“There comes a day when you realize
turning the page is the best feeling in the world,
because you realize there's so much more to the world
than the page you were stuck on."
- Zayn Malik
Turning Pages
And just like that, the sun has nearly set on 2021. We're not sure how your year has been, but it's probably fair to say there have been ups and downs, especially as the world continues to adapt to the ever-evolving presence of COVID-19. It can often be tempting to jump headlong into what comes next when the present hasn't been as rosy as we'd imagined, and when the year comes to a close, most people focus on new beginnings rather than endings. "What can I do better?" "What I can I add to my life?" "What should I be developing, building, expanding?"
While these are all worthwhile questions, we want to encourage you to take a moment (or more!) before December leaves us to sit with what has been and ask yourself what you might benefit from reflecting on. Are there lessons you've learned? Are there things that have held you back? While searching for closure isn't nearly as exciting as setting off on new adventures, it can prepare you to head into the unknown of tomorrow with a sense of stability and empowerment.
So, as the clock ticks down to the end of another year, we challenge you to take stock of how far you've come in the past twelve months. What were your goals? Did you meet them? Why or why not? After you've reflected, give yourself the grace of acceptance and forgiveness. You're only human after all. Didn't finish that novel? That's okay. It doesn't make you any less of a writer. Forgot to bring cookies to your kid's holiday bake sale? We promise it doesn't mean you're a terrible parent. You're supposed to make mistakes. You don't grow otherwise. The trick is in allowing the mistakes to help you evolve rather than letting them eat you from the inside.
That being said, by all means, set those resolutions. We're 100% here for your desire to hike the Appalachian Trail or bake your way through all the challenges in every season of Great British Bake Off. Just don't forget to take a little time to bid this year a proper farewell. Whether you feel like it was a good year, a bad year, or something in between (as they usually are), you'll feel a lot better setting the groundwork for 2022 if you've made peace with 2021 first.
From all of us here at Joy Editing, we wish you a safe, warm, and joyous holiday season. We'll see you again in the new year!
- The Joy Editing Team