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<aside> 💡 This is my first public English blog article, aided by Eudic, DeepL, Grammarly, Notion AI, and ChatGPT.

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2022 has been a particular year for me and many others. At the end of 2021, I cannot predict the world will have driven us to a worse situation than I ever thought in 2022. It has been a challenging year, with the pandemic, rising prices, a struggling economy, and war in Europe.

I'm currently in Beijing, China, at the dawn of the end of the COVID era. I have to thank the pandemic and other events, to some extent, for allowing me to give up illusions, recognize reality, and take tangible action.

Since 2015, I have written an article each year to commemorate it. In addition to reflecting on my emotions, I think it is important to select several highlights from different categories, as they represent the most exciting, happy moments, accomplishments, and experiences of the year.

So, here are my personal bests of the year.

The best of 2022

Apart from the above specific things, here are my feeling and thinking about 2022:

  1. Everyday life is unusual. Our convenient and peaceful life, like fast take-out, mobile payment, delicious food and so on, is more fragile than we expect. People sacrifice something essential when using efficient outsourcing services, especially in China. We often overlook the convenience of modern life, but there have been times of war and turmoil in the past. We must remember that it is possible that similar events could happen again.
  2. Thinking ahead. In this uncertain world, it is necessary to consider different scenarios ahead and plan accordingly. It is essential to be prepared for the worst-case scenario and have a plan of action in place if things go awry. While this is a challenge, it is also essential for peace of mind. Security comes from being well-prepared in advance.
  3. Focusing on specific scenarios. As a product designer, it is essential to consider how the product would be used in particular scenarios. It is not just about users, but about the three-dimensioned user journey. It is easy to say buzzwords on products. However, I would ask if you could give me some real examples to try rather than watching PowerPoints.

Looking forward to 2023

As I look forward to 2023, myself facing a life-altering decision.

Do I go abroad for work and experience a new culture and challenges, or do I remain in my home country, where I'm comfortable, familiar and secure? Or, do I take a step back and further my education by attending a university abroad? Or, should I forgo these more structured options and instead focus on travel, seeing the world and discovering something new? Should I implant my missing front tooth in the motherland? How long will it take, and How about the danger? Should I just take my removable denture? ……

So many questions and so many possibilities, from Canada to New Zealand, from the Netherlands to Australia; I'm overwhelmed with the prospect of what lies ahead.

To face the uncertain world, I have several plans: