This year was tough. It definitely tested me in more ways than one, and taught me quite a few lessons.
1. Things don’t always go as planned.
Oh the plans, so many plans disrupted by COVID! 2020 was supposed to be my year… LOL! Didn’t we all think that?
2020 was the year I was going to go out more, try new restaurants, bars, and cafés on weekends because I didn’t have to worry about school, midterms and finals anymore. 2020 was they year I could spend more time with my family and friends and not stress about school, and take little mini day trips on weekends since they days were free of homework.
2020 was the year my family would meet my future in-laws after I’ve dating my boyfriend for 5 years… 2020 was the year my boyfriend and I would buy our first home, and then COVID hit and the market crashed, and the housing market spiked. 2020 was the year I was actually going to venture into proper adulthood and independence.
2. Life can change instantly, and it’s easy to take things for granted.
Everything changed overnight. Our health is compromised by an airborne virus that may or may not infect us, or that some are immune to.
We can’t leave the house without grabbing gloves or a mask, we can’t walk into a store without waiting in line and we have to disinfect every item we buy just to feel a little safer. We can’t have proper family get-togethers, travel, socialise, or mourn loved ones without restrictions.
3. Sometimes life isn’t fair, but everything happens for a reason.
It’s going to sound really cheesy, but I think everything happens for a reason and there is a certain path we must follow. It may be difficult, but we’ll all grow, learn, and improve in some way or other.
4. Let go of anger, it’s like a horrible infection that never heals and will make you sick.
Being angry is easy, forgiving and forgetting is the difficult part. But anger will not resolve issues or ease any kind of pain or frustration.
Letting go lifts a heavy weight off the chest, and reduces the tension in your mind and body. I don’t know about you, but I feel sick when I am angry, and I am always really tense and my body hurts. I don’t sleep well, and if I do sleep my dreams are awful.
So I learned to let go of my anger over other people’s stupidity and the things I can’t change.
5. Walk away from situations that are unhealthy, it’s okay to put myself first.
My work environment at my previous job was not the best. As an essential service, the company remained open and continued servicing the food industry. But, management didn’t take the restrictions and health measures seriously, the only thing that changed was locking the front door and the addition of hand sanitiser. No other precautions were taken, even after I was tasked to research and write up a response plan for approval. They refused to adapt or wear masks, and my concerns fell on deaf ears, even after I was tested for COVID because I was exhibiting symptoms, and they were aware of my pre-existing condition.
This caused me a lot of anxiety and stress, and affected my mental health. I wasn’t only worried for myself, but for my family and my grandparents since my parents are primary caregivers. But, I felt lucky to have a job when so many people didn’t; I was the only one in the household working, and food exports wouldn’t close due to other lockdowns, so I was still earning an income if my family needed my help in any way. But after a co-worker came into work wearing a mask because he had a fever all weekend and management didn’t send him home, that’s when I decided to put myself first and contacted my doctor.
6. Cry it out, get back on your feet, keep going and don’t look back.
There was a lot of crying during this time; crying out of anger, frustration, stress and anxiety. Nothing was going right. But, it’s healthier to have a good cry when needed and let it all out, wipe the tears away, move on and not dwell on the negative.
7. Do what makes you happy and don’t overthink it, just do it!
I was applying for work, and as a recent graduate applying for entry level jobs that required experience a theory-based education didn’t offer me, and hiring freezes due to the pandemic, I could not move forward in my career.
So, I took the time and created avenues for the required experience. I started managing my aunt’s social media pages for her side hustle; I took pictures of the products, created graphics and copy for social posts, and replied to any messages or comments.
I created my blog for two reasons. The first being that it’s something I wanted to do for years but always put off because I wasn’t confident enough. But I said to hell with that thought, and now I get to have some fun and curate content that interests me (and hopefully others), and I enjoy doing it! I love having a creative outlet. The second reason was to give myself the experience, and create content, to present to future employers.
8. When one door closes, another opens.
While on stress leave from my previous job, I continued applying for work. I knew I couldn’t go back to my previous work environment, even if it would mean that I would have to apply for CERB (I was made aware that I could apply due to my health) and receive a reduced income. But, I was hopeful none the less.
I was called in for an interview for a position as a Marketing Coordinator, and the job required some of my previous work experience, and the experience I had created for myself. I got the job and I couldn’t be happier! And I get to work from home due to the pandemic, and whenever I go back to work, the company abides by work safety regulations.
So referring to #3, everything happens for a reason. This is the job I wanted. The hiring for this position was put on hold due to the pandemic and opened up the week I started applying for work again… It was kismet.
9. I am lucky where many are still struggling.
While the whole situation with the pandemic is frustrating and stressful, and the housing market is absolute crap for buyers, I remind myself that I am lucky where many are still struggling. My family and I are healthy, I am employed while many still cannot work, we have food on the table, and I still have a roof over my head. What more do I need?
10. Always look on the bright side.
Things can be worse. Even though travelling is not an option, I can travel via a book, tv show or movie, I can FaceTime with family and friends, take up a hobby (I would like to introduce some exercise into my routine and take up sewing), and there is more time for self care. And while buying a home was’t in the cards when we had planned to buy, I’ve been able save up since we’re staying home.
This year has been difficult, but I’m really lucky to have a great support system amongst family and friends. Here’s to leaving 2020 behind and moving forward with positivity and brighter eyes!