The holiday season is notorious for its excess and celebration of consumer culture. For me, 2020 was the exact opposite: as minimalist as you can imagine. No family get-togethers. Gifts were more symbolic than anything else.
Something felt missing this holiday season. No, not extravagant gifts or Christmas parties. It was the family you couldn’t see in person and holiday greetings from strangers. After spending months looking at loved ones through a screen, the last thing I needed was more “things”. What I wanted couldn’t be placed under a Christmas tree. Some security in an unstable time. The health and safety of myself and my loved ones.
This holiday season is bittersweet for many of us. For some, it’s plain bitter. Many are counting down the days to 2021, with the hopes that — fingers crossed — things turn back to normal.
Don’t do that.
2020 has taught me a lot of things. First off, I learned what an n95 mask is and that there is a “right” way to wash your hands. Another lesson was the importance of unplugging for your mental health. I learned to prioritize my physical health. I became a lot more mindful of what I consume, physically and spiritually. To roll with the punches, especially when things don’t go your way. Most of all, I learned that before I could change the world around me, I had to go within and change myself.
With everything going on this year, I can’t help but feel grateful. Small wins hit different in 2020. I rediscovered reading and spirituality. I faced a lot of issues I’ve been putting off for a long time. And though it sucked, it was necessary.
Most of all, I learned that before I could change the world around me, I had to go within and change myself.
2020 is a year I will never forget. It is a year that brought me adversity and resilience; isolation and introspection; struggle and strength. If I had mentally fast-forwarded to 2021, I would have missed out on a year of tremendous growth.
The pandemic has slowed down the usual hustle and bustle of everyday life. Quarantine forced us into isolation. With no more distractions, we had no choice but to take a good hard look at ourselves. This year forced me to reflect and tap into myself like no other. And though it was difficult, the rewards will last the rest of my life.
The last thing we should do is go on as if the past nine months never happened. We shouldn’t rush back to normalcy if that means overlooking the lessons we have learned.
With no more distractions, we had no choice but to take a good hard look at ourselves.
2020 was a year of revelations. We learned about ourselves, our loved ones, and the world around us. These lessons were often unpleasant. But important nonetheless.
Collectively, this year has forced us to confront issues that have been around for a long time. Racism and police brutality has taken center stage. Tech giants see profits skyrocket while small businesses shut down. Distrust of mainstream media is at an all-time high. Mass evictions have called the whole housing system into question. The election reveals a nation more divided than ever.
2020 only exposed what was already there. These problems won’t disappear on December 31st.
Why are we so eager to return to the world we left, instead of imagining something better?
Our response to the challenges of yesteryear will govern our future.
Life teaches us the most important lessons the hard way. 2020 was full of hard lessons.
Instead of counting down the days till January, ask yourself: what lessons did I learn this year?
No doubt, 2020 has changed our lives forever. Whether that change is positive or negative is up to you.
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