Mo Kim

On paper, 2022 is not an year where I accomplished very much.

I did not study enough Spanish to become fluent. I basically completely gave up on running. I fell two books short of my 15-book goal on Goodreads. I wrote, like, two blog posts and one poem outside of work. And I discovered that maybe now was not, in fact, the best time to enter the stock market. And honestly? That’s fine. The truth is, shit was hard this year: I’m sure that I’m not the only one who felt like their head was barely above water. Just being here, typing these words at 3AM from my mom’s couch, feels like a feat in itself. I’m proud of myself for making it. I’m proud of you for making it, too.

Most of all, I’m proud to look at the pictures on my wall—to see all of the little memories I’ve made over the last 12 months. I found the courage to leave my teaching job and take a leap of faith into college counseling. I fell in love with the gym (and fell on my ass so many times I’ve lost count). I started renovating my apartment, making it feel more like a place I can invite others into. I continued growing as an educator and a leader. I entered the happiest relationship I’ve ever been in. And most importantly, I deepened old friendships and forged new ones. This year may have been a struggle, but y’all are truly a blessing. (And I’m sorry that I’m still really bad at responding to DMs. I promise I’ll get back to you soon if I haven’t yet.)

2022 brought change. It pushed me to take inventory of my life and values—and I’m glad to say that though I’m still figuring out what comes next, I feel happier than I have in a long time. And as difficult and uncertain as the world in 2023 might feel, I’m grateful I get to be here and live through it with all of you.