The past few years have been stressful and challenging for all of us. For many of us, 2022 was a beacon of hope towards a brighter chapter. 2022, just like any other year, was a year packed of wins and losses for all of us. However, I truly believe most losses are not actually losses, if we learn from them.
There are many key observations and lessons to take away from 2022. I usually try to point those out every year around this time. Many of my concerns of 2021 continue to trend in the wrong direction. Yet, I can also make the case that 2022 was indeed a beacon of hope for all.
Here are my key observations and lessons from 2022.
Dating and relationship observations and lessons of 2022
- Dating is getting increasingly hard with modern standards and the easy access to an abundance of options via the apps. This makes it more important now than ever to truly know who you are and what you want. Express them early. Don’t waste each other’s time.
- Sometimes, you may get curved for flawed reasons. Make sure you are a person worthy of saying “their loss”, and actually mean it. Building a strong character enables you to understand the value you bring and help you identify more suitable partners.
- You don’t have to fix a heart you didn’t break. However, helping people may be the right thing to do if you have the wisdom to do so. You can avoid the friendzone by setting up proper boundaries as you nudge them towards the path of healing.
- Human beings are complex. While we may be able to figure out each other’s core values from one conversation, it’s usually impossible to figure each other out from one conversation. Being vulnerable is hard. We often give up too early based on false assumptions or perceptions.
Key observations and lessons of 2022 related to family and friends.
- Home is indeed, where the heart is at.
- Never take for granted someone who cares enough about you to check in on you from time to time, or drop a “gm” in the group chat.
Massive shout out to my boy Brandon, and the daily “Good Morning Top G” from our fantastic discord mod Lightso.
- We’re sometimes kinder to strangers than our loved ones. It’s important to recognize and work on that.
- You never know who you might have things in common with. Be open to meeting new people and even potentially making new friends from time to time.
- There are people in third world countries with infinite more problems than we have, yet they live happier lives than we do. This teaches us the importance of community and reaching out to each other.
- Say “I love you” often. You never know who needs it. You never know who may be hearing those words for the last time.
- Care enough about your loved ones to let them make their own mistakes. Care enough about your loved ones to be there for them, regardless of their mistakes.
Key observations and lessons of 2022 related to healing.
- 2 years cancer free, I’m beginning to forget what the anxiety of cancer and chemo felt like. Time indeed heals all wounds.
- There is no time limit on grieving.
- Smiling is a form of grieving.
- Life moves on, whether you’re ready for it or not. Try not to get left behind.
- Too much of what we know about food is wrong. Food can be our greatest medicine.
Societal observations and lessons.
- Most of us do not question things enough. Question everything.
- Learn how to process data for yourself and come up with your own conclusions.
- Stop buying things to impress people you don’t even like.
- Watching ourselves age is not normal nor healthy. This is a toxic side that social media presents that we do not talk about enough.
- Most people use social media as a brand portrayal rather than to be social.
- Most people are not self aware. Become more self aware.
- Do not use self awareness as a mechanism to beat yourself up over your flaws. Check yourself and remember the purpose of self awareness is to leverage strengths, while also enabling you to work on your weaknesses.
- Being kind to ourselves is difficult but beating yourselves up is easy.
- Giving love is easy, but accepting love is difficult.
- Daily journaling is underrated.
- Most people are good people; we often lose sight of that.
- Even the most extreme liberal and conservative people have much more in common with each other than they realize.
- Politics is an evil game designed to divide us.
- We seldom recognize when a debate requires logical, but not emotional reasoning, or vice versa.
- We can all be kinder to each other.
- Trust your gut feeling, always.
How about TPR? How’s life?
2022 was a great year for me personally and professionally. It was a year of pursuing some long over due personal ventures, as well as diversifying some of my interests and activities. It’s also a year I full of flaws and weaknesses I hope to work on as I head into 2023.
Observations and lessons about myself
- I don’t enjoy alcohol anymore. I don’t need to drink it. My life misses nothing without it, and gains nothing from it.
- I almost always regret apologizing in efforts of taking the high road or protecting the peace. Apologize only to those who deserve it.
- I self deprecate too much. Your body is always listening. Eventually you’ll even begin to believe the jokes you make about yourself.
- I am deeply flawed human being who is trying to improve every day.
- I have strong beliefs and opinions and that is a good thing.
- I am proud of the man that I am becoming.
- People will respect you for saying no, instead of giving excuses.
- Even if it’s a lonely path, I know where I’m going.
the opposite of bravery is not cowardice, but conformity
Earl Nightingale
My personal goals and aspirations for 2023.
- I’ve made great progress in terms of reading more. I plan on reading a lot more.
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is an important part of my life, but there is room to improve. I’m hoping to get into a consistent yoga routine.
- I’m hoping to date more. Displaying your strengths and being vulnerable with never easy. I haven’t given dating a good faith effort in years. It’s time to change that.
- I’ve always struggled with my faith and relationship with God, especially after my cancer diagnosis. Would like to work on that.
- Continue to improve on my character, expand my strengths, and work on my flaws.
- Consume less politics, especially during tensioned times or times I recognize that it’s affecting me emotionally.
- I’d like to learn a new skill. Maybe an instrument or learn how to code Python.
- Take more risks.
My most important thoughts of 2022.
If there is one thing I believe most in life, it is that we are a product of where we apply our energy, and who we surround ourselves with. You can’t be more than a pretty face if you spend more energy on your looks than reading and learning. Prioritize where you invest your energy wisely. If you discuss your situation with the wrong people, they will think you are bragging. Winners help each other win. Surround yourself with winners.
Social media is not real life.
You cannot win an emotional debate using logic. You cannot win a logical debate using emotion.
Mental health should be taken more seriously.
Life is beautiful.
Care to discuss or share with me your key observations and lessons of 2022? Tweet me @TPRx11