Things I'm bringing to 2022

We can only hope things get better from here.

New year, new me? Prolly not. Sorry not sorry! | Photo from Pexels.com

For almost two years now, the better part of the globe continues to struggle with a pandemic. For all of you people of the future, I hope you’re in a better place now and, yes, a pandemic happened in 2020 which sent my mental health spiraling down – but I would assume you already know that.

The pandemic was somehow managed by the end of 2020 with all the safety protocols and discoveries of vaccines, but 2021 saw a life that’s relatively closer to “normal” than that of its predecessor. With it, came personal discoveries that I’ve only known about and would 100% bring to 2022 – and, possibly, even beyond. Here’s a quick list of what those are!

1. Grooving to hyperpop

Growing up, I’ve been exposed to a wide range of music: from ancient, to classical, to the entirety of the American Songbook, to the discos, the pops, the EDMs, I’ve surely listened to them and fell in love with at least a song in each genre. Although I’ve sworn loyalty to Lady Gaga and Mariah Carey, I’ve continued expanding my horizon when it comes to music. And that’s when I stumbled upon the sub-genre of pop called “hyperpop.”

Let me dissect what hyperpop is using the limited knowledge I have about musicology. Hyperpop is like pop but there’s heavier emphasis on the use of electronic effects, high-pitched tones, and full-on bass, giving a chaotic feel to the music. From the name itself, imagine if someone who’s on a high dose of caffeine suddenly decides to create music at 3 AM. That’s essentially what hyperpop is. It somehow also falls between pop and EDM since it usually has some sort of repetition akin to the former and a very dance-y beat like the latter.

I can’t fully explain how this music makes me feel but the words “hyper” and “energetic” will have to do for now. All I know is that there isn’t one thing that can explain how I fell in love with the meaning of the lyrics behind some songs like Token by Roma Radz and how I got hooked with the production of songs like ВЫШЕ ВСЕХ (Above All) by Egor Nats. This genre is surely a motivator for me and bringing it to 2022 is a definite must.

Check out this hyperpop playlist by Spotify and see if you’d also get hooked!

2. Practicing witchcraft

This is probably a controversial-yet-brave type of thing but, after being free from the shackles of religion fanatic-institutions, I found myself gravitating towards bringing back my early roots of dwelling on the paranormal and the occult. Clarification, I’m not practicing the “dark arts” but more of a considerably paganistic belief such as that of believing in the power of crystals, tarot cards, and my third eye (a topic best reserved for another conversation). Of course, I’m sensible enough to draw the line between spiritual and physical, i.e. a medical emergency calls for a doctor and not an amethyst, so there’s that.

In all honesty, I somehow felt like my 14+ years of attendance to Catholic schools made me indoctrinated with a belief I don’t 100% subscribe to. I mean, do you really think a God would love us but only under some conditions? Again, religion is probably best reserved for another conversation but 2021 gave me the freedom to explore and, in 2022, I’d probably do more exploring.

3. Learning languages

A few years back, in college, I had to attend two Spanish classes and I felt like I wasn’t able to fully enjoy learning the language simply because it was a mandatory thing. Forcing anything to me (e.g., in an assignment or a study-this-then-take-a-test basis) makes me hate it more than seeing the silver lining of how I can use such concepts in my life, professionally or otherwise.

Recently, I’ve challenged myself to study Spanish and Russian – a language with a somewhat different set of alphabet than Latin. The self-learning set-up is quite harder than I expected, but it’s been much more enjoyable and rewarding. Anytime I can understand a Spanish text or read (but not yet comprehend) a Russian phrase without the help of Google Translate, I feel more empowered to learn more.

Initially, as a writer, my motivation to learn new languages was simply because I envisioned myself translating my own works across different languages. Now though, I’m more motivated by the thought of learning different cultures and meeting different people, unstopped by a language barrier. This 2022, I hope I can study enough to, at least, be able to have conversations in Spanish and Russian.

4. Reading books

It wasn’t long ago that I was still a college student so I would understand if you’re confused by this. But, hear me out, like learning languages, reading books (no matter what the genre is) feels so tasking because they are forced on us. I hated having to do book reports or assigned readings because, let’s be honest, it’s much easier to look up book summaries on Shmoop, GoodReads, or even Wikipedia. If you’re still not happy, check out YouTube! A lot of YouTube channels have dedicated themselves to dissecting common books and you might just find your assigned reading there.

In 2021, after I graduated, I opened a book: The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan. Too young-adult, I know, but I enjoyed each and every page of that book. I was so invested in the story that I felt like I was wherever Sadie and Carter were. But, it’s not only in fiction books that I started exploring my love for literature.

Caitlyn Doughty’s Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs, Mat Auryn’s Psychic Witch, and Gretchen McCulloch’s Because Internet piqued my interest and I’ve been shuffling these books ever so often. This 2022, I’m planning to expand my library and finish reading at least 12 books by the end of the year. Fingers-crossed!

5. Safeguarding my mental health

Lastly, if there’s anything that 2021 taught me, it’s that I only have one mental health and it’s something I need to prioritize. This 2022, I’m gonna do just that. I know that being able to safeguard one’s mental health is a privilege in and of itself and I recognize that I am fortunate to have that decision.

I realized that there’s really nothing more important than having a peace of mind. Our problems will never end; solve one and another pops up. As we grow older, this is just the reality we all have to face. But, in the midst of all the kerfuffle, there’s only one thing we can control and that is whether or not we will fight for our sanity. This year, you bet I’m gonna be my best protector.

With how we have been living through the pandemic, we can only hope for better days. Until then, let’s try to enjoy what we can – and that’s called realistic positivity.

What are you bringing in 2022? Let me know!