Here we sit about twelve hours from a new year. 2021 was good and bad. Well, more bad than good, but that seems to be the way of the world right now. But I do have a slight glimmer of hope going into the new year. I think we have the ability to, if we all chip in, change the course of things that are going on right now. I'm more upbeat about 2022 than I was about 2021. But do not get me wrong, 2021 gave us some great things. Let’s discuss.

First and foremost, we were finally given a vaccine for COVID. I know it may not be perfect, it is a two to three shot system, but hey, this gives us a chance to return to "normal". I got vaccinated in March of 2021. I got my first shot at the beginning of the month, my second near the end, and got my booster in November. I know Omicron is a different animal, but my family and I have done what the doctors and the science have told us to do. My wife is boosted as well. My kids were able to get their shots in November of this year. I don't want Omicron to take away all hope from people. For those of us that got vaxxed and boosted, that is a big time deal. Science rules.

I was also able to see family and friends safely this year. After a year of not being able to do that, I was ecstatic when I, and the people I was seeing, felt comfortable enough to gather. I did not realize how much I missed that in 2020. My kids were able to return to school and sports. I know that right now there are things that may halt that, but I also know that, because of science, it will not be canceled. My daughter loves soccer. And my son is obsessed with basketball. It has been great to be able to coach again too. I did not realize how much I missed that.

My running has reached a whole new level in 2021. I run all the time now. As you all know, I ran my first full marathon this year, and it was a trail marathon. I almost hit 1500 miles running this year, just about 20 miles short.

My family was able to travel this summer. I am not the biggest fan of Gulf shores, but I had an absolute blast one year after having to postpone. The beach was rad and the running was hot and interesting.

My wife just keeps on going higher and higher at her job. She works a lot, but she also makes time for me and the kids. She is so excellent at what she does, and 2021 has more than proved that to me and everyone else.

I went to two weddings this year. I was masked, as was my family. But it was fun to be at such a joyous occasion in 2021. It was nice to be around smiling and happy people.

My brother, RD, got to go back to the theater for movies. He loves that. My other brother Seth, he got to go back to live shows. And my oldest brother, Ross, and his wife have taken their daughter, my niece, on actual real college visits for next year. All these things, and a lot more, have me kind of hopeful in 2022.

Even vaccinated people I know that have gotten COVID, they are better within three-five days, and none of them have had to be admitted to the hospital. I have also chosen to just not acknowledge anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers. I still wear my mask, I am obviously pro vaccine, so I am not going to waste my time with people that do not trust or believe in science. If they ask me why I trust it so much, I will tell them, but I am done trying to change their minds. It is like talking to a brick wall.

I am also done talking politics. I am as liberal and democratic as anyone can get. But I am sick and tired of being called out by crazy right wing nut jobs and people that do not vote for either major party. They are not going to change my mind and I am not going to change theirs. It is too much of a headache. I think that is what I'm going to do in 2022, that will be my resolution. I asked my family about resolutions, and I got a bunch of stock answers. For me, I'm going to go into 2022 with an open mind and I'm going to keep my mouth closed. I've been doing that for the past few months, and it has worked.

Long posting short, I feel better and my anxiety has gone down. So, and I'll say it again, I'm hopeful going into 2022. It is going to be a tough couple of months to start out, but if we can get through this, if we can start listening to scientists and doctors, I see things getting better, hopefully, by early spring. That is my resolution, my plan for 2022, being hopeful. Happy New Year everyone. Have fun and be safe tonight.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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