My reflections at the end of 2020
Feeling grateful, editing life, doing good, and hoping for a better 2021
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It is hard to believe I am at the last post of 2020. I am sure this has not been a normal year for anyone. Abnormal years are also thought-provoking ones, and I would like to sum up my thoughts and lessons from this year.
Forecasting is impossible. A year ago, I would never have imagined that this is how 2020 would have been. I assumed that the global and social order would stay relatively similar to 2019 and the years before that. I didn’t expect a pandemic that is still going on, closed borders, a two month circuit breaker and the slow reopening after that. Even at the start of the pandemic we all thought it would be over by June. I am reminded of how futile it is to try and predict the future, and how little control I have over the universe. Building spare capacity, so that I can weather changes and adapt to new things quickly is more important than trying to play the long game with big, speculative, decisions.
I am thankful for being largely insulated from the impact of the pandemic. This is the most direct impact I have felt from global affairs. I think this shows just how insulated my life has been from global problems for the past 32 years. Even now, while the pandemic is still at large, my life continues in relative normalcy and comfort. This is through no skill on my part. I feel extremely lucky to be protected in this way, and have much to be grateful for.
Editing life. Editing life is a major theme for me this year. I avoided the worst problems of the year, but things have not been completely smooth sailing either. The pandemic made me aware of a need to be more critical about every aspect of my life, to pay attention to what is secretly sapping my energy without any real value.
As a result, I cut down on consumption and upkeep. I buy less physical possessions. To avoid a feeling of backlog, I curated and culled email subscriptions and content sources. To reduce social media time-sinks, I unfollowed all instagram accounts who aren’t personal friends - I’ve been feeling that business or news related instagram accounts post too much content with little real value to me.
Mentally, a big breakthrough has been to get used to doing nothing. I realised a barrier to me being present with Joy or other commitments has been this irrational need to be productive on something else at the same time. I also simplified my personal productivity system to only keep track of things that are truly important, and not let myself be distracted by lesser tasks, or feel stressed with too much to do. As I experiment further and refine this, I will write a post on it in future.
Doing good is not a bonus, it is mandatory. I used to think that making a positive impact and doing good was merely a bonus. As long as I am not causing harm to others, my focus should be on bettering my own life. If I have some spare money or time, I can engage in small acts of charity, but I have never been a proactive member of society. Ever since reading Obama’s essay - How to make this moment the turning point for real change - triggered by the George Floyd riots, I increasingly realise that my original view is too naive. I must make more effort to make a positive impact. I have a duty to do my part to make the world around me better. I thus hope to try and participate more actively in creating value for the community. If you know of people in need, or projects which could use a helping hand, please do feel forward to link me up!
I hope 2021 is going to be better. Years are arbitrary. The problems of 2020 do not magically end on 31 December and 2021 comes along as a better year. But, I do hope that with vaccines starting to roll out, we have turned the corner and are entering a better human age. The 1918 pandemic left many design decisions that continue to survive now. Likely, our lives will be influenced by the events of 2020 for a long time. I hope that we learn from this and do much better in future. Personally, I am sick of mask wearing, seeing awkward social distancing signs everywhere, and hearing about all the ways humans are being irresponsible. On the other hand, I do welcome improved public hygiene, respect for personal space, and reduced commuting.
Merry Christmas and happy new year!
James
Thanks for reading! What has 2020 been for you? I’d love to hear how this year has changed your life or your thoughts. Has this caused you to decide to do anything differently?
Let me know by emailing me at jameschanwz@hey.com, leave a comment, or starting a conversation on whatsapp.
Other things I’ve found interesting this week
“Recognizing that people’s reactions don’t belong to you is the only sane way to create. If people enjoy what you’ve created, terrific. If people ignore what you’ve created, too bad. If people misunderstand what you’ve created, don’t sweat it. And what if people absolutely hate what you’ve created? What if people attack you with savage vitriol, and insult your intelligence, and malign your motives, and drag your good name through the mud? Just smile sweetly and suggest – as politely as you possibly can – that they go make their own fucking art. Then stubbornly continue making yours.” - Elizabeth Gilbert
The flex commerce era - Ana Andjelic
Knowing why we buy things is useful so we can cut out unnecessary purchases. This article discusses how we use the things we buy to demonstrate our status.