If the year 2021 has a theme, for me, it would be finding space. A lot of things has changed since the pandemic, it's a continuous process of adjusting and adapting for me. But whenever I chance upon those "better days", I allow myself to hope for more...and that's when I step out of the place where I'm used to, and find space where I build dreams and look forward to something again.
One thing that represents me well, is the way I share my thoughts through the photos I take. From taking the photo and post-processing the composition and colors, I put my thoughts into it even when I know that it won't show much. I'm glad I came across this photo contest, I was reminded to look back and scroll through my camera roll and see what 2021 looked like. There were only a few photos, well a lot, but of the same things. So here's my 2021...a year of hard work to find rest.
Nature
These two photos show how our academic oval became a place of solace for me. It wasn't just because it's where I spend my evening runs and it's where I walk through when I have to route documents for work, the shade that the trees provide feels like a covering from the greys of living in the city. I have lived in the city for almost five years now, the pollution from the cars, the noise of a crowd, and the fast pace days consume the life out of me. It was so difficult for me to go through different lockdown restrictions, but our academic oval became a place of rest for me.
Slow mornings
Going home to our province became luxurious this year since transportation services were restricted. Now, we have to go through three bus rides just to go home. The few times I was able to go home were so precious for me, those were the times I would wake up early in the morning and walk in the farms with my parents.
Being able to spend a few minutes just basking in the light of the rising sun has become one of the things I've been so thankful for this year. I got used to waking up late in the day and missing this simple joy of seeing the sunrise —of having my days start early. Slow mornings are the simple yet precious moments I gift myself of.
Disconnected
Just two weeks ago, I was able to spend a wonderful weekend by the beach. It was a planned out of town trip with my friends. My busy work schedule didn't allow me to dive into the plans made and I was surprised when I found out that Internet connection was difficult to establish in the place where we were staying. The need to be always available online has made me so dependent on the Internet, I have to be connected to people. But here's an experience that reminded me of how great it is to be disconnected for a little while, and to truly connect with the people I am with. I shared stories, listened to my friends' stories, and watched other people enjoy the sound of the waves and the warmth of their company. We got our phones, only to take photos, to cherish and remember the moments of just simply living and sitting on the sand.
Riding the waves
The highs and lows of this year is represented in this photo. The morning after our lengthy catch-up, I was the only one who was able to wake up early. I went back to the beach, alone, and watched the fishermen ride the waves with their boat. It wasn't fancy, there was no motor that would assist their sail to the sea to catch some fish, but the two set sail. As I watch, I noticed how they didn't really go face to face with the waves, they chose the change directions every time the wave would allow them to move forward.
2021 was a good one, despite all the things that have happened within and out of my control. It wasn't really a beautiful year and 2022 seems like an extension of that season for me. Nevertheless, just like how different angles give us different a perspective, I would choose to do the same. I would look at the same situation over and over again and see the light through and through until I get to the tunnel's end. Hope is what keeps me moving forward and I don't plan on giving up on Hope. Cheers! Thank you for reading and reaching the end of this post. 🌞♥️