Optimism, fatalism, anxiety, sadness, calm, indifference, joy, worry, pragmatism, serenity are some of the mixed feelings everyone has had over the past two years.
Is the pandemic preventing people from making plans?
What if the proper resolution was not to take any resolution? Every year, there are numerous studies about new year resolutions and plans, regardless of their dimension. But every year, the results are more or less the same. People tend to give up on their goals as they indulge in their daily routine. However, it is essential to differentiate between projects that we don't really believe in and those we actually work on. The first type comes back every year. The second - which is the subject of this article - relates to projects in which we have invested our time and efforts, even though they haven't developed yet. These are usually travel plans, dreams of starting a business, retraining, better family life, reconnecting with oneself, etc. Whether they are material or more personal projects, they involve a lot of reflection, organization, and decision-making. But since December 2019, the Covid pandemic has been disrupting, and things really worsened in March 2020. Has it buried the mere idea of having projects? Are we supposed to live on a day to day basis? Fortunately, pragmatism and projection are now on the same level. Basically, living on a day to day basis looks like a project in itself?
To leave or to stay?
Sché sums up the difficulty of making plans amid a health crisis: “If it were up to me, I would have moved somewhere (within the EU), with at least a scouting trip in 2022. But the Covid and our finances won't support this plan for now." With the Omicron variant, vaccine inequality in the world, job loss, wage cuts, etc., it's quite challenging to look forward, especially with a family. Sché admits that she has no other choice but to wait for better days with a spouse who is not very keen on travelling and an infant. “I'll just wait for the moment when we're both ready to discuss it with better insight into the future." The Covid has increased the need to delay plans and consider a plan B. Paradoxically, this same Covid is tempting people to move overseas. For example, Usinamiss, who has been in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) for 4 years, wants to live a new adventure: “In 2022, I shall reach out to new horizons! I just have to choose which one!"
Leaving is quite easy until the borders remain open. But each country reacts differently to the detection of new variants, with some closing their borders without more delay. Many students, working holidayers, professionals, etc., have been affected by these emergency policies. Sverige dreams of a peaceful life, in Brussels, with his children: “I love life in Brussels, and what I want for my children is proper education and a bright future. Unfortunately, things are not improving here." But the difficulty, in his opinion, is to find a long term employment contract. Still, he hasn't given up on his plans. "I hope that the year 2022 will be much better than this one on all levels, especially health, economic, social ... Peace and love! "
Accepting failure, being resilient
After several failed attempts, Australia finally reopened its borders to vaccinated holders of a Working Holiday Permit. In Japan, things remain tricky for travellers. A "bad dream" for students who are not allowed to travel, especially with the Omicron variant running. Although 78% of the population is fully vaccinated, Japan remains closed or almost to international travellers. All visas issued before 12/02/2021 are suspended until further notice and no longer allow entry into Japan, with a few exceptions. The Keidanren (Japanese Businesses Federation) has been urging the government to change its policy for months but in vain. But optimism remains. Many believe that the Omicron will pass like the other variants as long as people have access to vaccines.
Mirana's testimony is a good illustration of pragmatism and resilience: “In 2020, I lost everything. Job, failure, etc. I moved abroad and found myself stuck in an 8m² apartment. But paradoxically, things are not so bad nowadays. I am starting a professional training. I have no moving plans, at least for now. I am learning to grasp happiness wherever I find it. It's not easy every day, but it's okay." Sché shares similar thoughts. She is currently developing her own business, hoping to help those who, in fact, have lost everything because of the pandemic:" We will make it."
Dreams of creating and starting a business
In February 2020, the World Bank looked into the economic consequences of Covid-19 on businesses? The study took place between October 2020 and January 2021, taking into account 120,000 businesses in more than 60 countries. The turnover of these companies dropped by about 27%. For a quarter of companies, a 50% drop was reported. But the majority (65%) did not lay off their staff. Other options were considered, like reducing working time, wage cuts, adjustments to paid leaves, etc.
Conversely, other companies have seen a rise in their turnover. For instance, the Bastide group, specializing in the sale of medical equipment, had a 16.3% rise in its turnover for the 2020-2021 period). Other sectors such as animation, video games, and luxury have also flourished during the crisis.
For Olivair, 2021 has been a year of growth: “2021 will be a ramp-up the company we have started in the Philippines. We import and distribute prestigious French brands. Our customers, mostly individuals, do not hesitate to invest in 90 to 350Kg customized stoves. Installations are already planned until June 2022." In this entrepreneur's views, the year 2022 looks promising. He has already defined new projects and wishes to showcase the know-how of the great Filipino chefs: "Our 2022 objective will be to develop the professional range with stoves built by our professionals in France for more than 200 years. These are already used by top chefs in over 30 countries. Great Filipino chefs deserve it too!"
What if the current situation was paradoxically a springboard for the future? Struck by the pandemic, the planet is also shaken by natural disasters. The recent deadly tornadoes in the United States have left the world speechless. Earlier, it was the storms Ida and Uri (United States), the floods in Germany, Belgium and France, the forest fires in Algeria, Greece or Turkey, the earthquakes in Haiti and Japan, the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano, in the DRC, in La Palma (Spain), the famine in Madagascar, a consequence of global warming. Yet, at the same time, countries were torn apart during the COP26 and only reached marginal agreements.
Alerted by climate change, Togonontogo wants concrete action: "I am looking to create a plastic recycling company and relaunch my environmental education projects." Axel, who has been an expat in Kinshasa for 3 years, is also very eager to help the locals in their everyday life. "But the problem is the lack of resources". How can environmental issues be addressed? States themselves are torn between economic pressure and a climate emergency. However, the two are not irreconcilable. In the coming years, the main challenges will be reconsidering capitalism, or, for the most avant-garde, changing the paradigm and moving towards degrowth.
Redefining the relationship to time and space
This is perhaps the greatest challenge of the moment. Appreciate the present moment. The Covid-19 had an impact on all benchmarks and requires us to step back before moving forward. This is the journey of two expats, Mars and Goaa. Mars has been living in Portugal for 4 years with his family: “We're fine there and haven't planned any change for 2022. I will keep on developing my business here." Goaa, on the other hand, looks back on the lockdown. Currently in France with his wife, he views it as an "extended vacation" which allowed him to enjoy the essentials. “We are renting a small 25m² apartment in Paris, but we have the immense privilege of having a terrace and a garden. Therefore, we were able to get the most of the beautifully pleasant weather during this period. Goaa, however, recalls that 2020-2021 has been a "difficult and painful time for most people". He has an empathetic thought for all those who are suffering physically, psychologically or emotionally.
Is this the right time to move? The question remains unanswered almost all over the world. Travels within states have surged, boosted by the lockdown trauma. As Goaa points out, balconies, terraces, gardens, and space have taken on paramount importance. Congested megalopolises are losing their inhabitants. As soon as they have the means, they prefer moving to the outskirts or more medium-sized cities that are more accessible financially and provide more space. Others are reviving old dreams or considering new projects. Thinking differently and daring are other consequences of lockdowns. For Goaa, the main thing is to "get the most of the present time. We have decided to move to Spain in a small cortijo (small farm, country house). All we want is a quiet place to enjoy nature because we realized that we didn't need much else."For Jean-Luc too, happiness is nestled in everyday family moments and in "small projects" such as "a trip to Denmark in June, to see the beach, nature, etc."
Optimism, pragmatism, resilience, simplicity, serenity could be the keywords for 2022. Moving abroad can be part of a new relationship to time and space. So whether you are planning an international relocation, professional training, remote working or continuing your activities, going green, preparing for retirement or your children's future, creating a business or making a dream come true, 2022 opens up all the possibilities.
