It’s Not Over Yet
There’s only a little over one month left in 2020, but there’s already a collective impatience for 2021. It’s not like “normal” is going to transform on midnight, January 1. People will still be passing around the Coronavirus and getting COVID (which means we’re still staying home, masking up, and avoiding large groups). Trump will still be President. Even though nothing truly changes on New Year’s Day, a new number on the calendar does something to us. It’s an explicit reminder that, yes, time is really happening. And I think that’s why we get hopeful. We realize a lot can happen in a year, and a new year means a lot of new things can happen.
A lot happened in 2020, even though what comes most easily to mind are the horrors. You see the numbers. You’ve kept up with the news. We’re not in a good place. But living through a global pandemic and a national crisis teaches humility. Like the blatancy of a number swap for a new year, daily reminders of what’s gone wrong around you force a look at what’s right.
Gratitude in a Weird Year
Expressing gratitude is a common Thanksgiving tradition. But it feels a little weird and selfish when so many people have lived with severe sacrifices and losses this year. If you’re someone who experienced great hardship this year, I wish you peace and comfort from your support system. If you’ve suffered less but still think this year should be symbolically decimated in the middle of the desert, you also have my wishes.
Gratitude is a healthy thought practice in general, and because this is the year everyone seems to hate, it’s a good time to take time to tease out the gems of good. However this year has or hasn’t served you, recognizing its positives does make 2021 seem like a hopeful place — somewhere to look forward to getting to.
Here are the things I’m grateful for that 2020 has given to me.
1. my job
I’m fortunate I remained employed. Plus, my job has a mission I believe in with people who inspire and encourage me. It’s a blessing to have a job I’m proud of that also provides the income I need to live in comfort and good health.
2. my other job
Last year, I started freelance copywriting, and in 2020, I got better at it. I developed a knowledge base in new areas and have perspective in new directions my career can go. Overall, I’m a more confident person because of this side work.
3. practice with my online presence
I’ve been applying #2 to my online presence. I started with my personal life, but I have plans for expanding my presence as a writer and person you’d want to follow. Actually sitting down to write this entry is part of that.
4. working from home
Yes, working from home is as awesome as I imagined it would be. Given my professional field, I never thought it was in my cards, but I’ve been telecommuting for the last 8 months — with at least 4 more to go. I’m hoping to find a way to be a permanent remote worker in my future.
5. web meetings
Zoom fatigue is real, and I was never a video chat kind of person. But I’ve embraced the web conference and prefer it to some in-person meetings that were less than engaging or just inconvenient. I especially enjoy teletherapy!
6. more time with my pets
Working from home means more time at home — and more time with my pets. My cat pretty much lives on my lap, and in May, I took on the role of rodent guardian with my first gerbil. I got a fish (and snails!) in September, and the menagerie will only grow from here. My pets remind me to savor the simple pleasures, and I adore them.
7. comfort in my home
This year, I gave my living space a mood lift. I replaced cool and industrial with warm and earthy. I also purged, donated, and rearranged my things to open up my space. My home is a happy, healing place that feels like it belongs to me.
8. good food — at home
I never enjoyed cooking at home, mostly because I lacked confidence and feared criticism. This year, cooking has been a low-stress activity and, in some cases, fun. I make some “bomb-ass chicken thighs.”
9. more outdoor dining
The first time I dined at a restaurant after shelter-in-place was for my birthday in June, and it was outdoors. Since then, I’ve only dined out outdoors, and I love it. Al fresco, the coveted dining option, is now my norm.
10. more outdoor friend hangouts
Like my feelings about al fresco dining, I’ve always preferred outdoors to indoors for hangouts, especially during the summertime. I’ve had great times with friends on decks and around fire pits.
11. a focus on local businesses and shopping small
Seeing businesses struggle made me rethink where my spending money goes. Pandemic life changed my shopping habits, but when I want to treat myself, I consider local or small businesses first. Or, I donate. This holiday season, I’m planning to support local businesses by buying my gifts from them. Shop small!
12. more walks
Walking has been a major form of entertainment this year. It’s a healthy pastime, brings my partner and me to new things, and gives me lots of things to think about. Really long walks make me feel like a kid again, and earlier in the pandemic, walks would turn into games.
13. cute cloth masks
I like masks as the new 2020 fashion accessory. I have so many, and I’ll probably get more. I have two favorites, one with weird-looking dancing cats on them and one with an autumnal leaf pattern. The pandemic isn’t over; mask up!
14. a call for social justice
A lot of us are learning how we’re privileged and why the privilege is not okay. Even though there’s a lot of ugly in our country, there’s a lot of passion for justice. 2020 inspired me to unlearn and to learn, so I can get better at action.
15. a stronger emphasis on self-care
Thinking about systemic change also has us thinking about internal change. There’s a lot messing with people right now, and it’s been comforting seeing so much content about self-care and emotional wellness. We all need it, now and throughout our lives.
16. Biden/Harris
Enough said there. 👍
17. finding peace with my identity and outlets to explore it
I know there are things that set me apart from my peers. One of my largest outlying identities is being a childfree (by choice) woman. This year, I found “a place I belong” on social media and through stories shared on podcasts.
18. writer cred.
This year, I had two short stories published in anthologies and appeared at online events for them. I’ve had trouble writing new material, but at least, I got to celebrate the material I already put out into the world. Small victories motivate me to keep going, and they tell me “being a writer” isn’t a pipe dream. It just takes time and effort.
19. the friends who stuck by me
2020 was a socially challenging year for me, even before we all started isolating. Somehow, even though hanging out wasn’t really “a thing” anymore, the friends who support and understand me found ways to be part of my life. I’m ending the year much happier about my friendships, and I’m positive about the potential for new relationships.
20. my partner
He’s not last or least, but he’s a good close to my list. Without him, 2020 would have been a lot lonelier, so I’m very grateful we have each other. Our “co-quarantine” time together made our relationship stronger and gave us a lot of time to plan the future.
However you’re spending this week, GIFs of turkeys and obligatory social media posts might get you thinking about the things you’re grateful for.
Do you have a 20 for ‘20?
*Bob’s Burgers didn’t make the cut as a number on my list, but it has been one of my 2020 constants.