Okay, who’s ready for 2021? Because let’s be real, 2020 was a challenging year.
Between a worldwide pandemic that caused all countries to go into lockdown and coining the new term “social distancing”, to one of the largest social justice movements in history fighting against systematic racism against Black people, this year forced a lot of change.
Change in who we are, what we knew, and how we look at life.
It was hard physically, mentally and emotionally. In the blink of an eye, our daily routines were interrupted and were replaced by working from home and distancing from our loved ones.
Some of us took this time to reconnect with ourselves, and dive deeper into what really matters most. And maybe you just had to BE. That’s important to recognize too.
My note to you,
At the end of every year, I enjoy writing a post to wrap off the year, tie it in a nice bow and then set my resolutions for the next. Almost always, it’s a post about gift giving, or a self reflective post, yada yada.
Obviously, 2020 was not what I envisioned for myself at the end of 2019. I mean, I don’t think it was what any of us expected.
When everything happened, I honestly didn’t really think I was affected too much- and I’m talking about being affected mentally and emotionally.
I live at home, and so was always surrounded by people. I quit my job to start a new job, only to be let go a few weeks after due to the pandemic.
But then, was rehired and am currently grateful for a full-time, remote job.
I took the time in between employment to work on blog stuff, and myself.
It was only till the later months where I really started to feel emotionally and mentally drained. I had the worst mood swings (ever), I was NOT happy with a lot of things, and I really had a lot of subconscious and personal emotions that were bottled up.
Pre-pandemic life— I had events 3-4 times a week, I was a social butterfly and this year truly forced me to sit with my thoughts, and emotions, and to deal with it.
No distractions, nothing. Which, was very hard.
But necessary.
I am constantly surprised by the strength of the human spirit to endure change and challenges. This year was not easy, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t grow in our own, individual way in the process. I definitely felt that I did—in ways that I wouldn’t have if not for this. Which I also recognize as a privilege in itself, and one that I acknowledge and don’t take for granted. And for that, I’m grateful.
BUT WOW FRIENDS!
Just look at how much we’ve grown during a very, VERY difficult year.
Take the last bit of this year to focus on the lessons you learned, and give yourself some credit. I wrote about some lessons last year on how to start 2020 and I found that so much of it actually rang true this year—whether it be being present, or letting go of the need for control. Crazy how things play out.
Take a deep breath, and know that you’ve done all you can and the light is at the end of the tunnel.
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Love and happy holidays,
xoxo Sam