Not looking forward to 2022. Anyone else?

[AlbertBridge]

I usually get excited and optimistic at the thought of a fresh new year. But this time I'm not looking forward to it at all. "Same shit, different year" is the phrase stuck in my head!

Anyone else feeling unexpectedly deflated about 2022?

Sadly, I don’t think it will be same shit, different year I think it will be worse shit, different year. The rising cost of fuel, food, energy bills and interest rates will cripple most of us. I suppose we’re lucky that we set up a new fixed energy tariff just before the rates went crazy but everything else will cost us more and more.

I think it will be worse shit, different year.

😱 I wish I could believe you're wrong - but I can't. Corrupt governments, crumbling NHS, struggling schools, prices skyrocketing...

rocks in the corner

I am wondering if I will make it through the year - CV covid is Russian Roulette. If my healthy 74 year old dad gets it - will he die? Will my DS attempt suicide again or will he hurt someone else instead?
Will thousands die of covid? Will people I love and many others not be able to access vital health care - such as the poor poster where an ambulance won't come for a suspected heart attack? Will kids suffer permanent health issues beacuse they don't see a doctor on time? Or will it be better than SAGE predict?
What about the environment - it's mostly too late. I'm not seeing anything positive.
I'm not seeing the opportunity to leave these 4 walls let alone go on holiday. Will it be another 12 months before I see family?
I suspect many will get though 2022 and wish they hadn't had to go through it. The suffering in this world is immense and without solution.
When I feel like this, I would think the kindest thing for humanity would be for an astroid to wipe out the earth.
But there may still be sunsets, walks in the open air and laughter on the phone

I'm feeling OK about it - we know now that summer time seems generally to be all right, I've booked a holiday abroad for first time since 2019, I feel I've got a better idea of risks and unlike this year we don't have any Big Events that meant I was extra-cautious about doing stuff because we really didn't want to be ill around a certain time.

Yes, there will probably be bumps, but we have to accept that. The first two months of the year are probably going to be pretty crap, but I knew that would be the case months and months ago so kept expectations low.

I think this might be the year there is some kind of return to going to the office and seeing my colleagues a bit more, hopefully will get in more than one trip abroad (have not left UK since December 2019, First-World problem, I know)

@AlbertBridge

Sorry, I reread your OP and it's the very first line!

😂

I don't think I've ever felt like that about a new year, which is why I asked.

Really? See, I think maybe your way is more sensible. But you don't dread a new year - you just feel "meh"?

Well, I suffer with depression and existential despair which reaches a peak on new year's eve. So on new year's day I'm just like, well, thank fuck that's over. Which is kind of positive...

I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in November so suspect 2022 is going to be a year of treatment for that, just had surgery and find out what treatment is next on 14th January so cannot say I am looking forward to 2022 and need to avoid covid so my treatment does not get delayed which at current rates means isolating all the time. DD has gcses and that is all a government shambles and DS is asd and still mute from last lockdown and first year of gcses. We cannot get to France to see DHs family due to covid rules, asd fears and cancer. So difficult year ahead.

But I have a lovely thatched cottage, lovely husband and children, 4 great pets, enough money so I can stop working unless I want to, met some amazing people also with cancer, at least if we go into lockdown the hospital visits will mean I get to go out and hopefully be end of 2022 I will have killed the cancer. I have just booked a UK holiday for the summer so something to look forward to if not the holiday I had originally dreamed of but will see puffins and Edinburgh etc. I also have just made a great contract for future work and he is really kind with my cancer and is waiting for me. Husband is doing all the cooking and looking after me very well, same cannot be said of the cat who is getting very jealous and clearly has not heard that cats are supposed to look after sick people.

My January appointments are at present, 7th covid vaccine, 10th will, 14th cancer surgery biopsy results and treatment plan and dentist so hard to feel enthusiastic about that. But inbetween can exercise, listen to music, watch TV, read etc.

Well, I suffer with depression and existential despair which reaches a peak on new year's eve. So on new year's day I'm just like, well, thank fuck that's over.
Which is kind of positive...

I love this! We'd 💯 be friends on real life. I'd love to spend NYE with you, and just sit in the corner ranting about the pointlessness of it, drinking champagne. 🥂

@Silkieschickens wishing you the very best of luck with your treatment

@AlbertBridge

Well, I suffer with depression and existential despair which reaches a peak on new year's eve. So on new year's day I'm just like, well, thank fuck that's over. Which is kind of positive...

I love this! We'd 💯 be friends on real life. I'd love to spend NYE with you, and just sit in the corner ranting about the pointlessness of it, drinking champagne. 🥂

Sounds fab!

I was so full of hope that 2021 would be better than 2020, I can't summon any enthusiasm for 2022

This is exactly how I feel. I had such hope for the vaccines, eg. I hoped they would help much more than they have. I was terribly naive.

Ah @AlbertBridge thank you. I can't wait to be drinking champagne and breathing a sigh of relief!!
@AfterEightMintyCedric I hear you on the wine and the waistline

@Silkieschickens

Your attitude is wonderful - you sound like a lovely, inspiring person. I'll be rooting for you that, this time next year, we'll be celebrating your health and happiness.

Good luck with everything. My December calendar was all medical - treatment for gum disease, gynae for period problems, covid boosters... It's hard to get excited. 😆 But you sound brilliant.

I am massively looking forward to 2022.

I have had a very difficult couple of years and am now in a position to address some of the issues that have caused me to stress out and have poor mental and physical health (nothing to do with covid bizarrely)

@happychristmasbum Oh good! That's lovely to hear.

@mistermagpie I could have written all that word for word.

I think to get back into running is partly the answer, fitness allowing.

Make yourself get out there again!

@AlbertBridge @Lostinafield

i always look forward to a new year,no matter what. Mostly I look forward to planning things in my garden again, come spring time, and also,I am an oldie, and still here , I don't get despondent and down,about all the things that have been going on now, as they were much worse in the times when I was born.

Do you think we can get out of this mindset somehow and look forward to it? Is there anything fun happening next year for you?

My garden. Whatever shit happens in the world, planting bulbs (or anything really) is a practical exercise in optimism.

I look forward to seeing new and returning plants start to grow (again) and bloom.

I'm normally very enthusiastic about a new year, but I just feel wary, weary, and tired.

I've worked as a front line nurse this throughout, and will continue to do so - I'm just tired - like many people are, I suppose.

On the positive side, my life is pretty good otherwise - I enjoy my work, and I still have a job - many haven't. I'm generally a happy camper.

If 2022 were a horse though, I'd be lunging it before getting on...

@Silkieschickens I think we can all try and take something from your outlook on life, I know I will.
Good luck with your treatment.

@1forAll74

I am an oldie, and still here , I don't get despondent and down,about all the things that have been going on now, as they were much worse in the times when I was born.

Have you ever read about the happiness curve people go through in their life? Essentially, our happiness tends to follow a U shape, with happiness peaking at age 20, going downhill until we reach 40, then going back up again as we approach 70. You must be riding that second wave!

I'm just coming out of the nadir.

My parent was diagnosed with MND at the beginning of this year. We've spent the entire year on pins every time they get an infection or have aspirated whilst watching their body deteriorate around them.

I feel heart sick that 2022 is going to be more of the same, and the probable reality that it'll be the year we lose them as most people don't survive more than 2 years post diagnosis, but MND is utterly unpredictable so we might be tortured in this way for the forseeable future.

There is no positive to be found with this disease. It's fucking cruel and undignified.

However, my young children don't need to see the dark cloud that's consuming me so making mini positive plans with them so they don't look back on the 20s as being years filled with anxiety and sadness I really am aiming for this

[quote AlbertBridge]@Cuddlywaterfall

The year of my divorce, I stayed up to hear the Big Ben chimes and felt the biggest feeling of relief that that horrible year had finished. Everything has been so much easier and happier ever since. It's horrible when you're going through it, but the aftermath is BLISS. Honestly. [/quote]
I'll second this! Definitely my experience for 2020-21 despite the pandemic. Fingers crossed for you.

I’m sorry for everyone who’s struggling at the moment.
I’m struggling too, and also feeling like I’ve got nothing to look forward to. I’ve had a horrible year with a lot of loss, and I’ve been knocked back so many times I’m struggling to pick myself up. I’m feeling depressed for the first time in ages. I’m on antidepressants which have been extremely helpful, but I’m certainly dealing with some sort of PTSD now.
Sigh.
Maybe I should write a list of everything I’d like to do or achieve this year, but I don’t even have the mental energy for that at the moment.

@AfterEightMintyCedric I will join the FB group now! Thanks for the recommendation. It's something else I can add to my list for 2022 that's positive.