As we approach the end of 2022, I’ve found myself reflecting on the past year and all that it’s brought. It’s been a challenging year in many ways, and one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been juggling my full-time teaching job with my passion for blogging and writing.
When I started my blog, “Embrace Our Calling,” I knew it was something I was deeply interested in and wanted to pursue, but I didn’t realize just how much time and effort it would take to maintain it alongside my other responsibilities. There have been times when I’ve struggled to find the balance and have felt overwhelmed and burnt out.
I know I started with the ambitious goal of hitting 22 goals for the year 2022. Here are some things that didn’t go as expected:
- I didn’t manage to do a quarterly review after the first one
- I didn’t manage to write one blog post per fortnight
- My productivity system fell along the roadside
- Etc…
Despite these challenges, however, I’m thankful for the progress I’ve made with my blog this year. I’ve had the opportunity to interview some amazing people and write about topics and books that, hopefully, had made a difference in your life. I’ve also seen my audience grow and my reach expand. These small successes have kept me motivated and inspired, and have reminded me why I started this journey in the first place.
Here are some of the highlights of the year:
1. Interviewing amazing people
One of the most fulfilling things about blogging is the opportunity to meet and interview amazing people. There is so much to learn from their life journeys and experiences. Interviews are also the most read articles because many new readers are friends and families of our interviewees.
This year we have 4 interviewees, all of them educators because, well, I’m in this line.
2022 Interview Highlights
Jacob Tan: Biology Teacher and Steward of God’s Beautiful Creation
Rebecca Ng: The Journey of a Turnaround Music Teacher
Edwin Khoo on Balancing Work and Family as Senior Teacher and a Father of 4
Mervyn Sek on Discerning God’s Calling in a Career Transition
Next year, I hope to meet and interview people from different walks of life. Let me know if you have a story to share, and we can connect! A remote interview is good for me too.
2. Exploring work-life balance topics
This year, I decided to delve deeper into looking at how burnout affects our calling, particularly in our work. I reflected on my personal experience of burnout, and how I came out of it. I also wrote about teacher burnout and how we as teachers can prevent it. Finally, I reviewed a book on burnout which I think is worth our reflection.
Besides burnout, I also wrote about other related topics that also affect how we approach our calling.
2022 Work-life Highlights
How I Survived a Recent Burnout Episode
Teacher Burnout – What is it and How to Prevent it
Book Review: ‘The End of Burnout’ by Jonathan Malesic
“No One is Indispensable.” Really?
3. Attending a Marriage ‘Refresher Course’
When we talk about embracing our calling, that ‘calling’ is more than our work or career. One of my callings in life is to be a faithful husband to my wife. Although I seldom write about it here, it is a major part of my life!
This year, we are blessed to attend a 2D1N Art of Marriage retreat, which is a Familylife Singapore event for married couples to renew their commitment to each other.
This event is a significant milestone for us. It is like attending a ‘refresher course’ for our marriage, as we discover anew God’s purpose, principles, and promises for marriage. We renewed our marriage covenant, and envision what kind of legacy to leave for our children.
If you would like to find out more about the Art of Marriage retreat, do follow this link. At this time of writing, there’s one coming up on 11-12 March, 2023, so sign up with your spouse before it’s too late!
Looking Ahead to 2023!
As I look ahead to 2023, I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. I know there will be more challenges and obstacles to overcome, but I’m determined to keep pushing forward and embracing my calling. I’m grateful for the support and encouragement of my readers and followers, and I’m looking forward to continuing to share my thoughts and experiences with you all in the coming year.
Here’s to a new year full of growth, learning, and new opportunities!
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