I got goosebumps just thinking about the fact that the term next year for 2021 can no longer be applied starting tomorrow. While the thought of starting fresh which involves rather pompous promises and resolutions may have infused us with somewhat new energy, it's understandable if the exact same concept scares us for what it is: uncertainty about the future in what seems like an enclosed life we're living in right now.
A throwback picture from January 2020
Long story short, 2020 was unexpected in a lot of ways. Things we had been hoping to come around didn't exactly happen while things we wouldn't have imagined to transpire in a million years occurred almost out of the blue. Not only that it's been taking a terrible toll on everyone, but the pandemic might've also exhausted us both mentally and emotionally thus it's a little difficult to recognize the usual excitement in welcoming a brand new year.
It is, however, more than okay to silently admit that we've been wandering aimlessly around our unrealized goals this year. It is okay to momentarily feel like the need to strive for some to actually happen is perhaps pointless too. But rather than abandoning them altogether though, let's just remind ourselves that it is normal to feel that way, that adjusting isn't easy but still doable, and a quick google search can convince us that we're not alone in this. Furthermore, struggling in such a difficult time is not something to be ashamed of. It is equally necessary to remember that enough is enough. 2020 was not our best year but it doesn't mean that we had nothing to learn from it.
For instance, I learned to be more aware of little yet wonderful blessings like God's endless providences in our life (extra thankful for our health, food, home, and so many other things I can't name here). 2020 also reminded me of how important family is. It feels nice to have people you can always count on no matter what. We spent this year's Christmas with food and two wintery movies I ended up loving so much: Polar Express and The Nightmares Before Christmas. On the other hand, blogging turned out to be another hobby I did a lot in my spare time while the rest was majorly spent in my cubicle as I have officially become a tax accountant, a job I was very much looking forward to acquiring earlier this year.
I also discovered plenty of good books but I promise this topic will be furtherly discussed in a later post so let's just jump forward to some remarkable series I stumbled upon throughout the year like Outer Banks, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Gilmore Girls, A Love So Beautiful, Meteor Garden, and The Office. Meanwhile, I considered the existence of Folklore and Evermore by Taylor Swift some sort of remedy for how badly 2020 took a turn. The love triangle between Betty, James, and the August girl left me wondering like a high school girl while songs like Illicit Affairs, Invisible String, and Seven wowed me. As if the hysteria wasn't easy enough to process, Gold Rush, No Body No Crime, and Long Story Short came on the scene, losing us in ecstasy.
Another small achievement I need to mention was probably my bookstagram which hit 4.5k followers this year, and while it’s fun to experience new photography styles and fangirl, I made myself less active there for mental health reasons. Besides the fact that I became more selective in accepting collaboration for reviews due to an unpleasant experience, I didn’t want to pressure myself with social media and its worsen algorithm; thankfully it worked out very well. All in all, I made it clear that self-care was the most important—that's why lately I've been extra chatty around here instead.
Closing a year feels oddly similar to finishing a book before unlocking a basket full of new adventures to undergo. Possessing a high expectation, however, may not be the best option at a time like this but taking a break to congratulate yourself for going this far can be a proper reminder to celebrate life and the little things in it. Wishing you a happy, happy new year, folks. I hope 2021 will be good to all of us.
