If 2021 is hard for you, don't worry because you are not alone. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates also feels that 2021 will be a difficult and unusual year for him.
In his latest GatesNotes blog, Gates says his year has been tough because of his divorce from Melinda French Gates, loneliness in the midst of a pandemic, and the abandonment of his son who is embarking on a new life.
"Although I think what I'm working on is the most exciting part of the year, I know a lot of people are curious about a more personal subject: my divorce," Gates wrote.
"Melinda and I continue to run our foundation together and have found a new rhythm to work very well, but I can't deny that this has been a year of personal sadness for me."
Bill and Melinda first announced their divorce in May 2021. They officially divorced in August, after 27 years of marriage.
Apart from separating from his wife, Gates also released his eldest daughter, Jennifer, who married last October. Her two other children, Phoebe and Rory, are busy with college and school in another city.
"The house is quieter without a bunch of teens hanging out all the time. I miss having them at home, although it's easier to focus on reading a book or getting work done these days," says Gates.
The 66-year-old also said the COVID-19 pandemic made him feel very alone because he had lost direct social interaction with other people in the past 12 months.
Gates said he previously hoped 2021 would be a better year, but he didn't expect COVID-19 to flare up again due to the Delta variant, nor would many people still be reluctant to get vaccinated or wear masks.
Even though the world is currently in shock with the Omicron variant, Gates said he remains optimistic about 2022.
"In the next two years, my hope is that the only time you have to think about the virus is when you get the COVID and flu vaccines together every fall."