Is it time to reflect yet?

On disappointments, small victories, and finding gratitude in an imperfect year.

It’s that time of the year again… The skies are getting darker, the weather gloomier, and the mood slower.
“Can this year end already?” many of us are thinking.

Especially those for whom this year has not been so kind.

If you are employed, you are probably at the centre of the end-of-year pressure — performance reviews, goals, next year’s budget planning, and whatnot.

If you are unemployed, then it could be even worse. End-of-the-year blues can definitely hit hard at this stage. Who wants to celebrate the New Year when there is nothing new to celebrate?

No matter what your current situation is, when you start looking back at the last 12 months, you can think of many things that didn’t go your way:

The offer that didn’t come.
The weight you didn’t lose.
The exercise routine that didn’t stick.
The friends who went silent.
The relationships that went weak.
The dreams that got shattered.

It’s human nature to amplify negative thinking and conclude that this was a hard or bad year.
But reflect for a moment on all the small things that did go in your favour.

The number of times someone genuinely said ‘thank you’ to you.
The moments you bit your tongue to neutralise a conflict.
The patience you exercised with your young kids or elderly parents.
The nights you cried yourself to sleep, only to wake up and start afresh.
The times you tripped and fell, but stood up again.
The ‘no’ you said to others, and the ‘yes’ you said to yourself.

Looking back at my own year, I am overcome by nothing but gratitude.

My first post here on Substack was about first experiences, something I originally wrote as a LinkedIn piece — and honestly, I was taken aback by the response it got. Just a simple reflection winning likes and hearts. Really? It reminded me that people still care about the simple things in life.

And this is how Life, Revisited started this year.

I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions, but my motto this year was to be experimental.

And what a year of first experiences it turned out to be.
First time I launched my own blog and newsletter on Substack.
First time I appeared on video on social media.
First time I published my own eBook - SIMPLY Content.
First time I actually opened my own company - A.S. Comms.
First time I pitched my services to prospective clients.
First time I attended a PhD defence ceremony as a paranymph.

But before you think this is a self-praise or celebration post, let me assure you it’s not. Because behind and after each of these successes was a series of disappointments and letdowns.

I made no money this year.
No fancy vacations or outings.
No new clothes or accessories.
I was ghosted and rejected several times from several opportunities and connections.

My year wasn’t perfect.

It was a mix of good and hard moments. But what I value most is that I had a year of good health. I have family and friends that I cherish.
Jobs, opportunities, and money are all important, but they only matter if we are well enough and have people around us to enjoy these things with.

I am leaving this slightly early end-of-year reflection for everyone who struggled to find an opportunity this year:

Don’t give up. Keep trying and experimenting. No experience is ever wasted.

What are your reflections on this year? The good, the bad, the confusing parts that fall into no category — I want to hear them all.