Like everyone else, back in December, I was feeling good about 2020. I was over 2019 and the entire 2010s in general. I wrote a whole post on what happened during the decade here, but in short, there wasn’t anything overly remarkable to note. A lot happened in 201 9 that I was ready to be done with and move on from and the idea of not only a new year — but a new decade — was exactly what I needed.
Cut to June 2020, and dang, was I wrong. I think it’s safe to say the last 5+ months have been trying for many of us. We’ve been faced with things we never expected to experience in our lifetimes. And, no matter what those realities were, we all went through something. I can’t speak for anyone except me but I think it’s safe to say that it’s been a shitshow of a year and in one way or another, our lives will all look a little different come 2021.
All that being said, I’ve learned a lot these last few months that I definitely didn’t anticipate learning this year so here they are.
There’s never a good time for anything. In the past, I kept telling myself that once ‘X’ happened I would ‘X’. Once I had ‘X’ amount of money or was ‘X’ age, then everything would just come together. I kept waiting for the right moment, the right environment, circumstance, to make something happen. Now, I realize there is never a right time. I kept saying 2020 would be the year for a lot of things and then, essentially overnight, it all came to a halt. My plans changed and I had no control over it. If you want to do something, do it — don’t wait for the perfect time because it’s never going to happen.
Actions speak volumes compared to words. This one is pretty self-explanatory but I saw this on a whole new level this year. It’s really easy to say you feel one way, but actually showing it a whole other. Focus more on the actions, less on the words.
If it doesn’t fuel your passion and your soul, don’t do it. I’ve developed a new appreciation for how short life is. Anything can happen to you at any time and if your life were to end tomorrow, would you really be happy with how you spent your time?
Appreciate the little things. Not everything has to be a grand event. There’s a lot of really special moments in every day and it’s important to make note of them. Even if it’s just getting a good parking spot, catching the sunset, or having a great conversation with someone, be grateful for it all.
Life is really, really short. This is essentially the same as number 3, but it’s short. Not only for you, but for everyone around you. Spend time with people who matter and make your life better.
Don’t apologize for who you are. Not everyone will like you or understand you and that’s ok. We waste a lot more energy trying to please people and change ourselves when it’s really easier to just let them go.
Gratitude is key. Be grateful for everything. Every experience — good or bad.
Keep learning. Whether you’re learning a new language, a new skill, or just teaching yourself how to make a craft or recipe, keep learning. I think it’s once we stop learning that our lives start to end.
Dogs help. Whether in quarantine or not, dogs help — a lot.
The people who want to be in your life will be. I think we all learned the last couple of months who is really making an effort to be in our life and who’s not. Hang on to the ones who are.