A Message to 2021: New Year, New (or same old) You?

As we enter 2022, let’s take some time to reflect on the highs and lows of 2021. With the Pandemic still raging on, 2021 was notable for the rolling out of the Covid Vaccine programme alongside Covid Passports and Teacher Assessed Grades. As we come to the close of this eventful year, the Team at Loop reflect on their own experiences of another year that I think most of us will be happy to see the back of!

2020 and 2021 I think both went so fast all due to covid. However even though this pandemic caused a lot of negative effects towards people, personally the only down that happened towards me was I kept postponing the idea of meeting new people and getting more out there. I also feel that throughout the whole pandemic covid did not just cause a lot of physical damage to people’s lives but also mental. Recently a lot of people have struggled with their mental health due to not socializing. I think through 2022 we all need to socialize more.

The past two years haven’t felt like living, it’s been a while since we’ve had the true freedom to do what we want. I’m hopeful that 2022 will bring a new redemption and chance at a brighter and more optimistic change to our lives, where we will finally be able to press play once more instead of constantly living on repeat.

2021 was really long. It's good to have a new year.

2021 was somehow long and short simultaneously so entering a new year is definitely refreshing. There’s something healing about a re-start but also an overwhelming stress to change and grow that can do more damage than good especially with the world how it is at the moment. As new year rolls around, it can feel like change is demanded from us. We are force-fed the message that we must instantly replace ourselves with a new and ‘improved’ version that has no reflection of natural growth. It is a suffocating message. We should instead be encouraged to understand that real personal progress takes time, energy and rumination. It’s ok to take your time when finding your feet.

‘New year, new me’ is unrealistic and unattainable. Change comes naturally, and should be embraced as it develops. I’m excited for 2022 and the summer season, but a part of me is still hyper-focussed on the ever-changing covid pandemic, and I think that’ll remain in the back of my mind for quite a while.

2021 went by in a fast blur. Nothing and everything happened last year, making it difficult to think how to better myself as the new year starts. Personally I’m going to take 2022 as it comes, focusing on enjoying the year and making memories that have been missed out on in the past few years.