9 Valuable Lessons 2020 Has Taught Us: A Year of Tough Love

If you’re anything like me, you love a fresh start. And what is more promising of a fresh start than a new year on the horizon? Starting a new year feels like a Monday on steroids – a fresh start overdrive. When 2020 started, we had no idea it would turnout like this. 2020 has thrown us countless curveballs, surprises and unexpected plot twists. It has also shown us what is really important, the power of working together and what kindness really is. I’m going to share with you 9 valuable lessons 2020 has taught us, and how it was really the tough love kick in the butt we needed.

We Might Have Made an Oops…

It’s no secret that we took life as we knew it for granted. We thrived on social events, gathering in public spaces, and a world where we didn’t have to constantly worry about ourselves and everyone around us. The concept of personal space didn’t exist, we overlooked the importance of washing our hands and we filled our schedules to the brim because we could. We took for granted the freedom we had, the convenience and simplicity we had and of course, the time with our family and friends.

It’s not to say there is a right or wrong way to live, but this is definitely a wake up call for all of us. This pandemic has shone a huge light on the problematic areas of our lives, society, politics and healthcare. The skeletons in our closets are out. True colours have been shown, and we can’t unsee some of the things we’ve seen.

9 VALUABLE LESSONS 2020 HAS TAUGHT US: A YEAR OF TOUGH LOVE

Below, I’m going to share with you the 9 valuable lessons 2020 has taught us, and how we can continue to learn from them.

1. Being Busy is Not a Badge of Honour

Pre-pandemic, being busy was associated with success, achievement and status. When you were busy, you were perceived as being important. We compared schedules and tried to one up others. If we weren’t grinding all the time, we were considered lazy or un-driven.

This pandemic has forced us to slow down. Things have been cancelled, public places have been closed, and our schedules have slimmed down. We’ve had a rare opportunity to have a second to look at our lives and focus on what really matters. By being forced to slow down, we’ve had the chance to see how problematic our lives were when we were busy, and filling every waking moment with tasks. Our health has suffered, our mindset isn’t functioning optimally, and we don’t take the time for friends and family like we should. 2020 has taught us the importance of slowing down and being intentional with our time.

3 MIN READ: Why I Stopped Being Busy

2. Your Home Environment REally Does Matter

Since we’ve been spending so much time at home, our space really does matter. How we clean, organize and feel when we’re at home is intertwined with our mindset, health and wellbeing. Creating a living space that gives us peace of mind, feels safe and cozy to come home to, and reflects who we are is key to feeling ourselves at home.

Good Read: 11 Ways To Make Your Home More Healthy

3. Your Friends and FAmily are What Matters Most

There’s no doubt in the past we’ve taken time with our friends and family for granted. We’ve definitely let effort to stay in touch fall by the wayside or avoided spending time with our family. One of the most valuable lessons 2020 has taught us is that making time for the people in our lives that we love is very important.

When we were unable to see our friends and family, we felt that loss of connection, sadness and feelings of loneliness. The people in our lives matter more than any material possession or experience. The feeling of being able to reunite with them is the most magical feeling.

4. Supporting Local is Vital to Our Communities

While we’ve all had a tough year, it’s safe to say small business owners have had a very hard time. Without having foot traffic in their stores or the ability to offer indoor dining, small businesses have been hit very hard and are doing their best to keep their heads afloat. Small businesses are what gives our communities character and life, and there’s no way we’d be the same without them! Supporting local has become more important than ever this year, and serves as a reminder to shop small and shop local.

Good Read: 10 Powerful Ways to Support Local

5. WE Take Our Health For Granted

If we are healthy, we don’t often think or worry about coming into contact with germs and viruses. One of the valuable lessons 2020 has taught us is that we have taken for granted in the past the ability to leave the house without worrying. Those who are immunocompromised or with many health ailments often face these worries on the daily, only amplified by the presence of the virus.

We have taken for granted that healthcare will always be widely available and 100% accessible, however the pandemic has opened our eyes to what happens when there are shortages and disparities in the system.

6. WE’ve Forgotten to Add Joy to Our Lives

One of the most notable things about this pandemic is so many people had the time to get back into a hobby, or pick up something new. As mentioned above in number 1, being so busy has left many people without the time to take on their passions and activities they enjoy. Having to slow down and stay home gave many people the opportunity to bring joy back into their lives, and encouraged them to find something new to pass the time.

7. THE VALUES OF THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE ARE IMPORTANT

It’s no secret that one of the most valuable lessons 2020 has taught us has to do with the people we have in our lives. Whether we wanted to or not, we became quickly aware of the values the people in our lives held. When it comes to posting on social media, engaging in practices that keep us safe (wearing masks, social distancing) and ongoing developments, it’s no secret that some people’s values don’t align with ours. This year, a lot of people admittedly distanced themselves from a few people based on their behaviour and words.

8. It’s the Little Things That Matter

Going for a walk outside, connecting with a loved one, enjoying a coffee in a coffee shop – it’s the little things that make up the bulk of our lives. Not being able to do the things we find so much joy in and that make up so much of our lives has been an eye opener. 2020 has taught us to savour these moments, to no longer take for granted the small things that bring us joy.

9. Nothing Lasts Forever

Just like our way of life before the pandemic didn’t last forever, neither will this. This valuable lesson is meant more to be able to cherish what we have while we have it, and to live in the present. In reminding ourselves that nothing lasts forever, we learn to appreciate our current triumphs and challenges, while remaining humble and realizing they are always due to change.

A Year of Tough Love

If you’re reading this, no matter how great or bad 2020 was for you, you survived. There are so many valuable lessons 2020 has taught us, and it’s important to remember to carry on these lessons into the new year and beyond. Slow down, make intentional choices, be kind and appreciate what you have.