How in the world is it 2022? I feel like we are still stuck in 2020, waiting for the pandemic “to blow over in 2 or 3 weeks.”
Here we are, 2 years later, still worrying about rising cases, wearing masks everywhere we go. My students are dropping left and right, either testing positive or having to isolate due to exposure. Our school is trying to find coverage for so many teachers, and we have exams this week. What a continued mess.
I’ve started so many blog posts the last few months, and I’ve just let them sit in my drafts. Almost every year since starting Max Out Happy, I’ve written a post for my birthday, a holiday gift guide, a post with inspiration for the new year…and this year I just haven’t felt up to it. I haven’t written in months, I haven’t been feeling creative, and life has just been moving fast. Life is busy and stressful at times. When you add an ongoing global pandemic amid teacher strain and shortages, a toddler, 3 dogs, and a husband who coaches 2 sports, there isn’t a lot of down time for self care or inspiration.
The pandemic is definitely putting a strain on everyone. My family has been fortunate and blessed in many ways, but it’s frustrating to be a teacher right now. I’ve always loved my job – so that has been really hard. I just feel zapped. So here I am, writing about it 😉 In all seriousness, though, I know many of us are feeling this general slump. It’s understandable! I wish we had an end date for all of this mess, but that’s not how the world works.
How are you doing? This is your friendly check in. For 2022, I am shunning the societal pressure of setting intentions or resolutions. The things that are important to me now are the things that I’m always working on: Being a good person, showing kindness to others, showing kindness to myself, keeping my body strong, being honest and setting boundaries…the list goes on. Since these are my “forever goals,” there’s nothing new that I really want to focus on. I think we’re all doing the best we can. This year, I’m happy to just keep going and enjoy the moments I am given. Piling on a bunch of new resolutions and promises seems overwhelming to me this year. I know some people thrive with that motivation, which is great! But if that’s not you right now, that’s great too. What are you doing for 2022?
Davis will be 2 years old this Saturday. It’s insane to me because I feel like we just brought him home from the hospital. We have all come a long way since that 4 night stay at the hospital, the sleepless nights with a newborn, and trying to navigate our new life with a baby at home. So much happened in 2020 and 2021, but I had my two best guys by my side through it all, along with support from family and friends. We all need that; I hope you have a support system, too, and one that will carry you through whatever 2022 has in store.
One of my favorite bands in college was Death Cab for Cutie, and I’ve recently been listening to their station on Pandora with my students. They have a song called “The New Year” – here’s the music video if you’re interested. It’s how I’m feeling right now: I don’t feel any different, I don’t have any resolutions. And that’s okay! If you’re feeling the pressure to do all the things, be super productive, reach all of your goals, and continue setting new ones, please let that go. Do what you can, do what feels good, and do what you can be proud of. Everything else can wait.
Here’s to 2022. I hope that this year brings peace, joy, and love to us all, and that we all take the time and the care we need to experience our emotions and name our needs. I’ll be here with you, fighting the same fight and keeping my hands sanitized between each round 🙂
