As 2021 draws to a close. Here’s my review of the year that was, and hopes/plans for the future.

500 blog posts

Although it seems like only yesterday, way back in 2015, I stood on a balcony of The Pestana Casino Park Hotel, Funchal, Madiera, Portugal. popping a bottle of Champagne, overlooking the city below. I was proud. It was our Honeymoon, and I was making plans for the future. I felt I needed something in my life that was intimately personal, where I could express myself and be my own boss. Blogging seemed the perfect vehicle for this, but at the time it was a fantasy, something I could never have the time, energy, nous, or knowledge to succeed at. My research at the time revealed that 500 blog posts/articles was a yardstick to aim for.

Almost seven years later. this very article will be my 471st, with the 500th due early next year. During that time, I’ve surpassed my self-imposed, progressively higher traffic targets. It feels like I reached the goal I set that day on the balcony.

The most successful year ever

… And with that number of posts, I’ve had my most successful year to date. Up until this point, I’ve experimented with the blog setup and format, with varying results, settling on the current formula going forward. I’ll now be focussing on adding more content. Less tinkering for sure.

The return of Harson Robkus

Another highlight of 2021, and great to be back into collaborative songwriting, laughs, and some pretty serious video production! Most of all I’ve fallen back in love with guitar playing and expression in its purest form of creating something from nothing…

… Plus it was great getting back together with my old friend and one half of Harson Robkus: Dave.

In 2021 it’s become apparent we’re now in an over-sensitive, woke, cancel culture, so it’s nice to get back to stuff like friendly insults. constructive criticism and general silliness that is sadly getting out of fashion.

COVID

My COVID Diaries have now fallen by the wayside, but that’s because COVID became a way of life throughout 2020 & 2021. I’m not ashamed to say it’s taken its toll, to the point where my initial fear has been drowned out with a desperate, angry need to be getting on with life, and not have to deal with the inconveniences, restrictions, and drama surrounding everything, every single day. Respectfully, I’m exhausted with COVID. I’ve been triple-jabbed. I won’t speak of it again, I promise, apart from saying I am truly sorry for anyone who has been affected by this terrible virus.

The Day Job

Undoubtedly the personal highlight of the year has been that someone gave me a chance to prove myself, wipe the slate clean, and reward my qualifications, experience, and effort. A rare and welcome thing in this day and age. It’s been a long road, too long, but 2021 will be remembered as the year I finally began to fulfill my professional potential and can hopefully continue to do so. To that person and company, If they ever read this… I won’t let you down!

What of 2022?

2021 was life-changing, but I’m hoping for calmer waters for the blog, my career, and the epidemic I will no longer mention. More original music, more guitar gear through my hands, reviews, More fantastic contributors., more holidays, more fun! I get the feeling that 2022 will be more hard work, but less effort will be wasted. Bring it on!

I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to read, like, comment on, and contribute to my blog this year and since the start. I’ve loved meeting people (virtually) from all other the world to discuss our shared passions. Writing is something I discovered late in life, and it’s so humbling that (some) people seem to enjoy it.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you all, and I wish you, your family, and friends, a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Year’s

See you in 2022!

Signing off.

Adam.


Comments

One response to “Farewell 2021”

  1. Mayra sharma avatar
    Mayra sharma

    Who doesn’t love summer? It is the most fun part of the year but we need to make the most out of it. Not just fun and games but we also need to find ways to make our kids learn more through the summer by not cutting out the fun part. There are a lot of ways to make summer more innovatively educational as well as chill.
    Learn more: https://allroundclub.com/blog/creative-summer-learning-ideas/

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