As we all welcomed in 2020 – the shiny new decade – with open arms, sky-high optimism and cocky notions of this being ‘our year’, the universe was all too willing to step in, give us a firm talking to and ground us for the foreseeable (literally!).
The news channels, social media and family Whatsapp groups were relentless in their pursuit to remind you of precisely how shit everything has been. So I thought I would step in with some, frankly much needed, light relief and offer a more optimistic/romanticised version of 2020 and what it taught me.
Indulge me by taking a look at the more polished side of the 2020 coin, if you will.
My aim for this post is to highlight that while things ‘didn’t exactly go to plan’ (understatement), there have been some glimmers of light peeking through what could easily be painted over as a neverending nightmare of a year.
2020 has been a test for us in many ways, but I’ll be damned if I don’t walk away with a couple of good anecdotes and lessons to bore the grandkids with one day!
We all know what we would like to see the back of in 2020, but here are some of the things I am gladly taking away and bringing with me into 2021…
Embracing Unpredictability
Humans are biologically programmed to gravitate towards what is safe, known and reliable. But we wouldn’t have made it this far from an evolutionary standpoint if we were not able to adapt too.
More broadly speaking, I would argue that some of the most exciting memories we accumulate in life are born from spontaneity, chance and surprises. Embracing unpredictability can be crucial in our lifetime so that we learn and create opportunities and adventure from adversity. Not every scenario can be made ‘adventurous’ of course, but we can choose to roll with the punches with hope or collect bruises and suffer.
2020 brought us no end of unpredictability and rather than resisting the changes it brought about (as I initially did), I found that leaning into the unknown made things much easier.
‘Stuff’ Doesn’t Create Long Lasting Happiness
When you have nowhere to go and no one to see, it’s amazing how little money you end up spending (and arguably, wasting). And once you begin to take stock of how much less you’re buying and take a long hard look at where your precious coin was being spent, you start to get a bit embarrassed by your pre-covid lifestyle. That was the case for me at least.
I discovered how little I actually needed on a day to day basis, and while I am by no means suddenly a minimalist, I can say that I am more thoughtful with what I purchase now. Gone are the days when I would be careless with my income. I now invest in fewer pricier but better quality items that last for longer and have cut out spending money on things that bring little lasting impact or joy to my life. I will continue to evaluate my lifestyle and question how much or how little certain things serve me – and adjust accordingly moving forward.
Invest In Yourself
What do you do when your one true love in life – travel – becomes a distant memory? You take all that money and save it for a rainy day! Whether it’s as a result of reaching the latter stages of your 20s or being self-employed during a pandemic (or both!), learning that a reliable source of income is never guaranteed has been a valuable lesson for me.
I have saved more this year than I have in my prior adult years combined (shocking I know!). I’ve even managed to re-invest my earnings into starting a creative business venture which not only brings me a great deal of personal joy but also allows me to work towards broadening my income stream.
Don’t Take Anything For Granted
It’s simple isn’t it. But if you’re anything like me, it can be easy to overlook how lucky you are. This lesson applies to your health, your family, your friends, your wealth, your pets… the list is infinite.
The Health Of Your Mind & Body Is Invaluable
I often see mental health and physical health get separated into two stand-alone categories whenever spoken about. This year has taught they are anything but separate and more important than anything else going on around us too. If your mind is disordered or tired, the body follows suit and vice versa.
I made a point to prioritise both my mental and physical health this year through various means (I think we all need to find what works for us) and have found that this made the year that much more bearable and any stress or anxiety I encountered, more manageable.
Nature Heals
Enlightening, I know.
But the extent to which nature has helped us all stay sane and energised can’t be ignored, particularly during a year where staying in was the default option. I found myself not using any form of public transport, driving less and walking much more. I saw the world slow down and we stopped racing against the clock.
I began to appreciate quiet moments and fresh air like never before and I’m sure I wasn’t alone in that. Come rain, shine or whatever else the British weather chose to throw my way, I still made a point of going outside. I will never again say no to woodland walks, seaside strolls and aimless ambling.
Creative Outlets Keep Us Grounded
We all made jokes about 2020 being the year that everyone began baking banana bread, learning languages and taking up running. But what this showcased to me was how vital and healing having an outlet for our stress in a creative way can be. If you are anything like me then you can back me up in acknowledging how hard it can be juggling work and adult responsibilities with doing the things that spark joy within you.
I would recommend anyone who gravitated towards a particular hobby this year to explore it further and not leave that creative streak behind you as we approach 2021. The 2020 version of you might have been telling you something about some hidden passion or talent that your soul is seeking solace in. Listen to it.
Live In The Moment
Being a visual person I found it helpful to reflect back on the year by looking through all the photographs I collected in the last 365 days. I noticed there were more raw and unedited images on my camera roll in 2020 – a stark contrast to prior years. I gravitated far more towards imperfections this year rather than focusing on getting ‘the perfect shot’. I was more spontaneous, present and noticed beauty in ordinary moments.
Kindness Is Key
Being kind costs nothing. It arguably takes less effort than any other alternative. It can only bring you peace and generates good karma at the very least (I’ll take it where I can get it!).
2020 highlighted the importance of caring for one another is – not just for friends and family but for the world and its inhabitants as a whole. I felt a shared unity, togetherness and sense of universal purpose more than ever this year. I think being reminded that we are all the same no matter who we are or where we come from has been a much needed tonic.
Oh, and be kind to yourself too. Just because.
Magic Is Everywhere
This year has helped me develop an unwavering gratitude practice. Through the ups and downs I found myself working to shift and refocus my attention towards the good and magic around me.
Amongst all the mess, birthdays continued to be celebrated, we stayed in contact with loved ones in innovative ways and appreciated who we have in our lives that much more. I know friends who started therapy, got engaged, had children, changed career paths and just took a much needed BREAK.
We quickly realised what was most important to us and celebrated the small things with all our hearts. We immersed ourselves in a new way of living and, while it was new and unusual and hard, we did it.
If that’s not magic then I don’t know what is.
Happy New Year….
Until next time,
Lica xoxo
