By Andrés Muñoz

As the year draws to an end, we look back and evaluate how we’ve been able to get on with our lives, weathering the current global health crisis while we’re at it. While the pandemic has disrupted us in more ways than one, it has also taught us many lessons and opened our perspectives regarding established realities; like how technology has taken centre stage in how we behave, learn, conduct our businesses, and more.

We just completed our second year of COVID, and we still have a long way to go before the virus is a thing of the past, but it is fair to say that having defeated 2020, 2021 wasn’t as bad. 

This is the season when people usually set themselves a series of resolutions to start the upcoming new year with their best foot forward. You might be thinking that this will definitely be the year you’ll hit the gym, save more money, or give up a habit that might not be good for you. 

All these classic resolutions are absolutely valid and will definitely bring you a sense of fulfilment. That being said, we’d like to suggest a different take, stemming from the newfound insights we’ve discovered due to the pandemic. The past two years have made these suggestions far more evident. Here’s why. 

Travel Some More

A while ago, I wrote a Here’s Why Traveling Is A Form Of Therapy For Me article, and the general message has always stuck. With all the lockdowns, travel restrictions, and cancelled or postponed events in the past two years, there has been plenty of time to be alone and to focus on one’s health. 

However, being in isolation for too long is never good. There is something special about those activities that remind you to keep exploring and discovering. As soon as I’m able, I hope to embark on a nice, long trip somewhere. Many have hit the road already, and I predict that the trend will only expand next year.

Go To A Concert Or Three

It is hard for me to describe all the things I feel when going to a live event. I relate it a lot to the German philosophy of zeitgeist, which is the “spirit of the times” or about being present in the ideas and beliefs of a specific time. For instance, those who were able to see the superstar French duo of electronic music Daft Punk live, were able to experience the heyday of the French House scene of the late 90s, early 2000s.

Every time I go to a concert, I feel like I’m living, breathing and experiencing the spirit of our time. Even though a lack of live events also represents the time of the pandemic, I’m ready for it to be over. I want to carry on with my life. 

Connections In Cooking

With all that time spent indoors, I genuinely hope that you were able to expand your skill set in the kitchen! I learned how to cook several new dishes during the past two years. That said, I think I’ve only scraped the surface of the world of cooking. Just like Remy in Ratatouille, I’m very keen on discovering new flavours and trying them out in experimental dishes that mix and match. 

Also, just like concerts and live events are a way of connecting with tens of thousands of strangers, a sumptuous and well-thought-of dinner is a fascinating way to connect on a closer level with another person or a smaller group of people. It is vital to learn how to communicate with individuals on a macro and micro level. 

Self-Care

This resolution is definitely one of the more classic ones, so to speak. If 2020 was the year of the virus and suffering, 2021 was the year of the vaccines and recovery, and the trend will only continue in 2022. A while ago, I sustained a nasty fracture that severely limited my mobility for a few months. Only a few days ago, I was able to ride a bicycle again, and I’m dedicating a lot of time and effort to recovering my mobility and physical state. It is vital to stay healthy, and we should all commit to at least an hour a day to take care of our well being. 

Today marks the first day of 2022! While the past two years have definitely taught us a thing or two about ourselves and the challenges we face as individuals and society, we look forward to the future with our chin up and in high spirits. It’s our nature as humans. 

But still, it is essential to set goals for yourself, no matter how big or small they may be. What other new New Years’ resolutions have you thought of? Let us know in the comments section below!

We wish you a very Happy and Healthy 2022 and thank you for your support and friendship!

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