My 2022 Rewind – A Year for Slowing Down & Pressing Pause for What's Most Important

So red pill or blue pill?

*Collective sigh* Is she quoting movies now?

Yes, but hey, only because 2022 was the year I finally caught up with the rest of the world and watched, drumroll please… “The Matrix”. I know, I know, an absolute, cinematic cardinal sin that I left the 90s green screen magic and young Keanu Reeves hanging for so long! But to loop back on this single scene in the film, where Morpheus presents Neo with those 2 questionable coloured pills, I couldn’t help but think…

Did I take the red pill and live 2022 wholeheartedly, embracing discomfort and new opportunities or did I take the blue pill and remain in my contented experience of ordinary reality? Well, let me break the Matrix here and make up my own rule - what about taking the purple pill?

If 2021 felt like a wild speed boat chase building momentum after a stagnant COVID-riddled year, then my 2022 was akin to a gondola boat ride amidst an unpredictable ocean – marked by both rocky tidal waves and serene calm ebbs. Yes, I found myself in that adventure-seeking mode, craving the thrill of conquering the next challenge but 2022 was also a year that called for a lot of rest, retrospection and recovery.

To 2022, the year I fell in love with weighted blankets and foam rollers. To the year I grew an appetite for memoirs and science fiction and then became a sobbing mess reading “Pachinko”, “Crying in H Mart” and “The Vanished Birds”. To the year where I was emotionally moved by two rocks in “Everything Everywhere All At Once” and where I got stranded in a hospital carpark with a flat car battery.

Here’s to the year where I learned that the saying “measure twice, cut once” should also apply to hair clippers and trimmers (Sorry Dad!! You still absolutely rocked the bold look though!). To the year I became a fully-fledged matcha addict, weathered torrential storms to go camping and shamelessly binge watched all 52 episodes of a Turkish soap opera (because why not!).

And how could I forget 2022, the year I got a curly perm and looked like I was about to complete in the Squid Game. (Note to self, don’t forget to tell the hairdresser how curly what want your curls).

In last year’s rewind, I focused on the key moments that I was grateful for, of the small wins in an otherwise turbulent 2021. This year I want to cast light over both the ‘red pill’ and ‘blue pill’ moments where both challenge and peace filled my 2022.

My Favourite Moments Of 2022

?? 1.?Travelling & Nature

To 2022, the year where I scratched my travel itch. Whether it was solo adventures in a new city or unforgettable road trips with friends up and down the coast, there’s something liberating about being away from home. I learned to live in the present and embrace spontaneity because as I uncovered more than once, no travel plans ever go according to plan.

2022 was also the year I ventured off the beaten path to find solace in nature. Be it hiking through national parks, ascending the top of a mountain or sacrificing a bit of beauty sleep for that euphoric beach sunrise, I couldn’t help but find myself at ease in the wilderness.

Tell me, have you seen a painting called “Wanderer above the Sea of Fog” by German artist, Caspar David Friedrich? It’s a striking yet beautiful piece that captures a man standing at a cliff edge with his back to the viewer, simply gazing out onto a fog-riddled, vast landscape.

To me, that’s exactly how those quiet moments in nature this year made me feel. ?Utterly lost in the ‘sublime’, being held captive in awe and realising that at the end of the day, I’m just a mere person in the world with so much yet to do, discover and experience.

? 2.??Progress over Perfection

To 2022, the year where I realised the true meaning of “done” is better than “perfect”. For me, I came to terms with the understanding that sometimes, completing the task at hand, as flawed as it may be, is better than fixating and never getting it finished.

My takeaway - Expectation for imperfection freed me to experiment without fear.

When I write, I can pour the words out onto the page knowing they’re not New York Bestseller worthy, but that’s okay. All I need to do today is meet my word count goals and before I know it, I would already have a whole blog series written. ?

When I train for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, I don’t obsess over winning or losing, or whether my sparring partner is better. I spar with a purpose; “I want this position, I want this move, I want to test myself.” With that mentality I became better and officially earned my blue belt.

?? 3. Outrunning the Negative Self-talk

To 2022, the year I yelled incessant words of love and encouragement to myself, out loud to the eyes of alarmed spectators - all so I could finish a marathon. I apologise to anyone present that day who had to witness the banshee shrills of a desperate soul willing her legs to keep moving down the finish line, that was me.

That run was one of the toughest I had ever experienced so far. Tough because I made a promise to my brother that I would keep running, non-stop, no breaks during the whole race.

What was I thinking? Honestly, I must have hit my head hard that day because when you run, its more than just a physical battle, there’s a mental game of willing your body to not give into the lactic acid, the exhaustion and the pang of disappointment when competitors pass you by.

Tell you what, never had I been more smiley than when I saw that 'Finish' banner. In the end, I completed the race from start to finish – running the whole way through!

?? 4. Letting my Writer Voice Free

To 2022, the year I dared myself to write and share my thoughts online for 30 days straight. What started out as a fun challenge at the very start of the year (part of a ‘Ship 30 for 30’ course) became a productive outlet for me to express ideas and experiment with different writing voices. I got to meet some incredible authors and share in their interesting stories and world views. I felt inspired to write more, so much so that I ended up publishing 43 posts all up instead!

You can check out my social blog below: https://typeshare.co/julianguyen

??? 5. Appreciating Serendipitous Friendships

To 2022, the year where I found support, kindness and courage in the most unexpected places and people. It goes without saying that I’m always grateful to the people who have helped, inspired and motivated me throughout the year in various ways. I appreciate them all and am very thankful to have met them on my journey.

Whether it was the local SES crew for their patience and love for community during a harsh flood season. To my mentors who encouraged me to strive for better. To my colleagues who make the saying “dream work make the teamwork” a reality. To my professor and BJJ sisters, who always keep me humble and make every training session worth it. And of course, to my family and friends who have been constant pillars in my life. I felt like 2022 was the year where I deepen those relationships and showed the colours of my gratitude more vividly.

And so with that last 2022 highlight - that’s a wrap! There’s just one quote I want to leave 2022 with:

“Write down how you feel every day. Document the highs and the lows because our memory plays tricks on us, and revisionist history is a real thing. For every story carved permanently into my brain, there are 100 more that are forever lost. I wish I had every last one to read. You never know where life will take you. Whether someday you write a memoir, give a TedTalk, or just marvel at how far you’ve come, having a collection of memories and stories to build on is a gift.”—Candace Nelson

Here's to 2023! Bring it on!

Check out the previous Rewind posts here – 2020 & 2021.