There Is Much To Celebrate!
2016 has been a very tough year for many families and friends. It has been filled with seemingly endless emotional, financial and unpredictable struggles. Many things I have read over the past months, coupled with lengthy conversations, remind me of how rock-bottom and trapped I felt in 2014 and 2015. By putting “key to screen” to touch on my past 365 days, I hope I can fuel your fight for better in the coming year (if you need it).
You see, in the two years leading up to this current one, I was living (not by own choice) in a city I despised. Apart from my incredible “soul-client” of Deutsche Telekom, I was also responsible for a group of brands which could suck the living joy out of any idea and any person. (Think Dementors and then think worse.) Outside of the office, I had not made a single friend in the 18 months in this new country and with my real mates all living somewhere else, I was just miserable and very alone.
Yet looking back, I am grateful for this horrible predicament because the problem (and many others with it) festered like a big zit on my face until it grew so big I couldn’t ignore it anymore.
So I quit my job in the very beginning of January. At 23 years, it was the longest relationship I had ever had in my life so it wasn’t easy. But to change I needed to transform. Within one month I moved back to my beloved Vienna. This decision is more significant than you could imagine. In the hours I spent in solitude with my thoughts I realised that I had moved country over 20 times in my life but none of these relocations had been my idea. They were brought on by my parents or employer. This move “home” to Wien was all my decision. Just for me.
Then suddenly the power was mine again and a roll of positive change began.
I got to see all my friends often: for fun, when they needed me, when I needed them or when something significant was happening in our lives. Wherever in the world, I was suddenly available. Moreover, I got to make many new friends along the way.
Despite the killer Europe-Australia distance, I became closer with my family than ever before. So much so, we have just celebrated our first-ever, unforgettable family Christmas in the snow.
I cut my income in half, downsized my living arrangements and yet I want for nothing. On the contrary, my quality of life has got even higher.
I visited Iran. It was one of the best experiences of my life and nourished my soul. By no longer travelling 200 days a year for work, I have re-discovered the joy of travel. Trains are now my preferred mode of transport as there is a lot to be said for a life in the slow lane.
The move to Austria also came with a forethought acceptance that jobs at my level don’t exist. That simply shined the light on my path to expand my creativity onto different canvases like children’s books, novels, screenplays, urban hacking & more with the first results to hit shelves and streets over the coming months. These were all things I had always dreamt of doing and I am now living them. I have got into the habit of saying yes to things I have never done before.
When the time was right and I already made strong headway on this new creativity “by Jason Romeyko”, the universe unexpectedly sent a new opportunity my way and for the past few months I have been collaborating with a generous new team of people in fresh circumstances across fun ideas.
Looking back at 2016 I am grateful for all the family, old friends, new friends, colleagues, the strangers, creative awards, ideas, memories, laughter, food, champagne, wines, holidays, encouragement and luck it has brought my way.
There are things like love and romance which have eluded me but you can’t have it all at once and at the same time, right? Besides, I have to have something to look forward to.
Don’t misunderstand me I did have my low moments here and there but I won’t let them spoil my memories of this year. They do not deserve a mention. They are simply part of the balance and are no-where near as painful as the years gone by.
While my situation was and is unique to me, the principle of needing darkness to push you towards the light is universal.
If 2016 was tough for you, trust me, the sun is near. Fact. Although, you might need to get off your butt and look for it. For, like all good things it doesn’t simply “come to you”. You have to meet it. It takes different forms like fresh sunlight, or rainbow colours refracting through an object reflecting on the floor or even sometimes as a patch of warmth on the wall. But wherever you are, believe it is trying to get to you.
Don’t assume for a moment, I did this all on my own. I wouldn’t be in this place without my family, Bauer and friends. You know who you are and I thank you often in person. I listened, embraced and took a chance.
So, knowing that there are some friends who (like I did) may need some help finding a brighter space I make this sincere offer: reach out to me and let me help you find it. If I don’t know the answer to something, chances are I know someone who does. (But you really really have to want it or it just won’t work.)
So, on this last day of the year, despite being bedridden with fever, I share my gratitude for these past 12 months and raise my heart to you all wishing you a wonderful slide into 2017.
There is much to celebrate!
