2020 - Confronting realities we've been ignoring far too long

As we approach the end of the year, you will undoubtedly see and hear many perspectives and reflection on the year that was. As expected, it is a time to review the lessons learned while also looking forward to the year ahead. For the most part you'll hear that 2020 was a tough year and rightly so. It was the year of the pandemic that affected the world on such scale never seen before in our lifetime. And while the year brought many negative aspects to light including health, job losses, mental health and the loss of connection, it also brought many positive aspects with it as well. While it was a tough year, remember that some experienced 2020 as their best year ever. And this might be the reason why:
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We were forced to confront realities we've been ignoring for far too long

Work
While losing your job is a tough situation to experience, it also allowed people to revaluate their priorities in their lives. Without this jolt of reality, some may never have had the opportunity to step back to envision the life that they want. Was this job that important to me? Did this career provide me purpose? Is this something I want to do with the rest of my life? Does the company actually value me as an employee? This pandemic brought light to many of these conversations that we've been putting off for far too long. For some, this has created a new way of looking at your work and the impact you want to leave behind. For others, it revealed that the path they've been on has been the wrong one for far too many years.


Relationships
Before the pandemic, we were often floating between conversations, connections and relationships throughout the minutes and hours of the day. From work relationships to relationships at home, we were only scratching the surface. Am I really spending quality time with my partner? My kids? My friends and colleagues? During the lockdown, we were forced to dive deep into the relationship we had with others and we were confronted with the realities of where the relationships were strong and others that were not. Some relationships ended, some relationships realized they are stronger than they first thought. Either way, this year has taught us that relationships are sacred and they need time and attention in order for it to flourish. In the end, we've also discovered that connections with others is a basic human need along with food, water and shelter.


Time
Previous to 2020 we've always assumed that life would just carry on. That we had enough time and time was always around. I'll call that friend next week or I'll catch up with them next time. What this year has taught us is that we don't have as much time as we think we do. And no one truly knows how much of it we have. Seeing that friend for coffee next time turned out to be weeks and months away. For some, that next time never happened again. We have to stop assuming that time will go on and stop taking things for granted in all aspects. We have today, we have this present moment and that is all we can guarantee.


My goal heading into 2021 is that we do not forget the lessons of 2020 and use it as a year of opportunity. Yes, 2020 was a tough year, but in my story, it was the year of great realization and with it, the best year of my life.