No Life Like It

Happy New Year! Hello 2022!

Cyndi Mills - Owner | Publisher CMF Magazine January 16, 2022

0 4 minutes read

Above image: Molly and me! In 2021 we brought this bundle of chaos, spunk and energy in to our home. While she brings us joy, fun, and happiness daily, she also brings chaos – lots of it.

Happy New Year! Welcome to our first Ezine of 2022. It is hard to believe we are already halfway through January! As I write this, Old Man Winter has made his appearance (again) in Petawawa with the thermometer dipping to -30 C with a windchill of -40 C. It reminds me of our time in Edmonton, AB. This lower mainland B.C. girl had no idea that Alberta weather makes its way across the country, and there is no escaping it.

For our first Ezine issue of 2022, we are highlighting a few of our articles we have published in the magazine over the years. With the pandemic still here, we have included a few health and wellness articles, along with getting organized, career, and strengthening your relationship.

Health and Wellness in 2022

I will begin the list with health and wellness – because, let’s face it, if you are not in a good space, mentally, physically, spiritually, or emotionally, life can be challenging. Having spent the last six months, which is half of last year, with life running me as I was not in a good space with any of the above.

You wear protective armour when you play or take part in sports – what about when it comes to protecting yourself when taking part in conversations? Veteran and owner of Broadmind Sherry Lachine shares strategies on how to protect yourself from being drained or upset when dealing with difficult people.

In hindsight, I wish I had read Sheri Lachine’s article Mental Armour: Your Everyday Protective Gear. The article gives excellent suggestions on protecting yourself from other people, whether in person or on social media. We also have Sheri’s article Sucking At Self Care: Why it’s sometimes hard to take care of ourselves and why we should. This was a huge issue for me in 2021. As life was happening to me, I couldn’t see the forest for the trees.

If you have found the last few years have slipped away and you don’t know where they went, check out Monica Bobbitt’s article New Year, New Hope. She writes about observing the good in our lives and not focusing on loss. As Monica shares, because time is too short.

Did you know that we are humans have a predisposition for seeing the negative? It is no wonder that trying to see the bright side may be difficult – however, there are many benefits to having a grateful mindset. Let’s face that “one more thing” I need will make you happy – won’t. If you feel like thankfulness has gone AWOL for your life our Etiquette columnist shares tips on how to get that gratitude attitude back.

Reducing Stress in 2022

We also have our Etiquette columnist Cecilia Pita’s article The Attitude of Gratitude: A Mindset. She shares the importance of having the attitude of gratitude. If you are struggling with it and wondering why, don’t worry as Cecilia writes, “Unfortunately, humans have a predisposition for seeing the negative, so it’s not surprising that many of us find it difficult to look on the bright side.”

The months of January and February are great months to clean out the clutter. I have been doing this for the last few years. Did you know that being surrounded by clutter actually causes stress? If you feel a little cramped in your home and are looking to get rid of stuff, read Reduce Your Stress by Decluttering Your House and also Organizing Made Simple where Veronique Lavallee shares tips and strategies to bring order to your home.

Is organizing your finances on your list of priorities for this year? If so now is the time to start thinking about RRSPs. While CAF personnel have a great pension plan, it is important to remember now two financial situations are alike. While you may be earning the same wage as your friend, your retirement goals may be different. Learn how you can plan financially now to ensure you meet all your retirement goals. Don’t miss Did you say RRSP?

More Wealth in 2022

Not only is the new year a good time to organize your space, begin to cultivate gratitude, but it is also a fantastic time to organize your finances, time, and relationships. With RRSP season upon us, learn the benefits of investing RRSPs in the article Did You Say RRSP? While CAF personnel have a great pension, you can enhance your retirement lifestyle by planning today.

Also in the saving money category, along with saving time, is meal planning. As Meghan Egerton shares, she and her family blew through $900 in eating out in one month. While that does seem like a lot, it can quickly be done. In her article Planning the Perfect Meal Plan, not only does Megan share her own experience, but she also shares tips and strategies to ensure you are successful when it comes to meal planning for you and your family.

The pandemic has undoubtedly put a strain on many couples but a new year means a new kindle can be fired between you and your partner this year. Check out five New Year’s resolutions you and your spouse can make to strengthen your relationship in 2022.

When it comes to relationships, don’t miss 5 New Years Resolutions to Strengthen Your Relationship. And if you happened to be posted OUTCAN, don’t miss New Years Resolutions for OUTCAN Living.

New Career in 2022

And if you are considering a new career path, or maybe have a posting or move in your future, you will not want to miss resume guru Natalie MacLellan’s article on Resume Mistakes to Avoid. As the article is accurately titled, she shares what you need to avoid on your resume when searching for a job. And for those that may be moving on from serving in the CAF, we have Debbie Adams’s article Building a Life After Service. In her article, Debbie shares how she dealt with the challenge of being medically released from the CAF and learning to build a life after she retired.

No Life Like It