2021 Reflections

Is it strange to say that I felt this year pass by like looking at something through a blurry mirror? It just doesn’t feel quite real that we are once again at the end of another pandemic year and waiting on 2022.

Alas, we wanted to put out some reflections about the year from both of us at Down the Rabbit Hole. Things that we learned, things that we’re excited for, things that maybe made us a little sad. We wanted to keep it real here and share more of ourselves outside books alone (but also including books ’cause they’re such a huge part of our lives).

1. Immigration stories hit me in the feels and I realize I shouldn’t be so quick to judge those who want/need to escape the life they were born into (read Love in English for example)
2. While travelling is off for me, I realize books provide more adventure than I ever anticipated before
3. Speaking of travels, I’m thankful for shorter distance travelling plans as I’ve come to realize it’s the people I go with that make the trip, not just the location
4. Just because I’m Asian doesn’t mean that all Asian experiences and stories will connect with me – but even with a little grace to experiences I haven’t gone through, I still stand by not perpetuating harmful Asian stereotypes to the wider masses, especially in literature (see So We Meet Again)
5. Life is super short, not just from seeing how fragile we are from disease but also from freak accidents, so I’m grateful for all my loved ones I can still hold onto (even from afar) this year
6. I want to do more things I’m passionate about and not because I have to/feel obligated to do them – so posting things I like and making blogging fun
7. Forgiveness is a healing process that takes time, but I am glad to say 1 year later, I am seeing the fruits of such healing (thanks to Forgiving What I Can’t Forget)
8. Love >>> our own need to voice every opinion (mostly unheeded) – if there’s one thing this pandemic has taught me, to love others is the braver and more worthy choice
9. Hope is not ignoring the reality – it’s looking forward to a brighter future with full confidence while acknowledging and acting accordingly in the present

1. Firstly, grateful to Andge for a fantastic year here at DTRH, and for suggesting a whole slew of fantastic series that I really enjoyed (see Six of Crows, Stalking Jack the Ripper, Shadow of the Fox, Caraval…)
2. Now that I’ve found something that I love to learn and do, I instantly know that it was right all along. Sometimes, you just know when it’s right, so I encourage you to chase that little inkling as it really can change your life
3. Time is fleeting, and really shorter than you ever think, so enjoying the present moment where we can be safe and together becomes increasingly more important
4. It always does a lot of good to try and see things from others’ perspectives. Listen more instead of speaking more
5. Everyone deals with the same hardship a different way – something that pandemic really proved. A little more compassion can go a long way
6. Relationships and friendships can ebb and flow, and there is no need to worry that you aren’t growing all your relationships at the same time (you don’t have the resources!)
7. Making time to rest is so much more important than squeezing in a little bit more work. Burnout is hard to recover from
8. Health is paramount. Don’t underestimate this!

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Hope you enjoyed hearing a little bit about how we felt about this past year – it certainly hasn’t been easy for most of us. What have you all learned this past year?