2022 Year in Review

WARNING

Another year has passed in the blink of an eye.

I quietly turned eighteen, crossed the so-called “single-plank bridge” of the college entrance exams, and stepped into the “long-awaited” university. Having walked such a long road, I eventually realized that all the mountains and rivers were just ordinary after all. No earth-shattering events—just peaceful days that, upon closer reflection, smell like the warm belly of an orange tabby cat basking in sunlight. Ah, this year has been somewhat of a daze.

I used to be a philosopher, constantly fiddling with ideas, spirits, and critiques, pondering human meaning, value, pursuit, and purpose. But I don’t do that anymore—I’ve learned silence instead. Scrolling forums, playing games, binge-watching videos, becoming a drunkard in the age of entertainment. Who even has the energy or ability to distinguish truth from falsehood these days? The pig that stands out is the first to be slaughtered—better to be a breeding pig. Life, after all, is just a game, a fleeting pleasure.

Through the seasons, I lost dozens of friends, faced a few disappointments, gained a few new friends, and found a bit of poetry. The world is terrifyingly vast, dark, and empty. Smiling faces are everywhere—some genuine, some fake—but not a single one belongs solely to me. Most faces are hidden behind thick layers of masks, leaving no chance for connection. Confused and constrained, I’m like a fish in the city’s pond. Whether choking back sobs or weeping softly, it all dissolves into bubbles. Human connections—ah, crowds are the loneliest places of all. People are born as islands, and no depth of longing can fill the chasm between them.

Here I go again, spouting strange words. Anyway, this year has been quite happy—I’ve never been one to deny the past.

Watched a few movies, read a few books (though not many), truly got into galgames, listened to a lot of music, and wandered into the world of folk songs. Just trivial little things, hardly worth mentioning. Only when gilded by the glow of memory will they shine.

For the new year, I hope my family stays healthy and my grandmother lives a little longer. As for me, I’ll keep striving, improving, and making the most of my dwindling youth. Life is as fleeting as a mayfly’s—I dare not ask for academic success or wealth anymore. But love? I hope it lasts.