Why we should support the childfree-by-choice  What we have in common with the childfree
Is society really baby-obsessed?  A response to a question, and my thoughts on why this is bad for all women
Those Throwaway Comments  A discussion I heard about an article commenting on whether people with children are happier than people without children led to some throwaway comments, and my thoughts about them.
People without children don't miss anything  I emailed the radio station, received a response that only fanned the (my) flames, and responded in kind.
You can't please all the people all the time  Blogging, insensitive comments, and being thankful. It might surprise you.
Infertility's Waiting Room   My thoughts on being "in the trenches" of infertility, and moving on.
Things I wish I'd been told about the Big M  The title speaks for itself.
The injustice of being a woman   Raging against our biology
Friendship 101   Thoughts on friendship when one party is suffering from infertility.
Gifts of Infertility: A Series - #1 - We are not alone   Infertility feels very lonely. But thanks to technology none of us need go through this alone.
Saying "goodbye" to our dreams   Learning to let go to what we can't have. 
The F Word   Thoughts on the concept of failure, and what it really means. 

The Best of the Adoption/Loss/Infertility Blogs of 2014