As 2022 draws to a close, if I may interrupt your normal programming to indulge me for a small moment (its gonna be a lengthy one!). I want to take this opportunity to catch my breath and reflect on the past 12 months and boy, what an incredible year it's been!
We started the year with one of the worse outbreaks of covid in the country just as we were beginning to go about our 'normal' lives again... (whatever normal is). Then as that came under control, it was wonderful to watch life finally properly re-bloom around the country.
As the year progressed and just as our vaccination rates increased, and covid seemed somewhat under control and there began a semblance of normal life in society again, I went on a quest to find something different to do, something challenging that will shift me from my usual default state of being naturally lazy. I have never been satisfied with settling into default mode... my attention span is too short and i get restless and annoying. Even if it was just being lazy. And from the realms of boredom a considered and conscious decision was made to venture beyond default!
Venturing beyond default starts with the difficult decision to leave a good, comfortable job, working alongside a crew of amazing people who do great work every day. And I am forever thankful for their support, guidance, encouragement and not to mention, all the laughs, whilst working with them.
Eventually I landed at a different type of company. One where I felt the values aligned more closely with my own and caring about the people really was a priority.
It was a big change moving to a smaller team. There were fewer people for me to talk to on a daily basis, fewer people to pick brains, fewer people to share lunch with. If I had learned anything about myself during covid it was that for an introvert, I really crave and need to have human interaction. I didn't enjoy WFH, the loneliness of not talking to anyone in the flesh, not getting to know my colleagues on a personal level was a struggle for me. Suffice to say, going into an office where on some days there would only be 2 or 3 people (including myself) was a big culture shock.
I did initially think... What. Have. I. Done?! Have I made the wrong decision? What am I doing here??
However, going beyond default was never going to be comfortable, it was merely just time that I needed to give. Change is not always easy, sometimes it gets thrown at you without warning, sometimes you force it upon yourself. Regardless, change takes time for us to adjust and almost always leads to something unexpected, sometimes exciting and sometimes challenging. Oftentimes all of these things.
A lot of change happened in 2022, sometimes difficult but ultimately has lead me to where I am now. I have met and worked with amazing and incredibly dedicated humans, people who care so much about doing things right and doing the right things. We don't always get it perfect, and the goal posts change every now and again but regardless of the changes i know that we are working towards the same goal. And it feels right for now.
Despite the challenges, this year has been a good one. I have enjoyed and savoured much gourmet delights and drank more than I normally would or should. I played and participated in things i used to avoid and i have moved and been more active than i have in years. I have laughed and loved life amongst good friends. It's been a good year.
I am grateful for the opportunities that has enabled me to be where i am now. I still have a lot more to learn. I am thankful to be surrounded by many incredible and passionate people from whom I can continue to grow and learn.
As the year ends and my journey continues into 2023, i look forward to catching up with many of you in the new year. Please stay safe and take care during your celebrations and may 2023 be an incredible and joyous year, one where drama is kept minimal and where we can continue to learn, grow, enjoy and keep venturing beyond default.
