5 Lessons I’m Taking From 2020
What. A. Year.
I know, you know, we all know that it’s been a rough ride this year. And if you’ve followed me for a while, you know that I’m a big fan of sharing positivity and light. It’s how I choose to use my platform and something that I think is important, especially in an age of perpetuated negativity online.
But I still think it’s fair to say that 2020 was difficult. I think that there are ways to acknowledge trials, difficulties, and challenges without letting them bring you down. And in that thought lies the power to take a lesson from those challenges. I thought, for my own sake and for anyone who may need a little bit of light today, that I would share the five greatest lessons I am choosing to take from 2020. I want to carry them into 2021 and every year ahead with me and remember that our world, our country, our families, and ourselves can overcome.
Lesson One: Family is everything.
In uncertain times, I am reminded that family is what matters and the only thing that matters. Being able to spend more time at home with them this year and focus on togetherness has been such a blessing this year. A miscarriage this year taught me to cherish my babies even more than I already did and for that I’m grateful. I want to resolve to take more intentional time with my family next year to enjoy the small, seemingly mundane daily tasks with them because I’ve realized that in those moments lie the things I’ll miss most when they’re all grown up.
Lesson Two: Expect the unexpected.
What a year, am I right? I am grateful for being able to increase my resilience and being able to adjust course and move forward when things change unexpectedly. When I think of resilience, I like to think of trees, even small ones that haven’t grown to their full potential, but have deep, plentiful roots that extend far beyond what anyone can see on the surface. I think that the roots in all of our trees have beared themselves down and made us more resilient this year and I want to resolve to utilize those roots when times are hard, because they will be, and it’s comforting to know that we can withstand more than we think we can.
Lesson Three: Be a light.
It can be so easy to let your light dim when things seem dark in the world, but in these times I have realized it is more important than ever to be a light and to spread positivity. You never know whose path you may be lighting. If you are a self-help junkie like I am, you’ve certainly heard the idea that our thoughts create our feelings which create our actions. Therefore, our realities are created by our thinking. So in that stream of thinking, it stands to reason that if we are thinking positively, our outcomes will be positive. I resolve to share more light and positivity next year and to partake in other’s lights when my own is feeling dim.
Lesson Four: If it’s meant to be, it will be.
Learning not to force anything has been important for me this year. What will be, will be and learning to be mindful throughout each day and enjoy it rather than looking ahead too far has been such an amazing change in perspective for me. I’m definitely a Type A personality when it comes to knowing what’s ahead and being able to prepare. I know that you may resonate with this feeling when I say that when things are chaotic or unexpected, it leaves me feeling anxious and out of control. Next year I resolve to, in those moments of anxiety, to take a deep breath and breathe through them. Everything will be okay, because it is okay.
Lesson Five: We’re all in this together.
There is something about everyone in the world going through a significant trial of health, energy, time, and strength that can has the power to bond us or divide us. If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that we are all in this together. I saw this quote that struck a real chord with me this year and reminded me that at the end of the day, we’re all trying our best. “We’re all just walking eachother home.” – Ram Dass. There is no “other” when it comes to trials and challenges, we all have them, so this year I resolve to complete more random acts of kindness to remind those around me that they aren’t alone.
What are your biggest lessons from 2020? Let me know on my latest Instagram post! I would love to hear.
