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They say that hindsight is 20/20, and after the year that we have all been through, we thought it might be a good time to take a look back at last year and share some of the things we have learned along the way.
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Hey lady!
This time last year you were completely unaware of what would happen for most of the year, or that you’d still be dealing with it in 2021. But here you are, and you know what steps to take to get through it. And, let’s be honest, it wasn’t all bad. You had to adjust, and you did it.
When the pandemic hit, you organized different groups of friends and hosted happy hours on Zoom. You did this with childhood friends, your college friends, your co-workers, your best friends, and you managed to organize different events for your friends in other countries across time zones. Thanks to Zoom and video communication, you also attended several experiential events from your living room, traveled to faraway lands on zoom with Rick Steves, and most importantly stayed connected with your parents who live on the other side of the country. You didn’t wait a minute to do any of this; by the time April 2020 rolled around, you had organized 10+ zoom reunions and events with friends. In doing so, you re-established connections, strengthened connections, and found a way to go through this with people you love, while socially distanced. Not bad!
My advice to you moving forward is to keep doing what you’re doing, and don’t stop. Do everything you can to stay and feel connected to friends, family, work, and play. Keep reading, and stay hopeful. Continue to support restaurants by ordering their delivery food. Continue supporting independent bookstores even if the shipping takes a little longer. Stay passionate about small business, your environmental footprint, and your health. It’s important to know what’s happening in the world, but try to mitigate the amount of time you spend engaging with current events. Leave space for you! You are worth it, and you learned how important it is to take a step back and focus on what really matters.
This year is likely going to be different. You may get to travel again! But, even if you don’t, you are now equipped with tools to get through the emotional pain of a global pandemic. You’re closer to your friends, family, co-workers, and internet friends. You may be homesick, or simply want to hug your best friend again, but you have the patience to wait, and enough hope to power you through the entire year.
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Hey girl,
Sooooooooooo... yeah. 2020 was a lot. I know. But you made it through, and honestly, you did it better than I could have hoped for.
You had a few wobbles along the way, but really, everyone was going through the same things. Just remember to focus and keep breathing and that will get you through the worst spots. You did amazing things at work this year, things you never would have imagined. And sure, a lot of them were on not nearly enough sleep, but still. Focus and breathing. You have all the tools you need, you just need to trust that you know what you are doing.
Stay informed, it helps you feel better and slightly more in control. But set a timer and don’t let yourself spend hours reading the news obsessively. It’s a fine line to walk and you are going to fall on the wrong side of it sometimes. Don’t beat yourself up, just try again.
Good things happened in 2020, sometimes they were small things like gutter cactus, and the Stanley Cup playoffs in August and September. Embrace the good things, hold on to them when things get tough.
Good things are coming, I promise. Hopefully big ones. I don’t have any idea what this year is going to be like, and I know it’s been hard, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. You got this.
Love,
Me, but older and hopefully a bit wiser
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Hey past me,
You don’t know it yet, but you’re in for a heck of a year. Before I dive it let me tell you one thing: Even though you won’t be sure sometimes, you’re going to make it!
Moreso than actual bad things happening in your life, there’s going to be more worry about bad things happening than you’ve ever experienced before. But, you’re going to realize quickly that all of that worry just makes fine days into rough days, and trust me, you’re going to want to bank those fine days.
Among those fine days are a lot of amazing things, though. You’re going to get to connect with your friends, community and the world in ways you never thought you would. You’re going to accomplish a LOT, even when it feels like the entire world is on hold. Best of all, you’re going to learn so much about what is important to you, and what you want in life.
I know, it’s crazy to think that just one year can have that kind of impact, but trust me...this isn’t just any year.
Remember to take time to disconnect from the noise from time to time. Spend as much time as you can away from the screen and outside in the sun. Keep in touch with your friends even when it’s hard. And, when you’re feeling burnt out, take the advice of the kind people around you and really do make time for you.
You got this, and you’re going to make it!
Love,
The you that made it to 2021
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So tell us... what would you write in a letter to your past self? What have you learned this year that you plan to keep with you going forward?
