A year in review: 2009
December 30th, 2009 by I am boon
This has been a fairly successful year for me. In some ways, in has been my most successful “transitional” time period.
I have this idea that periods of time spent between big phases in life are known as “transitional” time periods - a bit like being stuck in airports in transit between flights… it’s something you have to do, but given the chance you might opt out.
I’m not a big fan of transitions. I hated moving out my house an into my new apartment a few years ago, and I hated it even more when I moved out of that apartment and sold everything to come to London. Granted, I did it only because I was dying for a big change in my life, and I’m glad I made the move… but things never go smoothly during transitions.
So, when I say I’ve had a successful transition this year, I’m saying it with caveats. I’ve successfully completed the Masters course at UCL, acquired a fulltime paid position at a local startup, and am still charmed by London as a city. I’m overall grateful for all these blessings.
However, I’m aware of the sacrifices I’ve made to get here. In some ways, the course represented a sort-of hiatus from my career as a software developer. It also represents an opportunity to a new career in user experience and human factors. So, combining the two - it feels a bit like I’m neither here nor there. It feels like I’ve lost a bit of time to do some soul searching, and now I’m having to play catch-up.
The good thing about transitions is that they only last so long. And because they’re transitions, you’re almost always spending that time preparing yourself for the next best thing.
Too often I freak out and get overly anxious during transition periods, when I should be sitting back with the comfort of knowing that the next phase of my life hasn’t even really begun yet.
I think 2009 represents that transition period for me - and I’m welcoming 2010 as a real start to my next phase in life. So, with much gratitude and anticipation, I bid 2009 goodbye, and I welcome the next year with open arms.