2022 was one hell of a year – especially in the last few months.
Looking back at the headlines 100 years from now, there will be people wondering why us Brits had such an obsession with lettuce and the world collectively lost its shit at a rich person getting slapped upside the head at an awards ceremony.
There were sad things, including all sorts of death and destruction at home and further afield – bloodshed was on the agenda and it felt like we heard about someone being brutally murdered or dying in suspicious circumstances at least once a week.
But, there were also awesome things – like the new medical advancements with Alzheimer’s and cancer, lots more strong female representation in sports (go Lionesses!), and progress in the fight against climate change.
We almost won the Eurovision song contest too, which is something I never thought I’d see in my lifetime…
While I’m not really one for New Year’s resolutions, I do like the symbolism of a fresh start. I mean, it’s still the beginning of January, so I’m allowed to be hopeful. Whether we’re setting goals for ourselves or working towards a shared goal with others, striving towards something can be incredibly fulfilling and rewarding.
So here’s to making this year our best yet!
Looking ahead to the future
Sure, it’s nigh on impossible to predict the exact course of the future, but there are lots of positive aspects to look forward to and work towards. Here are a few:
Mental health
We’re seeing greater awareness of mental health issues – which is great for sufferers and their families – but there’s still more work to be done, especially with fighting against stigma.
There’s lots of research into improving treatment options, so hopefully these initiatives will eventually lead to better support and improved outcomes for people with these conditions.
Diversity & inclusion
As we continue to (mostly) learn and grow as a society, we’re becoming more inclusive and accepting of diversity.
People out there are doing the Lord’s work in creating a more just and fair world for everyone – and I, for one, am pleased to see a greater variety of people from different backgrounds being represented on screen, including people who look like me. Daily Mail be damned.
Climate change
Climate reparations are now a thing (though better late than never). The future holds the potential for environmental progress, if we say no to greenwashing.
As we hold businesses to account for the impact their actions have on the planet, we can work towards protecting and preserve the natural world for future generations.
The world of work
The world of work is changing for the better. I’ve never really been a fan of the typical corporate lifestyle – it’s a necessary evil and bills aren’t optional – but we can already see the promise of new opportunities relating to personal growth and development.
The passion economy has been on the rise since the start of the pandemic, and I personally can’t see anything negative about having less miserable workers in the world.
AI & technology
Technology is scaring some people and empowering others. With things like ChatGPT and AI-powered apps on the rise, people are questioning whether technology will ever really be able to replicate or replace the human touch (it won’t – at least not in this lifetime).
As long as we move with the times and learn to master the tools, I’d like to think we’ll all still be around as tech gets smarter and more capable.
So, yes. Goodbye 2022, and hello 2023. Let’s hope it’s a better year!
