Well, look at that, we have reached the end of 2021. And what a ride it’s been! Still, we’ve made it out the other side alive. Or just about. I guess I’m a little bit less bright-eyed and bushy-tailed than I was at the start of the year, but at least I have my health.
Here’s to a good 2022. Yes, it may not be ideal given the general state of the world right now, but we can always make the best of what we have. And that’s what I plan to do. I hope I can make a lot of progress as a writer, and keep this site well-stocked with new content.
But before we say goodbye to 2021, I would like to look back at some of the things that I have managed to do this year.
One of the biggest things I did this year was start this website! I started it all the way back in April, which feels like a surprisingly long time ago now. I was inspired to make it by one of my university modules, which was all about employment and starting our career after university. We were advised that making an online portfolio to display our writing was a good idea, so I quickly started coming up with concepts.
I came to the name Teabox really quickly. Firstly, it plays on my lifelong love of and obsession with tea (off-topic: I wonder if tea reviews would go down well here?). Secondly, it forms a bit of an obscure pun with my pen name, though I don’t think anyone has really noticed it yet.
Then, I came up with branding; my little tea logo and blue and yellow colour palette. My colour choice is a bit of a homage to my old online identity and branding, which used a slightly eyesore-y bright purple and luminous yellow colour scheme. I guess the palette has gotten softer and more mature as I’ve grown as a content creator. I love the way it subtly connects me to my past and my earliest days of trying to make YouTube videos over eight years ago, maintaining a sense of a creative spirit that I have been nurturing since I was thirteen years old. I’d like to think thirteen-year-old me would be incredibly proud of where I am now, and I hope I can keep up that creativity for many years to come.
Secondly, after my first year of university was relegated solely to the internet, 2021 was the year I was finally able to move out of home and live independently! It has been a very interesting and rewarding ride, and I have grown to enjoy my independence. My cosy little student flat is a very nice place to write, and it is a welcome break from the distractions of my parents’ home. I am currently visiting home for Christmas, and I do feel a bit silly that I was homesick over this.
Thirdly, 2021 is the first year that I have ever taken myself somewhat seriously as a writer. Though I don’t want to put all of my eggs into one basket, I really have come to the decision that writing is what I want to do with my life, whether it’s through my career (I have been exploring a lot of options, though I still feel a little bit intimidated) or a very passionate hobby (whatever happens, I will keep on writing!). For the first time in many years, I have hope for my future, and I feel like I’m moving in the right direction.
So whatever 2022 throws our way, let us try our very best to make the most of it and have a good time. To all of my readers, wherever you are in the world, have a Happy New Year!