What was the last year for Mageside and what we expect in 2022?

Hello, readers of Mageside blog!

We're on the threshold of the new 2022 year and it's the best time to dive into the memories. We've experienced a lot together as a team and each one of us separately. Everyone from the Mageside team is a part of our big family and besides regular work cooperation, brings a piece of his own life into the team. So what was 2021 like for the Mageside team?

We have witnessed the creation of families among us, the growth of families by childrens' birth; we have traveled, celebrated and supported each other, but let's take turns.

Together with our families and our team, we started 2021 with celebration at the office. We created the atmosphere of the holiday with Christmass attributes, bright lights, decorations with a fireplace and a Christmas tree. Each of us was a secret Santa for a colleague, who was randomly distributed in advance.

It was fun and nice to receive unexpected gifts and try to figure out the secret Santa. On the same holiday evening, we presented our gift for the front office - a collage of photos of precious moments together. We all had a good time flipping through photos and remembering different moments together.

Also, on winter weekends we gathered together to have winter fun with sledding and skiing. In autumn, we went to the forest, cooked delicious meals on the grill and took quests of vigilance and agility. In the summer, we traveled around Ukraine. We visited the famous fountain in Vinnytsia, the aviation festival near Cherkasy, the arboretum "Sofiyivka" and many other places.

This year we traditionally gathered around to celebrate International Women's Day together on March 8 and Defenders and Defendresses of Ukraine Day on October 14. Since most colleagues work remotely, every offline meeting is an opportunity to be in touch and to have a good time as a one community.

We also had a huge party on behalf of our CEO’s birthday with different cocktails and a presentation of our special-made Comic Book called "Superheroes of Mageside" where all of us were illustrated as superheroes. Currently, we are working to update our website design in accordance with that concept, so we hope to surprise you this year!

We worked really hard and 2021 turned out to be a challenge for everyone. We all needed a trip to reboot. So the Holiday in Turkey became one of the brightest memories of this summer for many of us.

What did the year 2021 teach us?

The whole year has passed and we have a lot of memories now. So we started thinking about what 2021 taught us. We are comfortable working as a team, because each of us strives for improvement as an individual and as a team member.

This year I have learned a lot of nuances regarding the tasks we have to deal with at work and it allows me to feel more confident.Oleg

Constant learning is necessary.Alexandr S.

Learning and skill growth is interesting and allows us to keep abreast of current trends in the digital world. It’s very important that we can discuss the acquired knowledge together and could help each other to understand some challenging work moments.

In order to gain some experience and succeed in something new, you don't need to overwork yourself. Variety of tasks is a key.Valera

This year has brought me a lot of interesting things, from a professional point of view. I learned React and how to deal with GraphQL.Dima

I've gained even more professional practical skills. If you are motivated, you can gain all the knowledge you need!Viktor B.

Sharing different experiences broadens the vision. This allows us to be more flexible in the face of challenges both at work and in life. It's always a good idea to consult with someone else. Sometimes the other person may bring completely new vectors or decisions.

In 2021, I deeply realized that unambiguous situations are extremely rare. You have to look at everything from different perspectives.Svitlana

Conversation is the key to solving 90% of problems.Olha

Of course, the lives of many of us have changed since the beginning of the pandemic. We change the way we used to work (not from the office) and try to be focused regardless of a constantly unstable quarantine situation.

This year I realized that having a car is expensive.Igor

Now I even more value the freedom of movement and mobility :)Oleksiy P.

We had to make challenging decisions and deal with new situations.

This year taught me not to worry and not to hope too much for something that hasn't happened yet.Sofia

You shouldn't trust only the words, because even written on paper someone can interpret it differently.Roma

You need to double check the information and try not "to run ahead of the whole planet". Everything has its own time.Oleg

This year has taught us to be more attentive and patient. We want to remind you that things shouldn't be done in a rush and impatience.

Stability's above the profit.Oleksiy K.

This year has taught me to be more restrained and empathic.Yulia

Don't waste time on trifles.Valentin

Of course, we strive to share our hopes and dreams with our closed ones. With the beginning of these quarantines, we get more time that we could spend with our family and friends, new experiences to share with them and support each other as hard as we could.

2021 teaches me how to be a dad. I'm still in the process and for me it's still unusual.Victor T.

This year, more than ever, I realized that it's important to spend more time with my family.Sergiy

And the most important thing that 2021 has given us is the hope that our conclusions will help us in the future. We're ready to take all the conclusions in mind and move on!

2021 has updated the knowledge that life is fleeting too fast and it’s getting even faster over the years, or rather say, that it us who's slowing down.Max

We should be more active in our plans and don't wait till the last moment.Nadin

When Fate closes a door, it opens a window.Alex

Everything is driven by desire.Igor

How has our life changed this year?

We are very different and it's cool because we can learn something new from each other. We have different concepts of leisure, hobbies and rhythms of life. It gives a different perception of everything that is happening around. So someone felt how much his life has changed in a year, and someone didn’t feel it at all.

I'm 1 year older.Igor

And it's great because in the pursuit of new feelings/ emotions / stages etc., it's extremely important not to lose what you already have! Some of us have felt that we can return to normal life after all those quarantines and some still continue to feel restricted.

There have been a lot of restrictions this year, some habits have gone under.Alexandr S.

I felt +10kg from the beginning of quarantine =)Sergiy

I returned to the usual non quarantine mode.Valentin

We're especially affected by the change in what we are used to. Changing your place of residence or work makes people feel a lot of new emotions and inconvenience. It pushes us to overestimate some familiar things.

What about changes in 2021 - we bought an apartment.Yulia

This year we moved to our new house and got two most important changes here. Our children have their own rooms. And we have begun to fight against clutter.Svitlana

I feel many inner changes, there has been a great sense of peace, love in the heart, gratitude for life and loved ones around. Changing the place of residence has also led to some positive changes.Yana

The change of the job is the best thing this year. I like to be in a great Mageside team with such interesting people. Several times this year I was out of my comfort zone, and that led to some productive results.Nadin

I’ve discovered the world of anime and manga this year. And now I’m struggling to convince myself that I don’t need an anime tattoo. I’m losing.Katha

I always liked to travel by car, so this year I bought it for myself and traveled a bit. It's so great, especially when you have a good company.Roma

Life has changed this year but I'm not sure if it’s for the best. No other year has affected me so strongly. It reminded me of crabs breaking during molting.Alex

A complete reassessment of priorities has given me new goals.Oleksiy P.

I have changed my attitude to some things, also have changed my values.Viktor B.

Family and friends have an incredible impact on our lives.

The circle of communication has been limited.Sofia

My mother passed away this year and it's still very difficult, memories and flashbacks come from time to time. Now I have more gray hair in my head) A baby has been born and this's a new, joyful and exciting experience. He radically changed our lifestyle. Some desires have to be put away for some time, to concentrate around the little life that needs you. We have a lot of responsibility, not just for ourselves. But it's fascinating to see how new life develops and changes every day.Max

Although I became a daddy last year, I really felt it only in 2021.Victor T.

This year, my life has turned upside down. And it's so unusual to be not just an acquaintance, a colleague, a friend, but also in the role of a wife.Olha

This year I got married, although without any big celebrations, in any case, my wife is always near and my world has at least doubled.Oleg

What is the main insight/conclusion of this year?

This year has forced us to face new situations, seek other solutions and see the results of past actions. We received many lessons, drew conclusions and now want to share some of them.

We have not 365 days a year, but only 365 days a year. And "the knowledge about how to do something right" is not the same as "to do something right".Vladimir

While the years pass, it's great to see a lot of beauty around and start loving everything that surrounds you in a new and different way.Alexandr S.

It's important to focus on yourself, your inner state and feelings. This year I have a more significant feeling that I'm doing everything right. I'm very glad to be so strong-willed and well-thinking.Yana

The main insight of the year is the importance of doing something useful every day to make the world a better place. This year, like the previous one, was a year of growing up and making new decisions. Our daily lives, events, trials, habits, people are variable. Therefore, we need to be as active, conscious and aware as possible to respond to all the changes.Oleg

Loneliness isn't the enemy if you learn to deal with it properly.Sofia

In some situations, the old methods and approaches don't work anymore. There are also situations where there is no good way to cope.Alex

Your own truth can be harmful.Svitlana

It's important to adapt to all the changes from the past and the future. Analyze and verify the information provided to us by the media. In general, this advice applies not only to this year, but to our whole life.Viktor B.

It's necessary to travel more and it doesn't matter where!Oleksiy P.

And we need to take care of our health - to eat well, exercise or do sport and sleep enough. Insights often come to us in a dream.Anastasia

I couldn't fix a task for two days, but then I had a dream with a hint! The dream was prophetic))Oleksiy K.

It is difficult to work 30 hours without sleep. But, even if you have insomnia, you will sleep like a baby after that. :) Roma

We are already living in the incredible future that everyone predicted so long ago.

The colonization of Mars has already begun in the form of "Space X". COVID-19 is for forever and vaccinations are too.Igor

What moment / event in 2021 do you remember the most?

Travel, travel and travel again! The best way to reload, relax, broaden the horizons and spend time with loved ones is travelling! This year, our Mageside team went on vacation to Side, a city on the southern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Mage in Side was the main joke of the Mageside trip. And for many of us this trip became one of the brightest memories of 2021.

This year has been very good for me and my family, our long-held dream has come true. This year was memorable for a great vacation in Turkey with Mageside.Yurii

Sea, sauna.Valera

Holidays with friendly company at the Mediterranean Sea.Sergiy

Journey to Cappadocia.Oleksiy P.

One of the memorable events of this year is a trip to Turkey with family and a team of friends. There were eventful days and interesting evenings.Viktor B.

I traveled to Turkey for the first time and was amazed by its beauty. Cappadocia is an incredible place to return to.Anastasia

I remember the trip to Turkey the most. I feel much better after this vacation.Vladimir

Imagine mountains that are unlike any other, and a unique dawn. Cappadocia. Yes, it was a special morning because I had seen such a view only in my dreams! This is an unforgettable moment in my life also because I was sharing those emotions with the love of my life and then he proposed to me.Nadin

Of course, we all tried to make trips in 2021 as possible in the current situation. Travelling is necessary; every trip, even a little one, changes us a little.

I remember the most is walking on new trails in the woods. The walk, fresh air, childhood memories, hot seagulls with candy made us forget for a moment about the troubles that happened to us at that time, and accept the situation just as another challenge for our family.Sofia

Ballooning at the Mongolfieria Festival in Cherkasy.Victor T.

A trip to the sea, trips to the country, walks in nature, different thoughts about the essential things.Yana

I remember the most is the trip to Montenegro.Valentin

However, travel isn't the only thing that can bring us nice memories. Moments that are etched in our mind most often, usually associated with powerful emotions.

Wedding of colleagues and wedding of friends.Yulia

Sauna after party at Rostik's home.Oleksiy K.

The event of every 5th. Everyone appears in the office!Alexandr S.

Buying a car :)Igor

Moving into a new home.Svitlana

We are all happy and proud of our colleagues' achievements.

My first mentorship at GeekHub.Alex

What do all these events have in common? Of course, people themselves are an important part of those stories! Our memories become bright and happy when we share them and feel emotions together.

I have a few moments, but a wedding is the icing on the cake. It was so nice that our colleagues shared that day with us. By the way, I was surprised that my colleagues organised a bachelorette party for me.Olha

I suppose the moment I remember the most is when I saw my newborn baby. Also, it was joyful to take my father abroad, ride a car in another country and entertain him a little.Max

I've met a lot of interesting people at the beginning of various quizzes and quests I took part in. The participants allowed me to make a nice mental and emotional development for myself.Dima

2021 was full of different events. Some of them were exciting, wonderful and some were not so pleasant. But every event, hour, day is something special in life. Sometimes I want to repeat the best moments. Every day I tried to perceive it as a gift and as something special. We can do something useful or not, we can relax, read, walk, enjoy, laze, socialize or watch different things on youtube, we can pay attention to our families, breathe deeply and just rejoice that we have it all, we can do it all, and we have freedom of the action!Oleg

Do you have any plans that you want to implement in 2022? What are they?

Many of our goals are aimed at self-development and growth in the professional sphere. We strive to be professional and experts in the tasks we do.

In 2022 I'd like to learn React or something else new. I intend to read a new book about the newest versions of Magento2.4. and need to tighten up in understanding new trends. There’s not enough offline Magento conferences.Alexandr S.

I intend to grow my old and new skills for work, and make an income differentiation.Valentin

I want to increase my income and then decide where to use them while I’m doing it.Valera

I want to get certified and go to Devops courses.Oleksiy K.

I have a plan to improve my health that will definitely impact my ability to work. And I also have a learning plan for next year.Vladimir

I want to master roller skating and SUP boarding. Also to implement several technical ideas, to acquire new intellectual, technical and spiritual knowledge.Viktor B.

I plan to raise the level of practical English and improve my illustration skills even more.Anastasia

I'm still working on my wish list and plans. The first things I want to do are to read books on the list I wrote, try my hand at a new direction, and have a trip to the mountains. I have another great wish, but I want to write it as a post factum.Yana

By the way, people in Mageside have been divided into two types. Those who talk about their plans to make them come true, and those who don't talk about their plans but with the same goal - to make it come true.

I have plans, but it's a secret :) But I can tell that I want to go skiing.Igor

Of course I have plans, but whether it will be possible to implement them is another matter. I noticed that the more I talk about some plans, the less I manage to bring them to life. They say, happiness is like silence, it seems like a plan too.Roma

Yes, there are plans, but it looks like a light sketch for now. So I'll talk about the results of these plans next year.Nadin

Of course next year we would also like to continue a good tradition of travelling.

I want to visit at least 2 countries next year.Yulia

I want to travel to places I have never been before.Oleksiy P.

I want to read more, and, finally, to visit Prague.Svitlana

More practical dreams and plans are also part of our lives.

I want to complete the renovation of the apartment.Victor T.

MY DREAM IS TO FINISH MY HOME RENOVATION, ARGH!!!Sergiy

I have to finish the renovation and come to live in the house. Then I would like to travel by car, I hope I can do it)Max

Dear reader, don't even think about being upset if you don't know what you want at the end of the year. It's good to let go of the situation sometimes and sway on the waves of life. It can send you to the right place and at the right time.

I don't know how to make long-term plans, maybe in the new year it will work out and change my attitude to it.Sofia

The main thing is to remember what is important. That is to spend time with family and friends more often. Enjoy the moment and share emotions.

No special plans have been made yet. Only to live and rejoice, and not to waste a moment.Oleg

We, Mageside team, want to reach all our peaks, and make everything possible dreams come true! Wish you the same in the upcoming 2022 year!

Stay calm and be happy the whole year!