2021 — Not Just a Dumpster Fire
Ah, December 31st, the day when our news and social media feeds get filled with reflections on the past year and predictions for the new year to come. So, I thought, what the hell, why not one more?
Like 2020, this past year has been entirely framed by a pandemic that refuses to leave humanity alone. It is impossible to look back and not realize that almost every one of my actions, decisions, and emotional responses were shaped by what was going on during the pandemic.
It is actually quite difficult to write at this moment, with the post-holiday surge of cases causing disruption and anxiety, and not just declare this past year another dumpster fire floating in flood waters, but there is probably more value in sharing some positive insights I’ve had in 2021.
Change is Inevitable
Like many GenXers, I was born in a recession, graduated into one, and I had the early parts of my career upended by two more. I’ve learned over the years to always look for the exit signs and have a parachute ready, because sooner or later, the world is going to throw another curveball. Having a dark sense of humor has also been helpful.
Because of how the world has shaped me, I have felt that I have been pretty prepared for what the pandemic has thrown at me.
“You want me to work from home? If I can at least wear pajama bottoms, then cool.”
“I need to home-school my kid? Ok…sure…but there is going to be some wine during the school day.”
“I need to wear a mask again? Fine, it’s been nice not to be told I need to smile more.”
What I have found quite illuminating, though, is how easy it is now to recognize those unable or unwilling to change. They are the businesses that bemoan the loss of employees due to their inflexibility and abuse. They are the people I block on Facebook, who would rather idolize symbols of times long dead than accept nothing will ever remain static.
Know My Limits, Say No, Ask for Help
At the beginning of 2021, I decided that the daily helping of pandemic anxiety and political turmoil wasn’t enough excitement, so why not make it more interesting by starting a side project (Hack Slash Media) with a friend and go back to college to finish my degree.
Writing blog articles about work and start-up culture has been fun, and going back to school to get that long unfinished degree has kept my mind focused on a more positive future, but man, has it tested the limits of what I find myself capable of doing.
I have had to learn to prioritize, to honestly let people know what I can or cannot deliver. I have discovered that taking on more than I can do at one time only stresses out myself and everyone else around me. “No”, has more often been, “No, not right now” and people have been pretty accommodating.
Humility has also been a requirement to get through the past year, and to some degree, that has been the hardest for me. I have had to learn to ask for help when I’ve started to struggle on tasks, either at home or at work, I’d normally do alone. Again, people helped with a smile, rather than the annoyance I was expecting.
Keep Only What’s Valuable
I think the most profound discovery I made in 2021, is realizing what and who is really important to me. This is probably a discovery most everyone has made.
Being isolated during 2020 and early 2021 made me long for the people and interactions that have truly been valuable to me. Once vaccination allowed some measure of safety, I have tried to further develop those relationships and express their importance to me. I lost all ability to produce small talk with people who aren’t worth the time, and that has been perfectly fine.
A Prediction for 2022?
I am not particularly talented at clairvoyance, but if I am to make any type of prediction, it will be that change, setting limits, and realizing what is valuable are going to continue to be a part of not only my life, but also in the lives of almost everyone else.
Given the current employment environment, I am not alone in realizing that like my personal relationships, my relationship with any employer also needs to be valuable. Life is too short to endure low pay, inflexibility, and toxic relationships.
Everyone has found that there are limits to what they will endure, that it is time to say no, and that places and people are unwilling to change, are best left in the dust.