2021: 8 Lasting Lessons From 2020

It’s been one helluva ride, 2020. For some, last year was the worst year ever: cancelled plans, not seeing friends and family, job loss, etc. For others, it wasn’t as bad: excuses to not go out (hello, introverts!), getting more time to self, etc. Whether it was bad or good, it sure taught us many things. 2021, here are 8 lasting lessons from 2020.

2020 Lesson 1: No man is an island.

First lesson from 2020: no man is an island. We all need to socialize to survive. Food, water, shelter, and clothing might be all we need to get on physically, but connecting with others keeps us mentally stable. Even Tom Hanks’ character had to talk to Wilson, a soccer ball with a face, to stay sane in the movie Cast Away.

After months of social distancing, many felt the pains of isolation. Even with video, chat, and calls, not being able to interact with our friends and family in person can take a toll on our well-being. A study from ScienceDirect suggests that social distancing can have negative effects on mental health.

So in 2021, let’s learn to communicate and network more. Check in with your family and friends regularly. Make an effort to greet a stranger “good morning” on your grocery run or afternoon walk. You might find it uncomfortable at first, but try to do it anyway. Human interaction, although socially distanced and with a mask, still helps us all feel connected. Not only will it feel good for you, it might help someone get through the day as well.

2020 Lesson 2: There is hope, always.

2020 taught us that no matter how bleak things are looking, there is always a silver lining. Even when the whole world is in disarray and despair, hope is there, always. We made it to 2021, didn’t we? Despite everything, life went on.

So in 2021, try to smile. Life is way too short to wallow in sadness or tears. Sure, it’s okay to feel down and cry when life feels too heavy, but after it all, try your best to smile. Even if people say “it’s the end of the world” or “it’s gonna get worse”, you better believe that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

To remind us all to smile (and instantly lift our moods), here’s a free wallpaper for you! I hope it makes you smile whenever you see it.

2020 Lesson 3: Be grateful.

In the past, eating out, going to a party, and commuting to work, was normal. Hugs, kisses, and handshakes were nothing out of the ordinary. Travelling for vacations was something we did. In a flash, everything changed. 2020 reminded us that the only constant thing in this world is change, and that change sometimes happens in an instant.

Therefore, one of the lessons from 2020 is to be grateful. Every experience, every moment is a gift. Whatever we have right now, be thankful for it. Treasure time with your loved ones, because you never know when you will see them next, or have the chance to hold them close. Try not to take anything for granted, because even the most mundane things can turn our world upside down when they are suddenly taken away from us.

The best thing about being thankful is that it changes our perspective. We are suddenly more positive and we realize that life is not as bleak as we make it. We find more reasons to smile and be happy, which we all know we need more of in this new year. Incorporate that gratitude attitude in your daily life with these 9 easy ways.

2020 Lesson 4: Nothing is set in stone.

Plans, schedules, deadlines…they all went down the drain when COVID happened. It just goes to show that no matter how fixed something may seem, it can always be changed in the blink of an eye. Nothing is set in stone.

This might seem scary, at first. But then if you look at it another way, it can bring hope. Even if things can change at any moment, we can still have the same goals and dreams. We just have to replan and find another way to them.

The sooner we accept that change is the only constant, the faster we can adapt to whatever life throws us. And when you’re finding it hard to cope with change, here are 3 tips to thrive with transitions.

2020 Lesson 5: We’re tougher than we think.

Who would’ve thought that we’d live through a pandemic? In the course of just a few weeks, even less for some, people have had to overhaul business plans, adapt to foreign environments, and innovate new ways to live, work, and play. Back then, planning changes like these would take months or even years. 2020 showed us that we can make things work (and sometimes, work better) even in the craziest situations.

One of the lessons from 2020 that we should take into the new year is that we are much tougher than we think. Even under extreme pressure, we can survive…and thrive! We can adapt to different situations in so little time. We can be flexible when we need to be. So the next time you face a challenge, know that you can absolutely get through—stronger and wiser.

2020 Lesson 6: Be kind.

In one of the rare moments in history, the whole world was plunged into a period of uncertainty last year. We were battling a common foe that we did not know a lot about. But that also showed us that we weren’t all in the same boat. Some had it easy, while many had it hard. We were all in different boats—financially, mentally, emotionally.

As we row into this new year, let us make an effort to be kind. Everyone is facing some inner battle we can’t see, just as you yourself are. Even if you think that this person has it better, it may be that you are simply tougher mentally. We’ve had enough negativity last year. Let’s do our part to lift each other up in 2021.

This also includes you. Forgive and take care of yourself. How can you be kind to others when you’re not kind to yourself? Don’t forget to commit to self-care to regularly refill your cup. Here are some ways to relax your mind, body, heart and soul.

2020 Lesson 7: We don’t need much.

Another one of the lasting lessons from 2020: we only need so little to survive. Staying at home with limited supplies and uncertain finances forced us to stick to the bare necessities for a while. No more fancy shoes or clothes since you’re not going out anyway. No more salon or spa visits since they’re closed.

Sure, some of us went a bit overboard on the online shopping after a few months, but if you think about it, wasn’t there one thing or another that you realized you don’t really need? Now list those down and remember, they’re wants, not needs. No need to get them regularly in 2021 and beyond (hello to more savings!).

To remind you of how much you don’t really need and how little you can survive on, here’s this fun video from The School of Life about resilience. Keep it in mind the next time you see that ad about a sale!

2020 Lesson 8: We all have a choice.

The biggest lesson from 2020 for me is that we all have the freedom to choose. Each moment is a choice—a choice to stay in bed or show up. A choice to wait it out or to make things happen. To adapt and adjust, or to grin and bear it. And it’s up to you to make it.

In 2021 and beyond, we can choose to live our lives as fully as we can, despite all odds, pandemic or not.

If you’re itching to get your life on track (like me), this free planner might help! Write down your goals, self-care plan, highlights, and things you’re grateful for every month. It’s a great way to start and end each chapter of 2021.

Bring these lasting lessons from 2020 into the new year

Everything that happens to us offers us an opportunity to learn and grow. Last year was no different. Despite being extremely difficult to get through, we made it to the next. Hopefully, these lasting lessons from 2020 will be our battle scars, our constant reminders.

2021 is going to be what we make of it. Let’s try our best to apply everything we’ve learned so we can take this new year, and all the next ones, by storm!

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