It’s now time to say Goodbye 2020! It has been a different year, with the global pandemic changing how we work, live and love. I’m not much into resolutions myself: I believe change is an incremental process and I will still wake up the same person after NYE. However, I think it’s worth looking back to put things in perspective.
In 2020 alone we witnessed a global pandemic, climate change, wildfires, natural disasters, war, hunger, social unrest, abominable discrimination, police violence, political incompetence, multiple threats to democracy in different corners of the world. Check out the New York Times Year in Pictures for a great retrospective in images.
We live in a world that’s broken. We broke the world. And it’s time to take responsibility for what we’ve done and work together to fix it.
While we might be inclined to look at the empty half of the glass first, we should also pay attention to the half that’s full. In all this mess, we still saw lots of examples of kindness, solidarity, collaboration. And I think this is what will take us forward.
For me personally, 2020 wasn’t such a bad year. Looking back:
- I was lucky not to loose anyone I love – they are all healthy and safe and I couldn’t be more grateful for this;
- With WFH and all business travel to a halt, I got to spend more meaningful time with my family;
- I rediscovered the joy in the little things: hugs & kisses, holding hands, trips in nature close to where we live.
Of course there was also anxiety coming along with the uncertainty, the feeling of burning out between never-ending calls, cancelled plans, fear. I think it’s normal though to be scared when gazing into the unknown and I choose to take with me the good vibes and leave the bad behind.
New Year, Same Me
I’m sure that I’m going to wake up the exact same person tomorrow and I don’t believe in New Year resolutions, but in SMART goals that are followed consistently until completion. However, I think it’s important to set some guidelines for the year ahead. These are not resolutions, themselves, but behaviour guidelines, mere rules of thumb to help me navigate through 2021.
- Be grateful for everything I have, for every person in my life, for all the smiles and beautiful moments shared with them;
- Never ever take anything or anyone for granted;
- Stop worrying about things that are outside of my control;
- Spend less time online and much less on the phone;
- Be present: enjoy the journey and everything that comes along with it
With that being said, it’s now time to say proper goodbyes! I don’t want to f*ck 2020. Quite on the contrary: thanks 2020 for being kind to me, thanks for all the lessons and things I learnt about myself. Let’s be hopeful for what the future brings. Goodbye 2020, welcome 2021!