What we can collectively learn from 2020 and how we can move forward
This past year has been a very difficult one for all of us. 2020 felt really long but at the same time, we couldn’t achieve most of the things we envisioned or wanted to do. At the beginning of each year, we tend to have an everlasting list of new year resolutions, expectations and objectives. Having spent the first half 2020 alone in London far from home, making the decision of closing my office following the pandemic and making two of my part-time staff redundant due to Covid-19, I felt like a failure. At the beggining of the year, everything seemed on track and that I was making progress until March — then suddenly — the tables were turned. The fact that I also lost my grandma recently this year, didn’t help. However, now looking back respectively I can see there were a lot of lessons, valuable moments, achievements and conversations I established. A good thing this pandemic allowed us to do was to look at things in perspective again. There were a lot to learn, to think, to listen to, and to give space to… I am personally very greatful for it.
The new year brings a lot of opportunities and hope, but we cannot expect instant normality either. Similarly to Metamorphosis — the biological process of an animal physically developing, involving a conspicuous and abrupt change in the animal’s body structure through cell growth- we are all in the cusp of change with an unforeseen future. A global pandemic followed by many redundancies and economic volatility, climate change issues, nationwide and international protests over racial injustice, a contentious presidential election in the US dominated last year. This without a doubt created anxiety in all of us and as also stated by Time magazine’s cover, made 2020 one of the worst years of all times. But what did we actually learn? Did we have any positive outcomes (no silly, I didn’t mean testing positive for Covid-19)?
Instead of listing unrealistic New Year resolutions, expectations and reaffirming myself and my readers how amazing 2021 will be, I’ll be listing 10 things what we collectively learned and how we can implement it this year:
- The importance of true friendship and family
All of us has experienced a form of loss or wasn’t able to see loved ones due to the pandemic this year. Whether it was through a support bubble, our flat mates or immediate family who we live with, we grew to understand and appreciate them more. Up until now, I hadn’t had any online Zoom dinners or evening quizzes. Yes, maybe they were not ideal but the Internet definitely made it easier for us to virtually see and talk to the people we really care about. I don’t think I ever saw my mom this little in comparison to previous years, the difficult situation really helped me appreciate spending time with her.
- That it is okay to accept not everything is perfect
Disaster after disaster, the global news this year was definitely overwhelming. With many travel restrictions and job cuts, we were not rested well enough with nowhere to go. I personally struggled with the transition of having all of my meetings on Zoom — I was exhausted — both mentally and pyhsically. Social media usually paints a whole different picture, where people always boast how amazing everything is. This year, I realised I just can’t pretend that everything is perfect, it is okay to accept there are shit days. Once you accept and move forward, I think then it becomes that easier to enjoy the simple, little things in life.
- Self care and pampering oneself is important
I think the thing that got me through the first lockdown the most was definitely my bubble baths and Korean sheet masks. Since I started spending more time in my house, I realised I wanted to nurture it and make it a place of relaxation. Candles and house plants really helped that.
- It is essential to have a break and try to minimise our screen time
After my increasing use of social media, laptop and news apps, I realised my eyes and my brain needed a break in between. Whilst I was cooking or cleaning, I started to listen to podcasts and formed a book club with my boyfriend over Whatapp call on my free times. I managed to squeeze in half an hour of yoga first thing in the morning or right before lunch which gave me balance. I highly recommend this to anyone and advise you to enjoy the tactile elements in life.
- Moving, getting outside for a stroll or for a run will clear your mind and give energy
Talking about too much screen time, with all of the lockdown restrictions and forced quarantine rules, there were times I never leaved the house. On those days, I was grumpy and even more tired than usual. Even if it short 15 minute walks distributed within the day, it is important to find time to move around.
- It is important to listen to your body
Having said that moving is essential, we must not put too much pressure on our bodies and exaggerate either. Some days we simply cannot run for an hour, do two hours of yoga and do pilates all in the same day. That is completely FINE.
- We can build meaningful and stronger connections
I really enjoyed my one-on-one connections and talks thanks to the gathering restrictions. Maybe in the past, where I was accustomed to go to all these gallery openings and events, meeting dozens of people in one night really wasn’t the best way to further meaningful conversations. Less can definitely be more in this context.
- Patience is an actual virtue
Following the first lockdown, I had this overpowering sense of impatience and anger. I realised this anger wasn’t really projected towards someone or something but it was to do with my unmet expectations. I was tired of the virtual meetings and events, I was fed up of lack of funding for my art project and couldn’t justify spending all that money on an organisation without any physical projects to work on. Anyone who works in the non-profit creative sector will know that you need to be an idealist to move forward- I was faced with the brutal reality too many times. Now, I accept this and understand it is important to be patient. It is much better for my mental well-being anyway.
- Try not to panic and get lost in the hype
At the beginning of the pandemic there were a bizarre behaviour of panic buying and stocking up uncontrollably on toilet paper (I know… It still baffles me. I certainly did overbuy some items on amazon and stocked up on pasta and sheet masks ( I did manage to consume all of them though). What I mean is, it is very easy to follow a trend or get sucked into a hype. A clear of mind and thinking before we act is essential. I found that meditating and writing down tasks early in the morning before I start working helped me a lot.
I think there are probably even more things that can be added to this list but these were my top 10. What were yours? What did you learn and what are your expectations of 2021?
