2022 Wrapped.
A note for self.
What a roller coaster 2022 has been! I started the year with a list of ten goals, and as I look back, I have barely achieved two out of them. The year has been nothing like what I had or could have planned, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I went on my first solo trip. While it was unnerving initially, stepping out of my comfort zone made me much more at ease with myself. Making new friends — people with lives completely unlike mine, sharing stories I could still relate to, finding peace and joy in solidarity, being responsible for myself — I came back with lots of memories I treasure.
I took my parents on a Vacation after the longest time. In someways, I’ve been able to step up for my family. And all the while, we’ve started to understand each others’ lives and perspectives better. We’ve grown to trust each other a lot more.
I moved out this year, found an incredible flatmate, and set up my own house. Everything from managing the little things at home that you don’t realise need to be done unless you’re on your own, to hosting lots of house parties was a new experience — makes me feel like I’m finally adulting.
Being on my own has also given me the headspace to make more independent choices in life, explore new things and deal with tough situations on my own.
I’ve been incredibly lucky to have most of my college friends in my city. I not only got the time with them that I felt I had lost because of the pandemic, this time we were all financially independent, giving us ample resources to celebrate every little thing. Having a close-knit group physically around you post college is rare, and when I look back years later, I know this is something I will cherish the most.
Professionally, I completed a year as a product engineer at a seed stage startup, spent a month as a marketing intern, and joined Google eventually. All the free time gave me an opportunity to slow down, network and explore random hobbies like pole dancing or pottery. While I am a lot more confident of what I bring to the table, I have also started seeing how career is not as important to my happiness as I thought it was.
Having lived in Hyderabad for most of my life, I call 20 degrees cold. Partly due to friends, and partly for the desire to see snow, I signed up for my first ever trek — Ending the year on a high! At subzero, 12750 ft, where even our sunscreens froze, and I was struggling to breathe, I was glad to find my body have better endurance than I’d have expected.
This was a year I became a lot more open about certain aspects of my life. While uncomfortable at first — it has only helped me build more confidence and find a support group. I’ve gotten comfortable with who I am — whether it be my stupidity, weaknesses, my body, confusions, or my strengths
I’ve learnt to say no. There are somethings you must never do just to please. While I still find it very uncomfortable, I’ve learnt to negotiate. Although, I’m not sure if it is for the best, I’ve become a lot more spontaneous!
Finally, I started writing, ( albeit no where close to my goal of one piece per week). I’ve found the process to help me ground my feelings, clear my thoughts and understand concepts better.
It’s only the hardest times that help you grow. I lost my grandfather. I tested positive and fell sick multiple times. We saw two of our trusted male friends cross lines of consent — events that followed will stay with me forever. Being unemployed during recession and one of the largest tech layoffs, I dealt with a lot of uncertainty, coupled with lack of clarity on what I want to do next.
I’ve made mistakes, and I’ve learnt a lot. Top two things I would do differently this year:
- Make health my first priority. I learnt the importance of a healthy diet and regular excercises the hard way. Nothing seems more important to me this year than my physical health.
- Spend more time on myself. Rather than ephemeral joys, I want to invest more time in exploring my interests, figuring out what I want to do in life
When I look back, it’s hard to think of a year that has been as significant as 2022. I know years later, I will look back at this year as the period that helped me grow into a woman I want to become. Looking forward to a year, just as exciting, dramatic, and edifying as the last.
Happy New Year!
Exactly one year ago:
