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SILVER LININGS

2022 was bad — but it could have been worse. This end-of-the-year series looks at the terrible events we worried about but ended up avoiding.

  • Photo illustration of upside down smiles, a human brain, and people looking stressed.
    it's all relative

    Why humans think things are so much worse than they are

  • Photo illustration of a voter casting a ballot at a booth and former President Donald Trump
    power to the people

    Predictions that Trump would kill our democracy in 2022 were premature

  • Photo illustration of a worker at a plant and a construction worker on a ladder.
    a decent job

    Here's what saved the economy in 2022

  • Photo illustration of a Ukrainian soldier hugging his girlfriend, and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in military uniform.
    glory to ukraine

    Russia-Ukraine war has shocked Putin — and military vets like me

  • Photo illustration of people at a movie theater and a marquee sign reading "See You Reel Soon"
    i'll be back

    What 2022's box-office hits told us about this cultural pastime

  • Photo illustration of football player Tom Brady
    not the goal

    Tom Brady is finally going to lose. What a relief.

  • Photo illustration of a gloved hand holding Covid vaccine syringes, and a healthcare worker administering a dose of the vaccine.
    community prevention

    Why our worst fears about Covid in 2022 weren't realized

  • About
  • Contact
  • Help
  • Careers
  • Ad Choices
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your Privacy Choices
  • CA Notice
  • Terms of Service (Updated JULY 7, 2023)
  • NBC News Sitemap
  • Closed Captioning
  • Advertise
  • NBC Select

© 2025 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

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