Hello friends, and welcome to my annual reflection upon the year. The final hours of 2022 are ticking away, and to me, there's something about the calendar year coming to an end that always invites reflection. Although the naysayers who downplay the significance of the New Year are technically right - January 1st is just another day - I don't think the significance of taking a moment to reflect can be overstated, and I reckon that the end of another trip around the Sun is a good a time as any to take stock of where you're at in your life.
If 2021 was a step in the right direction away from 2020, then 2022 took the baton and ran the length of the whole track. In so many ways, it feels now like everyone has picked themselves up and fully reclaimed their lives from the clutches of a worldwide lockdown, and in many cases, reached greater heights than those of their pre-pandemic selves. This year has certainly been a year for change in my world, with a plethora of moves going on, from new jobs and promotions, to house moves. Friends have moved from one town to another, to London, and even across the Atlantic. Change brings opportunity for growth, and I've seen it in spades this year (I even wrote about it). It's been truly great to see family and friends achieving their goals and having things come to fruition for them. After such a long period of stagnation and frustration, this year has been a constant stream of catharsis, bringing no end of good news stories, successes, and causes for celebration.
It's fair to say that I was stuck in a bit of a rut at the start of the year. I knew that there were major elements of my life that needed to change, but I felt constrained by the very habits and crutches I had built for myself, and it was difficult to decide which element to work on first. But - after some perseverance, good fortune and a lot of hard work, I have found myself in a much better place; geographically, mentally, monetarily, physically and spiritually. Like putting a jigsaw together, as I addressed each area of my life, the picture became clearer and the rest of the pieces of the puzzle began to fit together. It's genuinely been such a novel and refreshing year for me in so many ways because of this infectious desire to seek self-improvement - what started as simply getting "on top of things" soon became a more all-encompassing desire to question my previously-held beliefs, to revisit things with a fresh perspective, to improve, and most of all, to keep on doing it.
The world truly felt like it had fully "opened" again in 2022, and I absolutely made the most of that. I've seen more than fifteen bands play live this year, including particularly magical performances from Fleet Foxes and Phoenix, two radically different-sounding groups - one soothing folk from NY and the other an indie pop group from Versailles - who are always fighting for the coveted spot of "Elliott's favourite band". I've written a multitude of times about my love of music and the effect it has on you, and I maintain that there is nothing like seeing some of your favourite music being performed live, in a room full of people who feel the same. I think the highlight this year for me had to be Phoenix, though. They'd dropped off the radar for a few years for me after a slightly underwhelming album in 2017, but came back in a big way with their new album, Alpha Zulu, this year. A group of us went to go and see their show in Brixton, and I think it's fair to say we were all astounded at how good they were. Their setlist was an eclectic mix, hailing from their extensive back catalogue, their performances were energised and infectious, and their stage design was mesmerisingly well-crafted. Arches comprised of thousands of LEDs layered to simulate depth lit up the show, and displayed an impressive number of landscapes, backdrops and flashy effects that paired perfectly with the show. It felt like an amazing comeback show for my (arguably) favourite band, and it reminded me of just how much I love seeing live music with my friends.
This year has been a year of meeting up in person for nerdy hangouts; Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, HeroQuest - they're all wholesome multiplayer experiences that are best played in-person with a few of you around the table. It's so refreshing to have been jumping back into communal hobbies that don't involve looking at a computer screen. It's been great to reconnect with people in person over our shared hobbies, as well as meet new ones. I even discovered a cool local board game cafe that does an amazing peanut butter hot chocolate.
I treated myself to two new subscriptions this year - a gym membership, and an "Unlimited" cinema ticket. Both of these have had heavy usage; I've managed to make going to the gym an (almost) daily habit during the week. I've missed a few days here and there, but the main thing is that for the overwhelming majority of days where I haven't wanted to go to the gym, I've still made it there. I'm feeling a lot healthier as a result of my habit, and I've managed to lose over 9kg since joining, which I am proud to have been able to maintain, and to make continued progress on as we enter the new year. I no longer resent the idea of going, and just - do it. Nike were onto something there.
As for the cinema membership, it's been a great enabler in letting me take chances on things. I love just showing up for films, having seen nothing more than the name, the poster and the genre. For 90% of the films I've seen this year, I've come away very pleasantly surprised by the experience, because I went in with almost no expectations. From summer blockbusters, obscure art house films, limited runs of documentaries, anniversary showings of old classics to sweaty marathons of The Lord of the Rings, I've definitely had my money's worth.
Speaking of having my money's worth, my railcard has been a godsend this year. Living a literal stone's throw away from a train station has its perks - I've made many trips to and from London, Birmingham, Manchester and everywhere in-between, and again it's just felt great to be able to get out and about for concerts, dates, exhibitions, nights out, trips to see friends and family, city breaks and holidays. My world had felt increasingly claustrophobic, closed and constrictive over the last couple of years; but no longer. I finally got around to visiting Edinburgh this year, which was every bit as beautiful, historic, welcoming and vibrant as I had been told it was. I spent another lovely week in Cornwall, by far my favourite UK holiday destination, and almost an annual pilgrimage for me at this point. I visited countless people's lovely new homes, and even moved myself. I'm hoping to travel abroad next year, but as for this year I am very happy with the trips I've taken.
I finally got into a rhythm of writing poetry on a regular basis, and found the courage to share them. Sharing any kind of writing always feels like you are making yourself very vulnerable, and I've found this to be especially true for poetry. Nevertheless, I've written and shared 24 poems this year, some more personal and vulnerable than others, but all pieces of work that would not have existed had I not committed to sticking with my desire to write. I've written a couple of short pieces of prose that I intend to keep working on next year, but for now I am just pleased to have made a start at all, and to have a place to share them.
From payrises and new jobs, to moving house and weddings, I couldn't have wished for a more fortuitous year for the people in my life. And looking back at this year I can honestly say that I feel proud of where I am, and how far I've come. I'm excited for what next year holds, but right now I am just content to be celebrating the end of what has been a year of change for the better for so many people around me.
Below is just a small sample of what a year I've had. I'm astounded at how many more photos I have from this year compared with last year, and I think that is testament to how much more I've done, and to the truly wonderful people that I am blessed to have spent my time with in 2022. ♥
"The dos we did outweigh the don'ts we didn't."
- Harry Baker, poet
