As I look towards what appears to be a very promising new year, part of my process is (duh) writing down and reflecting on the past year and what it has taught me. And boy, was it a doozy of a year. Many lessons were learned.
I’ll try and sum them up here.
1. I’ve learned to appreciate LOTS of reflective moments.
Is this a good or bad thing? I’m not sure. Mostly good, I guess, but then again, I tend to overthink things. Most of us have had more time to get in touch with our true selves, for better or worse. I tend to think it’s mostly for the better.
2. Social media burnout is a real thing.
Never before have I gone to my phone with the intention of looking up the weather forecast for the next day, only to have the Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook icons bat their eyelashes at me, giving me that ‘come hither’ finger, and I get sucked into their nefarious attractions.
And I completely forget what I went to my phone for originally. Only to remember an hour later that I wanted to know if the sun was (finally) going to come out tomorrow. I have resigned myself to the fact that anything I need to check on my phone…if it really needs to get done, it will. Eventually.
I completely understand when people say that after a full 48 hours without social media, they feel happier. I get it. And I applaud them. Even though I myself have yet to carry out such a far-fetched notion.
I’ll get there. Just you wait. Speaking of my phone…
3. I’ve been sleeping with my phone and I’m feeling pretty slutty about it.
Companionship is a fickle thing. I can’t properly date right now, so why not whisper sweet nothings into my phone? Whether I fall asleep with it in my hand at 8:30 pm (which I’ve done) and then wake up at 1 am, 3 am, and 5 am in perfect succession (which I’ve also done, more than once) my faithful companion does not judge me, and always shines a light on me whenever I push his tiny little button.
When Robert Plant’s ‘Big Log’ drifts through my speakers and I get all misty eyed as I stare at the wondrous invention that is my phone, I think, “Oh my dear – how would I ever live without you?”
4. I’ve learned to slow down.
Before the great pandemic of 2020, I used to be all about the ‘go, go, go’…get shit done. And get it done as quickly and efficiently as possible. I didn’t necessarily plan things very well.
Need to turn a 30 minute workout into 20? Done. Need to skip lunch in order to linger a little longer to find just the right eye shadow at the drug store? If it will give me more time to finish that story later on in the afternoon, I’m all over it. Granted, I’ll end up ravenously hungry later and drown my regrets in a Nachos Bell Grande, but whatever…
This past year, the world has slowed down and I have slowed down with it.
But when I’m stuck at home with only me, myself, and I to contend with? I’ve got more time to examine my transgressions and completely ignore that Zoom meeting so I don’t have to put on that eye shadow I just purchased, let alone a decent shirt.
You can relate, I’m sure.
What I’m trying to say is…things always take longer than they should. Just accept it. This is how the world works now.
5. It’s OK to not be your efficient self.
In the past, I was always about completing my tasks in the most effective way. Well, no more. As a creative, things just don’t happen that way. At least not on this planet.
Being forced to stay at home kind of adjusts your thinking process. No longer am I looking for the best way to go about my day in the most efficient way. This took me a while to accept. I find that I’m moving more deliberately and mindfully. As a result, I move slower. Most of the time, that relates to NOT being efficient.
The older I get, the longer it takes for me to do things. And that’s okay. Even though I’m really healthy, my body doesn’t want to move nearly as fast, even though my brain might have other intentions. It’s fine, you tend to adjust. Just don’t stress over it.
6. I stopped always having a TO DO list (sort of).
The longer I’m on this planet, the more I realize that you just have to let stuff go and GO WITH THE FLOW, BABY. So what if you don’t get even half of your ‘to do’ list done in a day? There is always tomorrow, and next week. And next year. God willing.
Do not beat yourself up about being completely unmotivated from time to time. The mere fact that you have a ‘to do’ list is in and of itself an accomplishment in this strange time we find ourselves in. Every day is a wonderful gift to keep on keeping on. Embrace the moment and enjoy things as much as you can.
The ‘to do’ list can wait until you’re ready to tackle it.
7. Staying home is where it’s at.
As much of a travel junkie as I am, I realized I like to just stay put sometimes. Also, my cats are old and I want to be with them more.
At the start of 2020, I fully intended to adopt a completely nomadic lifestyle. And then the pandemic happened, and all of us in the travel sphere were forced to stop our nomadic ways.
I think that happened for a reason, and it was a very good thing. It forced us to really come to terms with what is important in life. Like the people (and animals) we hold dear.
8. The Sense of Loss feels more profound in lockdown.
Every single one of us has lost something precious over the last year. Whether it has been a loved one, a job, your sense of self, or something not quite as heavy – we have all lost something. And because many of us cannot be together to share in that loss, we have to face it alone, and that in itself makes the grieving process much more profound.
I had a really good friend pass away in 2020. She worked so hard to make her dream a reality, running a hair salon, and for two wonderful years she made it work. But then her business failed because of the covid lockdown.
Not a week after that, she died peacefully in her sleep. It was obvious to me she died from a broken heart because her dream was shattered. Even though she did not die from the virus, it took her life away nonetheless. I think about her every day, and am thankful I had her in my life. She was a great friend.
Last year brought so many truths to the forefront. And in many ways, I’m grateful. It just makes me even more determined to live out my own dreams once we are free to move again. Cherish and love your people. Live every day in the fullest possible way you can. Take time out to do what makes your heart happy on a regular basis.
Even if that means staying in your pajamas and enjoying a bag of chips and some Netflix.
