In truth, 2022 hasn't been much better than 2021 or 2020.
The angst and desperation of rising Covid-19 cases and multiple national lockdowns have been replaced by surging energy bills and a full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin's Russian army, sparking Europe's largest refugee crisis since the Second World War. Life isn't great for a depressingly large number of people right now.
In that light, football seems pretty irrelevant. But as Arrigo Sacchi once said, football is the most important of the least important things in life and as such, it can offer a welcome distraction from life's troubles.
The rest of 2022 promises to be an exciting one in the world of football, with a tight Premier League title race hotting up and a World Cup to look forward to in November.
The transfer window will be interesting too, with one man, in particular, dominating the headlines. Erling Haaland looks certain to leave Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City and Real Madrid are ready to fight for his signature.
At City Is Ours, we thought we'd put together a short manifesto of reasons why the 21-year-old goal machine should choose the Etihad Stadium over the Bernabeu.
Become a legend
At 21, Haaland is already one of the best strikers European football has seen this century and he would obviously score goals wherever he goes.
As was shown in Real Madrid's incredible Champions League comeback against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday though, Los Blancos already have a world-class striker in Karim Benzema and in Kylian Mbappe, another likely on the way. Would he be guaranteed starts with those two around?
At City, Haaland would be the top dog in the striking department. Guardiola regularly admits his side need to sign an out-and-out number nine and if Haaland takes up the challenge he could create a legacy in Manchester that he wouldn't have to share.
Yes, you'll score lots of goals in Madrid - but at City, you could be the striker that guides the Blues to a first-ever Champions League title. And you'll be served by the likes of Phil Foden, Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva. That's a unique opportunity to make history.
It runs in the family
Obviously, he wouldn't be but having Haaland in the squad would feel a bit like having another homegrown player.
The Norway international was actually born on this side of the North Sea in Leeds but his father, Alf-Inge Haaland, played for City between 2002 and 2003.
Like fan-favourite Foden, Erling supported City as a lad. There's a famous photo of him donning the Blues' 2008/09 home shirt, while he was at Wembley Stadium with his Dad to see Yaya Toure score that incredible goal in the 2014 League Cup final.
Come on Erling, come home.
A cultural experience
Borussia Dortmund is a historic club with an incredible stadium but Dortmund itself is hardly the most exciting city in the world.
Madrid would be a brilliant new home but if Haaland wants to see the world, then he'd be best off choosing Manchester.
Barring London and a select few others, there are few cities in the world as multi-cultural and diverse as Manchester. The capital of the north offers food, culture and music from across the world, something we're sure Haaland would enjoy.
The 21-year-old is known to enjoy a night out, so with the Northern Quarter packed with bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants serving every kind of cuisine, he'd never get bored.
Mancunians are lovely too, friendly and always up for a laugh. Not like those cold and serious Madridistas...
Why do you think Erling Haaland should join Man City? Follow the City Is Ours team and Alex Brotherton on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
