Happy New Year / Bonne année / 新年快樂!
Welcome to 2022. Another year of completing another rotation around the sun, and it’s incredible that we’ve also survived another year of the pandemic. Things have definitely improved since the previous year, but there’s still a lot to improve on. 2022 gives us that chance to do so, and we’ll have to see just what happens in the next 12 months…
I’ve already discussed most of it in my “Life Update” post in December, but overall, my 2021 year was incredibly calm– in fact, I don’t think I’ve had such a tranquil year since high school! There was always something going on over these last few years, whether it was traveling, moving homes, or getting my foot into a steady career. Now that I’ve settled in Los Angeles and am now in a permanent work position, I’m living the adult everyday-ness of work on the weekdays, and fun on the weekends. And to be honest, I actually like it.
This isn’t to say that I don’t desire to travel anymore– in fact, I catch myself getting itchy feet to go somewhere. I do hope to travel more this year (and I do have a big, international trip booked later this year), but otherwise, I enjoy finally having stability after years of uncertainty and bouncing back-and-forth between two countries. Honestly, I need to have some roots for at least another few years before I can even consider going elsewhere.
What will 2022 bring? Factually, I know that it’ll bring my second year of being at my current job (come this August) and *hopefully* my big international trip in the winter. But also, I’ll be turning 29 in March, which is just a year away from the big 3-0. It may not seem a big deal of turning 29, but the way I see it, it is the final year of being in my twenties and it is a way of reflecting on what I’ve done and have accomplished during this momentous decade of my life. I won’t say too much about this for the moment, as I am technically not 29 (nor even 30) yet, but I will say that, overall, I’m satisfied with how my twenties have turned out so far. More on that to come later…
I’ve long since stopped making resolutions for years now, as I don’t like the pressure of having to achieve them within the year. However, I do make goals– tentative goals— that I do my best to reach, but don’t find a big deal if I’m not able to:
One of my goals this year is to travel more domestically (safely, of course). It’s been my dream to visit Chicago and New Orleans for such a long time, and I really hope to hit at least one of them this year, if not both. Another is to get a better work schedule, as I am unhappy with my current one– I know that this will be up to administration, but I intend to push a bit and see if it’s a possibility. I also aim to get back into running regularly, as I’ve been inconsistent with my running schedule for several months now. As it’s been my passion since my preteen years, I plan to make a routine to run and increase my mileage again. Even if I can only run once or twice a week, it’s a lot better than nothing!
Whereas the beginning of 2021 still had a lot of uncertainty with life and plans for many of us, it appears that 2022 will be a bit better now that people are vaccinated and things (e.g. restaurants, travel, etc.) have reopened. While there are apprehensions about the Omicron variant going around (and spikes in COVID cases during this past holiday season), I predict and hope that this surge will die down as the year progresses. And even if there will continue to be variants popping up at this rate, I believe that taking precautions to limit going out and to always mask up while doing so is the way to go to reach a “new normal” in our society. We’ll just have to see in these next 12 months.
Thanks for reading my ramblings. I wish you all a wonderful New Year’s and a wonderful 2022! 🙂
— Rebecca
Happy New Year 2022.. New Year, New Adventures. https://www.facebook.com/luvtrip.id
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a couple of months ago, one month ago, I was feeling hopeful. sadly at the moment i am more worried and stressed i think than i have been since the whole pandemic began. Still, there is hope that once this HUGE bump called Omicron is cleared, and who knows in two months perhaps things will look a lot better – at the very least we will have a better idea where everything is heading. A big trip too for me if i am lucky!
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I can understand your worries with the Omicron variant (and the spike in COVID cases due to the holiday season), and I also worry about about staying healthy and future travel plans. It feels as if we regressed in our progress, but I believe that we’ve made incredible improvements in this past year, from rolling out the vaccine to getting many vaccinated to having much milder symptoms after getting COVID (at least, if fully vaxxed and boosted). I believe that COVID will remain around for a while and there will continue to be variants, but at some point, it will become as commonplace as the cold. We’ll just have to see!
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Happy New Year Rebecca! Hoping your travel plans will happen this year. I think if you’re ok with not achieving goals within the year but more as a guide- then all is ok!
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Happy New Year to you, too! Yes, I’m not giving myself the pressure to achieve these goals by the end of the year, but here’s hoping I can! I’ll do my best!
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Happy new year
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Thanks, you too!
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Happy New Year Rebecca! Let’s hope this will be the best one in recent memory. We live in hope…
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Happy New Year to you, too, Leighton! We’ll see what this year will bring!
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Happy New year Rebecca 🙂
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Thanks, Han! Happy New Year to you, too!
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Happy New Year Rebecca! Good luck with meeting your goals in 2022.
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Thank you! Likewise to you this 2022 year. 🙂
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All the best to you in 2022! Let’s hope it’s a better one for travel and life in general 🙂
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Let’s hope, thanks! Likewise to you. 🙂
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Best wishes for 2022 Rebecca! 🎉🎊
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Thank you! You as well, Nat!
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Happy New Year, Rebecca! Wishing you a year full of travels and adventures! 🙂
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Thanks, Agata! Let’s hope! 🙂
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Wishing you and yours health and prosperity in the new year, Rebecca. With New Year’s Eve muted by omicron, many around the world, myself including, hope for better 2022. Take care 🙂 Aiva
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Yes, Omicron has put a damper on the holiday season, but here’s hoping that it subsides as the year progresses. Have a wonderful (and safe) 2022, Aiva!
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🥰🥰🥰
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The year brings what we allow. Can’t wait to see what it brings you.
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Yes, let’s hope it’s a good year! Thank you. 🙂
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I absolutely freaked out when I turned 29 . . . because of the thought of turning 30 just a year after that. It helped me lose 20 pounds that year. I may have gained a few of those back with the pandemic . . . 😦
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What an interesting incentive to lose weight! But it is true that, with age, it’s harder to develop healthy habits and/or lose weight at a certain point, especially if you hadn’t developed such habits or were healthy prior to that. I consider myself pretty healthy with nutrition and exercise, but I know that there’s still a lot to work on. Thanks for dropping by, and have a good 2022 year!
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Happy New Year!
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Thank you! Happy New Year to you, too!
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Thank you!
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I wish the part-time penguin the best of luck with the travel plans, I’m sure it will make for some interesting reading afterwards. Happy Travel Year Rebecca!
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Yes, thank you! I have some travel reads coming out over these next few months (including a large series later this year), so stay tuned! Wishing you a wonderful year of travel ahead!
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Happy New Year
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Thank you. You as well!
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😊💐🎉
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I’m sure you will be able to achieve your goals as the year progresses. We must all stay confidently hopeful ! Take care, Marion
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Yes! No matter what happens in the next 12 months, having faith and continuing forward are what we can really do. Happy 2022, Marion!
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Kudos to you for settling into adult life. I had the opposite reaction when it hit me after college. I was determined to claw my way out. I hated it. 😂
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I think it’s based on experiences and our personalities. I need stability and a place to call home, so after traveling and moving around throughout the first half of my twenties, I definitely wanted to settle down and was ready for “adult life.” It depends on the person and their journey!
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I moved a lot as a child, so it followed me into adulthood. Stability has its perks, but I prefer mobility and flexibility. All the best!
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Happy New year and best wishes for you.
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Thanks, you as well!
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May the new year be good to you, Rebecca! Don’t stress about your age. You will have so many great experiences and adventures to come.
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Thank you! Yes, I’m aware that 29 is still young, so I’ll cherish the fun and life lessons learned along the way. Have a wonderful 2022!
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Let us all have a great 2022 Rebecca.
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Let us hope! Thanks, Anita. 🙂
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Happy 2022!I hope you accomplish your travel goals and other goals
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Yes, let’s hope! Thank you. 🙂
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Happy New Year, Rebecca! Your goals are actually quite similar to mine! I think planning to travel more locally is a great idea, and New Orleans seems like a fantastic destination! I wish you lots of adventures for this new year and can’t wait to follow you along! 😊
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Yes, we’ll have to see how this all pans out, given the explosion of Omicron as we welcome the 2022 year. Looks like there’s some catching up to do as the year progresses!
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