Yet another review. This has become a thing in the last couple of years, so 2022 won’t be any different. And even though I haven’t photographed and posted a lot this year, still a lot has happened. Again. But hey, that’s the beauty of life, isn’t it? So what has happened this year?
Photography
Photography has not been a primary focus for me this year. 2022 started out with a cool assignment, which I put quite some thought and work in, but in the end, it didn’t pan out. At all. I’ve not been on any photography trips as I used to know them. No road trips that span multiple days to a week. I miss that shit, and should do it more again! But my photography preferences have changed, and the guys I went on these trips with, still love to do the urban exploring type. I like another type of urban exploring now, instead of abandoned buildings, I’m looking for life more.
I did some day trips and a weekend to Cologne. In Cologne, I shot with Jenny and met up with my online (and offline) buddies from the Lichtbild Kollektiv. One day trip was a bit of location scouting in Belgium, one was with Mascha to Germany, same thing, a bit of scouting and catching up. And I spent a day in Amsterdam with a cool Facebook group for street photographers.
Alas, not many of the photos have been shown, because I’ve been hopelessly unsatisfied with my own work. Except for some first dabbling in landscape photos while wandering with my dad.
And, some ideas were born that I am working on and will continue working on for the next couple of years.
Life
Life was a trip in itself in 2022. I had ups and downs, but in general, I came out ok again. So what’s been happening?
Work
2022 was a year where I switched jobs again. This is one of the main reasons I haven’t been taking photos that much this year. I worked at an IT company that did not feel like a good fit fo. The work I did seemed to go towards the career path I desired, but the way the company handled it was not so good. This brought a lot of insecurity and doubt, so when a couple of my teammates decided to switch to another company, I took a look at their job offerings, got in touch and after a couple of conversations, I made the switch.
It’s been a great decision for me this year. I finally got to work in the field I’ve wanted to work in including the official title, instead of being used for the work, but never getting any real recognition for it. The company is super cool and they hold their employees in high regard, something I haven’t seen like this before!
Another thing happened. I don’t work at that cool tattoo studio anymore. And that’s ok.
Friendships
Ever since I moved back to Tegelen, friendships have been growing steadily. Still, a lot has changed. Some people I thought were friends have proven otherwise. Others have proven to be real friends. And old friends, even though I haven’t seen them that often, still are there.
It’s proven to be a challenge sometimes to stay in touch, but I’ll attribute that to the job at that cool new company and my work at the tattoo studio. Now I have more time again, I can spend more time with friends again, too!
Maybe I’ll plan a photo trip again next year with my good friend Sven. I miss that stuff!
Family
I’ve been walking with my dad at the start of the year, training for the Venloop, a 42.195 KM hike. I love spending time with him like this, we’ve grown closed than we ever have before because of these wanderings. In the end, the training hasn’t been enough for me to walk the full 42.195 KM. I quit after 30 KM, with blisters the size of my whole heels and more, and severe pains all over my body. It was a wake-up call to work on my health and body a bit more!
Next to that, we as a family have grown closer. The idea my sister had to go out and have a drink and a bite to eat for birthdays instead of a present has proven to be a winner! Thanks, sis, I love quality time over presents any time! With all of you!
Love
And last but not least, 2022 has been quite the year when it comes to love. Of course, there’s love for myself, which has grown considerably over the last year, and there’s the love for friends and family. But there’s also that “I want to spend as much time with you as I can, without us smothering each-other” kind of love.
I was at a point where I didn’t feel like it was going to happen for me anymore. And I was okay with that because I was okay with my life and dealing with my own stuff. I have my friends, I have a cool job, and I can spend my days without being bored or feeling lonely. What else do you want?
And then it happened. I met someone, and the chemistry was spot on. Is spot on! We do spend as much time as we can with each other. We talk. We laugh. We do stuff. We fantasise about the future. We plan for the future. We also both know that a relationship needs putting in effort and honesty, and we’re both committed to making this work. It’s beautiful!
So all in all, 2022 was a great year again! As you can read, it was a year of connection on deeper levels for me. With family, with friends, and even with colleagues. I seem to have grown to know what I want more and act accordingly more and more. Life is change, life is adapting, and as I grow older, I grow more content, more confident, and happier. Looks starting to understand the stuff that’s really important to me.
And next?
Who knows what 2023 will bring? I’m not making any new year’s resolutions, except for being loving to myself and the people around me. I’ve learned more and more that I can just let things happen. Sometimes you have to navigate some turbulent waves in the sea of life, but there’s no way of anticipating them fully. So, again, with an open heart and mind, I’ll make the best of my life, and that of others.
~ B.B.
