20 Lessons from 2020 & Helloooo 2021!

December 31, 2020

1. SLOW THE HECK DOWN! I think one of the lessons many of us learned this past year is that sometimes we’re moving through life so quickly that the smallest bump completely causes us to wreck the car. Slow down, be present and enjoy the ride.
2. Take time to heal when it’s needed. Another resounding lesson. I’ve seen so many people on IG talking about how the theme of 2020 was healing. I learned that sometimes you need to take time to integrate healing practices into your life and/ or to seek help and that there is no shame in doing that.
3. The best of friends will find things to talk about when there’s absolutely nothing to talk about. I love my friends with all of my heart and am so happy that we’ve all been able to connect on a deeper level through all of this, even when we were all just sitting at home watching the walls.
4. Appreciate the small things. Honestly, I didn’t think I could appreciate tiny details more than I already did, but never in my life have I felt so much joy and gratitude from stepping outside and feeling the breeze on my face or seeing the vibrant colors of the trees.
5. You’re for sure a good match with someone when you can spend 365 days together in a one- bedroom apartment and are still loving it! After being in a relationship, were I felt like I needed an hour or two of daily me time, I figured that was just the type of person I am. But 2020 and a new partner has taught me that you will be crazy (in a good way) about the right person and will constantly find new reasons you’re crazy about them.
6.  Let go of what you’re most attached to. I didn’t realize until this last year that one of the things I’m most attached to is my body. I love my active lifestyle, but I didn’t realize just how much I coveted the results until my doctor told me I needed to stop working out for several months. Letting go of the attachment to how my body looks has been so healthy and freeing for my mind.
7. Therapy is amazing! I was reluctant to share about going to therapy because I’m one of those people that was taught its for crazy people, end of story. But, quarantine allowed time in my schedule for therapy and I went for several months and it felt so good and was so healing. I actually cried when I told my therapist that we needed to have “the talk” because it had become like having a deep, meaningful, healing conversation with a friend each week and I knew I’d miss her. But anyway, therapy needs to be normalized and so here it is: in 2020 I went to therapy and loved it.
8. Listen to your body. I cannot emphasize this enough. 2020 was the year my body said enough. The back pain I’d been experiencing and ignoring for months finally got so back, there was nothing I could do without being in pain. If your body is telling something is wrong do not ignore it.
9. Don’t always trust what your doctor tells you just because they’re a doctor. Yup I said it. 2020 was also the year that a doctor told me that I have a fracture in my spine and that is why I have back pain. It was going to require me completely changing how I live and work out because you can’t really fix a spinal fracture. I asked for a referral to a specialist for a second opinion and after several more MRI’s, CT scans and X-ray’s, I was told that I do not in fact, have a fracture. So, for once I’m glad that I didn’t trust the doctor.
10. Money spent on self-care isn’t a waste. I’ve never been one to get massages or acupuncture or to go to the chiropractor. But now I’ve realized that whether you do these things for a specific reason or simply because it makes you feel good and comfortable in your body, it is worth it.
11. You don’t have to be happy all of the time to be a happy person. I guess this kind of goes without saying. But I am a feeling burier. I’ve realized that when I feel angry, upset, or hurt, I sweep it under the rug and try to focus on something good. A silver lining. In my mind this is what made me a positive, happy person. But, from therapy actually, I learned that this is a bad habit and an untrue statement. It’s ok to honor your feelings and to let yourself feel them and it does not make you a grouch.
12.  Patience. I’m possibly one of the most impatient people you’ll ever meet. I’m a type A, go-getter and when I want to do something a list and plan will be made in due time to make it happen. But this year there were several things that happened or, maybe I should say, didn’t happen that were/ are completely out of my control. So, I was/ am learning to lean into patience.
13. You’re capable of way more than you know. I learned in 2020 that I’m capable of more forgiveness, understanding, acceptance and love than I ever thought possible. The depth of the human heart is extraordinary.
14. Get outside more. Even if you’re not an outdoorsy person, I think we all could benefit from a little more time in outside. Whether it’s going on a 5-mile hike or just sitting in your backyard and observing, there’s always inspiration and little life lessons nature is waiting to reveal to us.
15. Parents are Rockstar’s. With my new relationship, came a spunky little teenager who reminds me a lot of myself when I was younger. What also came was seeing myself through an adult’s eyes. So, I’ve told my parents many times this year how much I appreciate their patience with my 16 year old self.
16. I love to cook! I’ve cooked for myself and my ex since I moved out of my parents’ house, but I never felt like I enjoyed it. It was just something I did. With 2020, came a new boyfriend with an appreciation for food similar to my own, more time to make more extravagant meals and the realization that cooking brings me joy.
17. Hug your loved ones. I’m not a touchy person, but I think a lot of people learned how quickly a life can be lost during the pandemic. So, I’ve made it more of a habit to give my friends and family a hug each time I see them.
18. Communication is key. I think Alex and I can both attest to the power and importance of good communication after living in our one-bedroom apartment, while working from home, for one year lol.  
19. Do the things you want to do. If you have a goal or a bucket list item, don’t put off trying to do it. Life is too short.
20. Love yourself. You have to spend your entire life with you and it’s going to be a lot less enjoyable if you’re at war with yourself. So be patient with yourself and love yourself because it’s you and you until the end.

Well, 2020 it’s been interesting to say the least. Honestly, even though there was a lot of bad, weird, and crazy, there was a lot of good that came from all the happenings. There was some serious separation but, in there, was pockets of unity. There were scary moments that brought forth hope. We witnessed hate, but that hate called a lot of us to pour out love.

Not much will change tonight at midnight, but I have hope that 2021 will be the year that all the profound growth so many of us experienced in 2020 will be applied and that we will see some change to our lifestyles, our society and ourselves. Wishing you a happy and blessed New Year!

xoxo

Amber