2021: What Even Happened This Year?

Hi, everyone! Welcome back to Stylishly Good Vibes! Wow-wee. . . it’s been a minute since I took out my laptop, typed WordPress.com into the search bar, and sat down to “write” for enjoyment. That’s the hard thing when you work in marketing—by the time the day ends, you’re so tired of making content for other people that it can be hard to make content for yourself!

But, alas, the end of the year is upon us and it’s time for a good ol’ reflection on the past year!

I don’t know about you, but I feel like 2021 was just . . . weird? I don’t know how else to explain it! Overall, the year was just fine. Not bad, but also not like a super awesome, fun time, you know?

I’m looking forward to the new year for a variety of reasons, some of which I’ll be keeping under wraps until I myself know what’s actually going on LOL. For one, 22 is my favorite number, so this year has to be a good one, right? RIGHT!?!?

I digress! If anything, the past year has definitely prepared me to make the next jump in my life—whatever that jump may be!

I’m sure we can all relate to the fear of the unknowns that your 20s tend to bring. The unknowns are uncomfortable. They’re like a big spider crawling on the ceiling above you. Is it going to fall on me? Should I move? Should I get a tissue to grab it? WHAT DO I DO!

In my early 20s, I read this one book called “The Defining Decade.” If you haven’t read it, it’s essentially a self-help book for your 20s. I’m all for listening to advice from someone who’s experienced things I’m going through, but just because they’re dishing it out, doesn’t mean I’m going to act on it.

Back when I read that book, I thought it was really eye-opening and well-written, but looking back on it now in my late 20s, I really don’t like how the book makes it seem like you have to define your entire being in your 20s.

Of course, the things you do in your 20s set you up for your 30s and so on, but it’s not just this decade that’s defining. It’s all of them! So why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to have things figured out by a certain age in our 20s?!

I don’t know who needs to hear this (maybe me, maybe you, maybe a friend), but your timeline is going to be different than every single person in this world. Your life is uniquely yours. You are uniquely you!

Why would you want to hyper-focus on comparing your life to someone whose life is totally different than yours? Just because you share one commonality, like age, doesn’t mean anything! That’s something I’ve been trying my best to remember in this latter half of my 20s!

I guess what I’m trying to say is give yourself grace when reflecting on your year. We’ve all been through some shit the past two years.

It’s okay if you haven’t accomplished all the things you thought you would.

It’s okay if you feel a bit lost with everything that’s going on.

It’s okay if you feel unsure about what’s next.

The new year is just another year. Another opportunity to do whatever the f*ck you want! So let’s go out there and do the damn thing!

Wishing you all the good vibes in 2022!

Until next time!

ALICIA

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