2021: A Year in Review
Languishing: “sufferering from being forced to remain in an unpleasant place or situation.”
First off, 2021 was a lot better than 2020. Let me count the ways:
Got three Pfizer vaccines.
Got #1 a lot earlier than I thought I would.
#2 & #3 kicked my butt but were definitely worth it.
Took two trips in the summer to see a friend and my folks.
It was nice making memories.
Visited London in the fall.
Enjoyed seeing big sites w/o the pre-COVID-19 tourist crowds.
Broderick Writer LLC grew by 8.03% compared to 2020.
I’m really happy that I beat inflation.
Saved money.
Currently spending the holidays with my parents.
Didn’t get to do that last year.
So, I accomplished and did a lot this year. However…something’s off. In terms of business, it’s like I’m just treading water. Inflation notwithstanding, I’m making the same as if I had never stopped teaching. That fact makes me feel meh, considering I’ve been in the freelance (and part-time) writing game since late 2015. I thought by now I could leverage my experience into…something more, something worth the time I’ve put into it. Also, I wrote only two short stories this year. One wasn’t good at all, and no one wanted to buy the other. And the trips I did take, there was always this constant anxiety in the back of my mind about getting sick. Getting the vaccines in April/May and then Delta happening a few months later (and now Omicron!) was mental whiplash.
Hmmm.
For these and other reasons, I’m calling 2021 the year of professional and personal languishing. At least I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. The pandemic (Didn’t we all think it’d be over by now?) has stolen another year from us, and despite the good (see above), it doesn’t seem that much of anything has happened over the last 12 months. I empathize for two of my friends, whose employers have extended WFH to who knows when. I’m sure that it makes them frustrated. I’d be the same way if I were in your shoes, guys.
I hope 2022 will be a better year - a year of action, a year of victories, and a year of pandemic closure. And, if all goes well in the world and with me, maybe, just maybe, there will be nice trip abroad this fall. Already planning it in my head.