Part two of our “What is the one thing that you are looking forward to in 2021” question we asked our 2020 authors.
I am incredibly? strangely? naively? optimistic for 2021. 2020 for the WordPress project ended with a bang: a release made entirely of people identifying as women and non-binary. I look forward to supporting and mentoring contributors to the project.
I’m looking forward to seeing what new things the community can do with PHP 8. On a more personal level, I’m looking forward to seeing my friends and colleagues in person when possible.
My mother, the retired school teacher, used to tell her students that “you’re not losers, you’re choosers” when they would complain about their lot in life. Sometimes the options we are able to choose from are terrible ones, but you can get back some control of your circumstances by realizing that they are still just choices and in the future you can work to make sure your options to choose from are better.
One thing that gives me hope for 2021, that I am most looking forward to, is “Change”. Change can be scary when we don’t know where that change is taking us. We’re stepping out of our comfort zone, our established routines, facing the uncertainties in life without a safety net. But change can also be an opportunity to learn, to improve, to grow; not just as developers, but as individuals.
I hope in 2021 that this isolation reminds people of the greatness of their communities (no matter how they define them). And, when we can get together again, I look forward to a renewed sense of gratitude and compassion for those we have been missing for so long.
Hugs! Lots and lots of hugs.
Seeing people again without having to do the weird but necessary “we have to stay 6 feet apart”-dance.
Being able to have a beverage of choice in a relaxed atmosphere to discuss the world in general, PHP, pet projects and pet peeves with old and new friends.
Meeting people again from around the globe to share ideas, to agree and disagree, to enrich our own views with views we never even considered.
Being able to loose the constant watchfulness for keeping distance, face-masks etc.
But more than anything: HUGS!
For 2021, I am looking forward to enjoying free time to do what I like besides programming: walking, reading and walking. Thus, I hope to refresh my mind to be able to enjoy programming in PHP even more.
I look forward to the opportunities that are ahead in the new year, when the vaccinations will permit more freedom and certainly for people and companies to make bigger decisions. Since PHP is still one of the driving forces of online communication and e-commerce, we as PHP developers will have a lot of interesting challenges to look forward to in the new year.
For 2021, I’m looking forward to a return to normalcy. I eagerly await the restoration of normal life – dancing, live music, attending baseball games, and large social events; With Biden and Harris taking the reins in late January, I’m hopeful we’ll be back on track soon. Having someone at the top, who cares about the people, who’s willing and able to lead the country, is more important than ever.