Looking Back at 2020 and Forward to 2021

2020

2020 has been a strange and difficult year. 

Being separated from friends and family has been the most difficult aspect of it, but there were others. I had planned to attend more book and author events, but those were all cancelled. I was reading a lot of books and really enjoying them, but as we went into lockdown I struggled to concentrate for long enough to get through new ones. 

There were other aspects that I was going to be more productive with. Going out more with friends, for one. Going to the gym regularly, for another. I started going to the gym around October 2019 and I was enjoying it, but it then seemed like a scary place to be in February, and I cancelled my membership before we came out of the first lockdown here in the UK. 

There have been some upsides to this year. I was able to work from home, which I’ve enjoyed as I usually would have to commute into Birmingham by train; this was often a nightmare. My cats have really enjoyed me being home and are usually with me throughout the working day. If I’m feeling a bit stressed from work, being able to take a few minutes to pet or play with them has been wonderful. 

2021

I know that the years are technically more or less arbitrary – it’s just another day and 2021 isn’t necessarily different from 2020 by virtue of it being a new year. We’ve still got a pandemic to deal with and all of the economic, physical health, and mental health fallout from it to deal with. But 2020 has been so awful that I think it will be cathartic to have a new year on the calendar. That we’re not in 2020 anymore will allow us to breathe and take stock, to find joy and purpose. 

This has been an isolating year and 2021 will be much of the same, but the hope to get out of it is there with the vaccines that are now being distributed. Our outlook can make a big difference and words and images are important. 2020 is a symbol of isolation and stress. 2021 is a symbol of an end to that isolation. 

So, let’s leave 2020 as the dumpster fire that it was. 

We’ve made it through to the other side. 

It’s over. 

Beyond 2021

Even though 2021 will start off rocky, I believe it will get better. There will be time to look at the why and the how this happened – the climate change and social/political aspects will be crucial. But we got through 2020 and now we have the opportunity to take stock and find solutions to issues that have come to a head because of this pandemic.

This post is mostly just me trying to tell myself that 2021 will be better so that I start the year with the excitement that 2020 has drained from me. There are a lot of things that I want to accomplish this year and I’m looking forward to them. 

Stay safe, stay hopeful, and Happy New Year!