What 2020 Taught Us

2020 was the year of the un: uncertain, unusual, unprecedented, and the list goes on. However, dare I say, there was a bright side. Moments that taught us how to translate our anxiety, pain, and frustration into reflection, inspiration, and a new appreciation for life. Here are the top 10 things 2020 has taught us:

1. Prioritize Self-Care- There is no doubt that this year exhausted our mental load and took a toll on us physically (is anyone else asking what happened to all their snacks?), but many of us have learned that our sanity depends on how we care for ourselves. Drinking more water, taking naps throughout the day, and doing what makes us happy makes all the difference. Yes, binge-watching your favorite Netflix show counts.
2. Connection is Key- Social distancing protocols and sheltering-in-place has caused some to feel less socially connected to those they love, however Zoom, FaceTime, and outdoor meet-ups have kept us connected and made us realize just how much the people in our lives matter.
3. There is No Time Like the Present- Some of us are used to setting goals. Planning our lives and checking off boxes on our to-do list. But 2020 stepped in and reminded us that sometimes we are not really in control. So instead of putting things off, why not just do it today? None of us know what the next year holds or how long the virus is going to last. Conquer the world today.
4. Get Creative- Whether you are a classroom teacher, who had to pivot to online instruction or if you have been hosting Thanksgiving at your house for the past ten years, we were forced to get creative about how we tackle special occasions and approach daily work. Drive-by birthdays, Zoom dance breaks, and morning meditation have helped us humanize virtual spaces.
5. Practice Gratitude- Sure, we all want the best out of life, which is sometimes synonymous with wanting more, but as the phrase goes, “Sometimes less is more.” This year has taught us to be grateful for the things we have- loved ones, good health, the means to purchase basic necessities, and reminders of the things that are really important in life.
6. Reinvent the 40-Hour Work Week- Who knew this whole time, I could do my job from home? While this is not true for all professionals (a huge shout out to all our frontline workers), I think many Americans are reevaluating how they spend their 8-hour days at work. I for one, have realized that I can sometimes do my job in less time and still have an opportunity to spend time with my children, make lunch, take a nap, etc. What a revelation that will hopefully be reflected in our future expectations for what the workday can look like when we “return to normal.”
7. Balance is Everything- We are definitely not in control of everything, but we play a significant role in finding balance. People have shared with me how they are now practicing new routines like morning yoga, midafternoon dog walks, and taking 15-minute naps to achieve balance in a world consumed by screen time.
8. Make Time for Reflection- Our society creates a culture where we are always on the go- commuting to work, running errands, making dinner, and finally getting to bed when the day is done. But with store closures and most of America working remotely, we now have the time to stop and think. Those thoughts have led to new ideas, a desire to reconnect with old friends, and shed fears that prevent us from discovering our purpose.
9. We are More Resilient than We Know- We all have moments when we question our internal strength. Back in March, I’m sure the thought, “Can I make it through this?” was running rampant through everyone’s minds. Navigating online classes, quarantining, personal loss, and racial injustice has been burdensome. Still, somehow we have continued to prove to ourselves that we have the power within to make it to the other side.
10. Let Things Go- If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s that we have no real control. No one could have predicted the world that we are living in, and at the height of the virus, we have had to change our plans- travel plans, wedding plans, graduation plans. And while these are moments that we have been looking forward to for some time, we have learned to let our fantasies go and reimagine new milestones. And while we shouldn’t always expect to cancel plans, I do hope that we hold on to the ingenuity, flexibility, and creativity that this time has taught us.