2021: Year in Review
2021. The year after the shit year that was supposed to bounce back and redeem itself but somehow every month presented some new threat like a Hunger Games arena (you know, the Catching Fire one). This uphill battle is going to take longer than we thought.
But between the plagues and wars and the wrath of Mother Nature, there were moments that offered glimpses of humanity, joy, and optimism.
This year I…
Woke up at 6am to watch a bell ring
Recently, I found an old video from my high school days where I was unabashedly talking to a camera sharing a haul of thrifted finds from Goodwill. Little did I know 10 years later I’d end up working at the world’s largest online thrift store leading up to a long-awaited IPO. Definitely a career highlight.
Although I’ve been at ThredUP for over 3 years, I’m still learning everyday, especially this year. I learned a ton about working in product and the process it takes to develop and build great products.
Got 3 very important shots
Remember how impossible it was to book appointments? Logging onto every pharmacy website at midnight to snag slots for my family members was frustrating, but also kind of fun. One of the defining moments of my year was receiving a text in the family group chat where my parents and sister shared their vaccine selfies.
To memorialize this special time in our lives, I made Instagram stickers that people are actually using.
Spent time with friends
This year was a year for celebration. Celebrating life, togetherness, health, freedom. Words cannot describe the fullness in my heart after spending time face-to-face with friends I hadn’t seen in two years. After the pandemic, I will never take hanging out for granted ever again. I will never skip out on an opportunity to see people because I’m feeling lazy. I’ll never be “too busy” to spend time with people I love.
Burned out
I spent a lot of time at home this year, which resulted in excessive workaholism. It’s way too easy for me to just sit in front of my computer and keep working through lunch and past 5pm, because I’m bored? Or somehow I feel like my work is my identity and my worth lies in my productivity and my achievements? Ugh, stupid Type 3 brain.
I’m bad at saying no and prioritizing. I have yet to internalize that just because I don’t have anything planned during a portion of my day doesn’t mean someone can just take that time away from me. More on this later…
Explored new corners of the country
Not entirely prepared to leave the country just yet but itching for new experiences, I took time off to explore San Diego, Boston, Maine, Chicago, New Mexico, Santa Barbara, and Las Vegas, as well as my fair share of staycations. I learned that mid-day naps are the secret to long travel days.
Upgraded to a point-and-shoot
At the beginning of the year I treated myself to a Fujifilm X100V and it’s changed the way I document life entirely. I can’t tell you much about the specs but it sure makes beautiful images with amazing film simulation modes. It’s lightweight, really good-looking, and perfect to bring along on walks, travels, or whip out to capture a moment in your everyday life in high definition. When it comes to gear, I definitely don’t believe in bigger is better. Here’s a recent shot of a sunrise in the Central Valley with minimal post-processing. Look at those colors!
Ran a lot
I spent most of the year “training” for a half marathon, which I successfully completed in September alongside Simon and thousands of other runners on a beautiful Sunday in San Francisco. As someone who (still) hates running, proving to myself I have the mental strength to carry myself through so much distance was a huge accomplishment. Also I like medals.
Made many drives up and down california
This is merely a fact as I feel I’ve grown very accustomed to the I-5 this year. Do I like it? No. But it allows me to visit friends and family without covid risk, even if I get stuck in post-Thanksgiving bumper to bumper traffic. Lesson learned: Don’t ever head out after 8 a.m. if you’ve got a long drive ahead.
Pictured: A particular foggy morning on Route 99, where tule fog followed us for over 100 miles on our way to LA from Fresno. Do not recommend.
Found a place to call home
Last but not least, the biggest change this year was g̶o̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶i̶n̶t̶o̶ ̶d̶e̶b̶t̶ buying a house! Simon and I finally moved in together, into this cute little house we plan to host lots of dinner parties and music jam sessions in. It’s the space I’ve dreamed of for years, a shared home full of warmth, love, and good food.
How lucky I am to share everyday life with my best friend and spend our days in an endless cycle of patching, renovating, replacing, or maintaining everything around us. Homeownership!
This year I adapted to a new normal of cautious indulgence as the world started to open up. I made plans with people. But we mostly hang out outdoors. I started going back to the movie theater. But also got myself a TV to enjoy entertainment from home. I’m happy to leave the house but also happy to stay in. Everything in moderation.
Moving onto more personal reflections. Every year I write about how I think I’m becoming more of an adult. But this year, when I look at young people, I truly cannot relate anymore. There’s a certain quality to the things I want to own, a routine to the things I want to do, a standard to the things I say yes to. I prefer a night in rather than out. I’m excited to fold laundry. I’m genuinely excited to find a discount on Turbotax in the newest Costco coupon book. Nerdwallet is my favorite website at the moment. Achievement unlocked: basic functioning adult.
I also learned about myself this year, thanks to the Wisdom of the Enneagram. As a success-driven, image-conscious Type 3 who fears failure, judgment, and inadequacy, I need to redefine success and happiness for myself. How do my thoughts of invalidation hinder my personal growth? What types of “truths” do I need to unlearn? Why am I obsessed with productivity? Who am I even trying to impress? Stay tuned for the next chapter of adulthood: confident grown-ass adult.
2021 in pop culture
Yay fun stuff! After a year of drought, I’m so grateful to the amazing music, TV, and movies, and quality entertainment this year has given us. Driver’s License, Silk Sonic, Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift, Adele, Girls5eva, iCarly reboot, Wandavision, Supergirl the final season, Hawkeye, 你好, 李焕英, Raya and the Last Dragon, In The Heights (I loved this movie so much I rewatched it 4 times and then listened to the music for 2 months straight), Black Widow, No Time to Die, Tick Tick Boom, Spiderman, SNL, and even the Olympics.
Notable First times
Attended (and photographed) a wedding with Simon, streamed a virtual wedding, streamed a virtual funeral, met friends’ babies, had omakase, experienced a full body massage, threw clay, explored Santa Barbara, had lobster in Maine, gave my dad a haircut, helped my sister move to SF, passed out candy to trick or treaters, went out for karaoke with friends, attended a surprise birthday party (for me!), decorated my living space, sang in public, returned to the office, mailed out Christmas cards, and celebrated 20 years of life in America.
new year’s Resolutions
Have less. Just because I have a home doesn’t mean I need to fill it with unnecessary things. And it definitely doesn’t need to look picture-perfect.
Monotask. I’ve been trying so hard to multitask my whole life and it’s just not working. I need to focus on doing one thing at a time, while being conscious and intentional and fully present. I no longer want to be running around from place to place.
Take a break. This year I moved past the hustle and grind mentality. I’m no longer fulfilled by moving fast, multitasking, and being busy. Next year I also want to set boundaries around what I can and am willing to do. Prioritize work-life balance and value my sacred time, attention, and energy.
Every year I end this blog post looking forward to the new year and exciting change to come. But I’m not feeling too blindly optimistic this time around. I think this poem by Rupi Kaur sums up why.
