On 2020 and what I'm looking forward to in 2021
It began like any other year, albeit in an unfamiliar to us place, and in an unfamiliar position. We had plans, we had dreams, and, after 2019, we were excited. Then… 2020 happened!
2020 really wasn’t that bad of a year on a personal level, but I do feel like I’ve wasted it. I’ve allowed worry, pain, sadness, and even anger to take over me, without doing much about it. It didn’t serve me. And now I’m looking at this year with remorse, feeling that I haven’t progressed personally as much as I wanted… I have no one to blame for that but myself.
Though, I don’t regret spending most of this year in isolation; after all, my and my loved ones’ health is one of the things that matter the most to me - preserving that does not come with regrets. Plus, we have moved to a new state (more on how that went here), and honestly, after being on the move for most of 2019 and more than half of 2020, I was looking forward to nesting, baking (I love to bake), and frankly, not living out of a suitcase. That part was nice, in spite of our reticence of settling here... After living in California for many years, moving to Florida, and going through some [not so pleasant] experiences here left us speechless, and even shocked… in all fairness though, all states have their own “quirks”, so living here or anywhere else is a matter of learning and adjusting.
I don’t expect or plan for 2021 to be much different; we plan no travel and we still plan to social-distance for the foreseeable future. What I am looking forward to though, is getting into a better/healthier routine.
We have fallen short on our meditation schedule, our plant-based eating habits (we feel the best when we eat that way), and even exercise this year. Yes, we have taken long walks almost every day, but that was it as far as exercise, and I want to change that. Though I hate working out, I have my hubby to keep me accountable (oh yes he does!), and he’s already come up with our workout schedule at home. I’m also looking forward to reconnecting with my mind in 2021 - this pandemic wreaked havoc on it this year (again, my fault for allowing it to).
I realize this post sounds regretful… but hear me out. I stopped living with regrets a while ago. The past cannot be changed, and dwelling in it and regretting it can be devastating.
However, at the end of each year, like many others, I look back to take inventory for the year ahead. I learn of my mistakes and shortcomings so that I can address them - it’s part of one’s personal growth. And the thoughts above are based on my own experience.
2020 was not the year any of us expected, but it gave us countless lessons. It showed us how unprepared we are as a society, and individuals, to handle unexpected things. It also showed us how DEPENDENT on each other we are, whether we like it or not. But it also showed us that WE CAN BE ADAPTABLE. That there is hope.
2020 was not the year any of us expected, but it showed us that we CAN BE MORE.
BE MORE, for yourself, for your neighbor, for this planet.
Don’t call 2020 a failed year… it showed us that millions of people are selfless and ready to sacrifice themselves for the better of others, it showed us kindness, it showed us what support is, and it showed us that many still care…
From the bottom of my heart, I wish you a kind 2021!
xoxo,
Em
