You know it’s bad when I — who couldn’t care less about sports — look to the words of a sports star for a way to assess what’s happening in the world. Of course, New York Yankee All-Star Catcher Yogi Berra isn’t just any sports star. He’s a legend whose quirky, often mangled, turns of phrases are part of his legacy. One phrase, in particular, is just right for this moment. It is, as he was wont to say, just “like deja vu all over again.” That it is.
Remember last December in the days leading up to New Year’s Eve? COVID infection rates were rising and hopes for a return to normalcy were crushed. With no vaccine yet, doctors warned against group gatherings and holiday travel. All the while, hospitals were crammed with patients sick with the coronavirus and health care professionals were exhausted from the round-the-clock care. Virtual was our go-to for communication and connectivity, the tool that brought the world inside. New York dropped its famous crystal ball but there were no boisterous revelers in the streets to echo the countdown.
I couldn’t have imagined that in December 2021 — post-vaccine — we’d be repeating much of what we experienced then: another round of COVID cancellations from the Rockettes, to postponing NBA games, to Harvard’s administration and staff going remote through most of January before the students return. And those latest CDC warnings about holiday gatherings and travel? Essentially ominous repetitive announcements that mirrored last year’s.
So here I am again, masked up with no place to go to be absolutely safe. I’ve tamped down my anxiety somewhat because scientists are more knowledgeable about the virus and how it mutates. And now they are confident the combination of vaccinations and booster shots can protect against most hospitalizations and death. But top doctors also know: nothing is 100% protective against COVID infection. So, I’m heading into 2022 with hand sanitizers, masks and that feeling of been there, done that.
Frankly, it’s a downer to be facing a New Year with a big part of my life already prescribed as a re-tread. I at least wanted the promise of a new beginning that leaves all the bad old stuff behind. And I wanted the imagined brand new me that comes with the start of a new year. But living in the age of COVID has helped me understand — again — life is short, and time is fleeting. That’s the central point of author Oliver Burkeman’s book “Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals.” Four thousand weeks is approximately how long you’ll live if you reach the age of 80. Burkeman, whose book has become a bestseller, offers a cold dose of reality, noting there is actually no time-management system to ensure that everything that needs doing gets done. A former columnist for The Guardian newspaper, Burkeman explored ancient philosophies and modern techniques for time management, concluding, “The real measure of any time management technique is whether or not it helps you neglect the right things.”
Profound in its simplicity, Burkeman’s statement reminds me that by neglecting the right things, I can get closer to what I want my life to be. 2021 and the ongoing COVID crisis has put how I spend my time top of mind. Not only do I have to be intentional about focusing on what’s important, but I also need to adopt a new sense of urgency about doing what’s important.
I’m heading into the unknown of 2022, putting aside champagne optimism and bracing for what may come with sober anticipation. Here again, Yogi Berra’s words resonate. The future, he said, “Ain’t what it used to be.” Goodbye 2021. You were certainly one for the history books.
