I still vividly remember December 31, 2019, brimming with hope. "2020 is my year," I declared. "Only good things ahead." Race results? COVID-19 struck just three weeks later, ushering in a cascade of personal and societal tragedies. My predictions couldn't have been more off-base.
Three days into 2022, after sharing Happy New Year wishes with loved ones, the reality check: third vaccine doses, a peaking fifth wave, an exhausted healthcare workforce, and a collective awakening to the weight of "mental load". A glimmer of hope? History shows major epidemics typically fade after about two and a half years—we're nearly there. After two years of half-lives, 2022 demands we live fully—for ourselves.
For two years, we've prioritized others: avoiding infecting elders, staying home when unwell, grieving lost loved ones, isolating in fear of contamination, enduring weeks locked down, pondering an uncertain future amid stagnation. We toasted 2021 knowing it wouldn't deliver. Resolutions? Often abandoned amid the chaos—why quit those three or four cigarettes weekly when life felt so heavy?
But 2022 feels different. We yearn to believe we'll emerge stronger. Beyond missing nightclubs or resenting masks, something deeper calls: self-prioritization.
Have you jotted down your resolutions? Holding them matters less than the act itself—it sparks introspection, clarifying desires and deal-breakers. For me, 2022 means embracing a bit more selfishness. Single or coupled, you come first. Internalize this: put yourself ahead of partners, lovers, even best friends. Why? Spoiler: No one else will. Prioritizing your emotions and needs fosters true fulfillment, softening love's disappointments. Still skeptical? Here are 9 reasons to make yourself your top priority.
Also read:
Self Love: the ideal box to learn to love yourself
Love: 9 reasons to never rummage through your darling's phone again
12 things a man looks for in a romantic relationship (without ever admitting it)
