2022

"Now that 2023 has started, I will be studying every day. I will exercise 5 times a day and eat only leaves. Like 2023 is going to be my grind. I'll be working hard for 26 hours a day. New year, ne-"

The above scenario is a perfect example of what I like to call- 'The 31st of December' Or 'D31 Effect'. The D31 effect is a common phenomenon wherein a person is heavily motivated on the 31st of December which leads to decisions and resolutions of high standards. The result of the effect tends to be giving up.

So, it's the end of another chapter, huh? It's a goodbye to 2022. The year that brought the Omicron wave of Covid, the invasion of Russia in Ukraine, the coronation of King Charles III (RIP Queen), the 22nd Fifa world cup, and the win of Captain Jack Sparrow! After a long pandemic, it was quite a rollercoaster for the world. How was it for me? The same- a year filled with a couple of ups and many downs.

One of the biggest highlights of the year was that I had not one but two M&M's chocolate bars! Whoever came up with it has my utmost respect!

Regardless, 2022 was a confusing time. I had to say goodbye to some of my best friends and teachers. Graduating from my school of 10 years and having to go to an entirely new place with a sudden shift in the atmosphere was tough. The year was a reality check for me, and that hit hard. Staying at home during online classes with less supervision gave me a free pass to do what felt 'easy'. After two prolonged years of finding the easy ways out, I was unable to adjust to offline life again. I realized I had to relearn self-control and self-regulation. I realized the importance of some commonly overused words in life. The importance of discipline, consistency, and effort. Unfortunately, however, I only just understood them and was not successful in applying them. Why? Because I spent the year questioning why I couldn't go back to the past. I spent the year failing at even trying. I spent the year with so many doubts, cries, and fears that I was unable to give myself a chance at anything...

I found it tense to climb many steps this past year, pretty sure I tumbled down a few. All I wanted to do was distance myself from the hardships. I wanted to run away from the places of uneasiness. But I learned that resilience matters- being able to pick myself back up. And it's got nothing to do with the amount of time that it takes to get up. This is not a night-long journey though. It is not in a day or week's time that I can simply get rid of the distractions and start being better on the spot. It is a process. It will take a while. There will be struggles and yet more tears on the way, which are inevitable. So for 2023, I do not wish for it to be all rainbows and sparkles or to be filled with rain and hail. But rather, I'd like to find the light within and go at my own pace. The world out there is harsh, yes. You'll have to work hard and instill values of discipline, yes. It is a rough path and full of bumps, yes. But you have to learn to build trust within yourself and push through, and eventually, you will be able to do that and look back with pride. And you can do it, yes!

So tell yourself, what should the new year be like for you?

Signed,

Ann.