The Year of triple 2s with an O is here. Well, if you’re reading this article probably because you came across it through the social media platforms, you’re likely to have seen the meme citing something like, “When you realise 2022 is pronounced 2020 too”.
2020 was definitely not a pleasing year. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic steered many to discover or develop new interests or habits, some businesses bloomed, many reunited with families but on the other extreme end, the disruptions and casualties it stirred out-weighed its pros.
2021 could be labelled as a somewhat a tepid state of rollercoasters and in-betweens but the world witnessed a positive curve progressing as the calendar approached its end.
2022, here we are! Pretty sure everyone’s been hoping for this year to be kind to each to their own wishes and plans. Perhaps, here are a few reasons highlighted among the many to look forward to.
1. Vaccination for all ages edges closer
Vaccination drives globally proved to be the crux towards immunity and prevention from the virus. So far, more than 9.2 billion COVID-19 vaccines have been shot worldwide, with most of those people receiving two or even three doses. With developed countries vaccinating children between 5-18 years, the only age group without a vaccine assigned is children below 5 years. Pfizer anticipates having clinical trial data available for children of 2-5 years by the end of the year and for those between 6 months and 2 years by March 2022. while in India vaccination of children between 15-18 years have been assigned recently marking a light in the pandemic storm tunnel.
2. Year of the Tiger
According to the Chinese calendar, 2022 is the year of the tiger. People born in 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 and 2022 are labelled as those born in the Year of the Tiger. The 1 st of February will be celebrated worldwide will by several communities as the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Tiger. According to the Victoria and Albert Museum, people born in the Year of the Tiger are assertive, courageous leaders. Also, Prada and Gucci are linking their Chinese New Year Campaign with a good cause for 2022.
3. The World Cup
Even if you’re not a football fanatic, one cannot simply be not excited for the FIFA World Cup hosted every four years. Flags and banners hoisted at homes, shops and roads etc., of participating countries by fans to live matches being steamed on the television and across the internet worldwide. The anticipation and excitement are contagious uniting people together on a global scale. The major sporting event will take place in Qatar from November 21 to December 18, 2022. Though teams will be competing in Qatar, qualifying matches are on the run.
4. The Olympics
Summer Olympics in Tokyo was not long ago, being postponed a year amidst the pandemic which was a hit. Within less than a year later, the Winter Games are to take place in Beijing from 4 – 20 February 2022. This will be the first Winter Olympics in China. Freestyle skiing, Figure skating, bobsleighing, and snowboarding are the most popular sports among fans on the lookout. Watch out for Bing Dwen Dwen, the mascot for the event, sporting astronaut-like clothes indicating that the winter Olympics embraces advancement of technologies and new innovations.
5. New Movies
2022 arrives with whopping packages of movie blockbusters and sequel flicks to the theatres. With “Spider-Man: No Way Home” logging more than, it could suggest a new equilibrium for the film industry. ‘Batman’ starring Robert Pattison, Top Gun’ reprise called ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, ‘Super Mario Bros.’ starring Chris Pratt as the iconic Italian plumber, ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, John Wick: Chapter 4, Thor: Love and Thunder and many more are movies you cannot miss.
6. Space Exploration
If your curiosity for space explorations and expeditions is on track, you’d probably be aware of the James Webb Space Telescope launched on Christmas day last year which would take about six months to reach its destination. Gear up to see the cosmos as it scans through in pursuit of exploring galaxies formed at the inception of the universe.
7. Personal growth and self-care
Prior to the pandemic, the practice of self-care and mental wellbeing had always been in place. But at its onset, these practices have been prioritised even more greatly through virtual or physical assistance and peers greatly influencing crowds that follow similar wavelengths. The social media algorithm has in fact greatly cajoled the trend by attracting its users to identify their emotional needs and connect to like-minded individuals or groups as a way of interaction, growth and self-care at both ends of the aisle. Small things make up for your merriment. For instance, starting your day with a hassle-free breakfast, completing a workout session, a visit from a friend or a loved one, watching a new movie all adds up to one’s mental and physical well-being eventually contributes to a happier and optimistic you.
Cherish every small and big thing that makes you happy and content truly, and make 2022 a year to reminisce.