It’s that time of the year again where we get to take stock of the last 12 months. We take a deep look into what we achieved this year, what we failed to do for one reason or another, and what we wish to embark on for the next 12 months. Despite surviving a pandemic, this was also the year most households learnt how simple it is to make banana bread. That in itself is for the history books.
Now every day for the last decade or so we spent waking up, going to school and working tirelessly just to make ends meet. At first, there was some level of eagerness to complete school. Then came the nervousness that cripples you before you get into that interview room. The burst of excitement that comes with getting your first job. The first time you set your eyes on your future husband, or wife. We have all at one point sought to experience one or all of these stages. Until we didn’t. Because the job you were once so excited about becomes monotonous, the aspirations you had of starting a new business dies down and the partner you so very much admired and wished to spend every minute with suddenly becomes human.
We became overtaken by life’s events. So much so that we lost our true sense. Wake up, shower, work, home, maybe catch up on an episode of Brooklyn 99 before calling it a night. All that and repeat. Our lives became a loop of toxic traits. We complained but we became comfortable. Because that’s what we do.
The truth is that It doesn’t have to be that way. We became more like programmed beings and less of risk takers. As much as we wish to travel the world and get to live our dreams, taking the risk is always easier said than done. That constant fear and need to latch onto something that we might potentially regret on our deathbed keeps cropping up on our minds. But like every other thing, it is best to shove it under the rug because, look at the bigger picture! You might just get promoted to senior associate if you just work a little harder for the next 5 years.
After this constant vicious cycle, some say the universe had enough. Hunger, mass incarceration, death, destruction, climate change, poor governance among other atrocities have been affecting the world. But most people never felt the need to address it because it had no direct effect on their lives. Of-course ignorance still remains the biggest pandemic we as a society are suffering from. So, the universe then decided to unleash the most googled word of 2020. Coronavirus. We all acknowledge the effect that the virus has had on us and that is not a road I wish to take us through in this instant.
With that said, this year genuinely felt like someone pressed a pause button in our lives and forced us to sit with ourselves. Something that we often never do. Mostly because it evokes emotions that we have no time to confront and deal with. We are busy trying to chase our dreams right?
This year is definitely an exception when it comes to achieving the whole ‘new year goals’ idea someone decided to sell us years ago. It is exceptional because every single thing you did for yourself should and is worth a celebration. Waking up and making your bed is very much an achievement. Let alone single handedly changing the face of comedy from your bedroom all whilst eating a bag of chips. Yes, I couldn’t finish this article without mentioning Queen Elsa because she DID THAT.
As you take stock of your year, I hope you take some time to look at the things you did manage to achieve. The milestones you made. The family members you reconnected with. All the mundane things that you overlooked before this year that has shaped you into a better person.
Now despite there being variations of successes that we’ve experienced, we cannot ignore the number of tragedies we’ve had to endure. The world has had to constantly grieve the loss of their loved ones but the beauty in it is that we’ve grieved together. Isn’t it paradoxical to think that we should appreciate grieving together? But then again, anything and everything is worth celebrating in the year of the pandemic.
Despite all this we still found a reason to smile, to laugh to love and to cherish one another. So as we prepare to take on another year, let’s remember the reason we are here. Furthermore, if 2021 is still not the year you rise from the ashes, that’s okay too.
Lastly, let’s appreciate the fact that humans are resilient. We have a unique ability to face adversity head-on and find the most interesting solutions to get through problems. We might not find them on time. But we find them nevertheless. That is one thing I hope never changes. I hope that when all this passes, we will always find a reason to remain grateful. We will do everything we can to remain alive. And live intentionally.
Until then, happy pandemic-versary.
-Khadija Noor