The Ghost of 2022

A photo of my favorite food - chicken and beef biryani - which has nothing to do with this post.

2022 haunts me like a persistent shadow, a year that refuses to fade into memory. 

It's been two to three years since then, yet I find myself constantly trying to chase the tail of that remarkable period in my life. What makes it particularly challenging to explain is how everything seemed to fall perfectly into place – I wasn't just succeeding; I was striking gold with every endeavor.

The contrast with recent times is stark. The industry has undergone significant changes in my line of work. Everything from workflows to processes has been transformed, making it increasingly challenging for professionals like me to secure opportunities. 

While I'm grateful for my current clients who value and compensate me well for my services, I can't help but feel the weight of financial constraints. Savings have dwindled, and money has become tight.

What makes this situation particularly frustrating is my inability to replicate the success of 2022, despite working twice as hard and trying to work twice as smart. The landscape has shifted dramatically – AI wasn't even a factor back then. Yet here I am, still attempting to apply strategies from 2022 to a world that has moved on. It feels like I'm standing still while everything around me evolves.

The changes thrown my way have been difficult to adapt to, and I'm beginning to realize this might partially be my fault. I've been comparing my current situation to a time and circumstances that simply don't exist anymore. It's like trying to navigate today's roads using yesterday's map – the landmarks have all changed.

The ghost of 2022 has become more than just a memory; it's a measuring stick I use to evaluate my present success, and that's not fair to my current journey. I'm tired of letting this specter of past success paint my view of the future and influence my plans. I need to break free from its shadow.

This blog post is my way of processing these feelings, of giving structure to what I've been experiencing. By crystallizing these thoughts and breathing life into them through words, I hope to diminish their power over me. It's time to start fresh, to let go of the past's grip and embrace the present moment for what it is – a new chapter with its own unique opportunities and challenges.

While I can't deny the impact 2022 had on my professional journey, I'm ready to acknowledge it as a chapter that's closed. The future ahead might look different from that golden year, but perhaps that's exactly what makes it worth exploring.