As the year winds down and we get ready to say good-bye to 2020, we have a choice to make:
Will we focus on what 2020 has taken away from us?
OR
Will we focus on what 2020 has given us?
It’s certainly tempting to think only of the deprivation, loss, grief, and distress that 2020 has delivered. We can’t deny that many elements of this year have been devastating.
New phrases have become part of everyday vocabulary:
Abundance of caution Work from home
Hybrid schedule Wear a mask
Online education Lockdown
Social distance Stay safe
Covid-19 dashboard Numbers are up
Let’s also take a look at what we have learned during this year. 2020 has taught us about:
Compassion
Gratitude
Kindness
Patience
Resilience
2020 has reminded us to appreciate those things we may have taken for granted:
Family
Friends
Colleagues
Community
Housing
Three meals – and plenty of snacks – a day
Many of us have been reminded to slow down and appreciate the simpler things life has to offer:
A walk in the park
Small family gatherings
Fire pits
The unconditional love our pets offer up daily
Reading a book in a warm, quiet room
And who doesn’t have a new appreciation of toilet paper??? Yes, there is humor in 2020; and let’s allow humor be a part of each day and each lesson learned.
As we head into 2021, let’s review 2020 with an eye toward what we have accomplished in spite of – or because – of the challenges we faced.
Take a look at your 2020 calendar and find one activity / event / accomplishment that brought you joy in each month.
Review the books you read. How many books did you read?
Did you learn a new skill, start a new hobby?
Did you change careers? Get a promotion?
Have you become a teacher or teacher’s assistant for your kids?
Did you get outside more in 2020 than you normally do?
Were you able to deepen relationships with supportive family and friends?
Were you able to reduce the involvement of people in your life who don’t support you?
Did you ask for help when you needed it?
Did you offer help when you were able to?
Set yourself up for success in 2021 by focusing on what you can control:
Schedule time to get together (whether in person, via phone, or virtually) with people who bring you joy.
Get up 15 minutes early and do something that makes you happy:
Have a quite cup of coffee or tea.
Read without interruption.
Write out your intentions for the day.
Get outside and appreciate alone time.
Meditate.
Identify health goals.
Make a list of professional goals.
Write a list of 21 things you’d like to do in 2021.
Take a break from media.
Celebrate the goodness of each day.
As we ease into 2021, reach your goals by taking one small step at a time.
