I don’t think anyone will be sad to say bye to 2020, this really has been one of those once in a lifetime hellish year, here’s hoping!!! 2020, for me, like for many of us, has been a year of transformation, finding new rhythms, ways of working, as well as creative and socially-distanced ways of staying in touch with loved ones.
I’m not going to lie, it has been hard. It has now been over a year since I saw my mum in person. It has been more than 10 months of not going much further than county lines. Since March, I have only eaten out twice. Both in September, it was pizza and sushi, and both were wonderful, if not a distance memory. I have also only really seen three close friends in-person, both socially-distanced, no hugs allowed. One a picnic, among the wildflowers, one a very cold hot chocolate with sugary doughnuts on the beach in Whitstable, and another while enjoying a very strange London Fashion Week. Each occasion really kept me going.
I’m not going to write the C word, I’m hoping in years to come that word will all but forgotten and just a small footnote in history, but for many the pandemic will be a raw memory of what 2020 was to them. This year has also had a positive impact, with the Black Lives Matter movement being a catalyst for much-needed change. While the reality behind the movement was sad and completely shocking, it really did rock the world into action. Hopefully, lasting change will come from it, but as a white woman I also know that no matter what I will be constantly learning to be an ally to the Black community.
This year has also had a positive impact on my life, who knew that slowing down would turn me into a gardener. But it also showed me that the notion of needing to be part of a fast-paced environment was the only way to succeed isn’t true. 2020 has shown me that I can still achieve all my dreams, maybe it will take me longer, but I will enjoy the journey more.
I also learnt a lot about myself. Yes, even at the age of 40, I’m still learning every day. For a start, I worry way too much. Moving into 2021 I have to realise that I can’t continue to worry about things I can’t control. I also need to be more confident in myself, my writing and my creative process. I have an affirmation I love to tell myself and that’s ‘No-one is you, and that is your power’ and next year I really have to start believing that.
I also realised that I now know more of what I want from life. I actually love being home. I love spending time with my husband and I love planning out improvements to the house and garden. No longer does everything have to revolve around work and social media.
No matter what has happened this year, and lets be honest it has been mostly crappy, I know that I want to ensure a proper work-life balance, I like this slow-paced living. In 2021, can I just have it with a side-order or hugs please?
Can you take any positives from this year?
