20 Things 2020 Taught Me

I’ve said it a million times, but this has been one of the most interesting years ever.  I am not the least bit sad to tell 2020 goodbye!  Even though this has been a dumpster fire of a year, it has taught me several things about me, about other people, and about life. So, I guess I’ll take the crookeds with the straights.  I’ll take what I learned in 2020 to be a better me in 2021. 

Here’s what 2020 taught me:

1. I am very resourceful.  When we were confined to the house, we made do without several things that we swore we couldn’t do without previously!  
2. I actually don’t mind staying home for multiple days in a row.  In fact, I kind of miss quarantine. 
3. Teaching is such a thankless job.  The way that teachers have been bashed throughout this pandemic is so disheartening. 
4. It is important to call friends and family occasionally.  You can’t really tell how someone is doing via text messages. 
5. The internet/social media isn’t so bad.  It’s the PEOPLE who put mean stuff on social media who make it bad.  The hide/unfriend/snooze buttons are my new best friends!  I choose PEACE! 
6. Everything can change overnight. Don’t take things for granted. 
7. I like cooking way more than I thought.  And, I’m actually pretty good at it (or my family is just really, really mindful of my feelings). 
8. Exercise a huge component of losing weight.  It was not until I committed myself to exercise 4-5 times a week that I truly saw (and maintained) results.  I said goodbye to 40 pounds in 2020. 
9. “No New Friends” is dumb. If I had kept that mentality, I would have missed out on some amazing friendships.  Thankful for new friendships. 
10. There is absolutely no shame in seeing a therapist.  Your friend is not your therapist. Your spouse is not your therapist. Your children are not your therapist. 
11. Mind your business.  It’s so much more peaceful that way. 
12. You are responsible for your own happiness.  If you wait for someone else to make you happy, you’ll be disappointed. 
13. Little things mean a lot.  Appreciate what you’ve got.  What’s for you is for you.  
14. Ditch the things (and people) who drain you.  Do not continue pouring time and resources into things that leave you feeling worse than when you start. 
15. Pick your battles!  You do not have to attend every fight that you’re invited to.  Protect your peace!
16. It’s never too late.  If you have something that you’ve wanted to do for a long time, take the plunge!
17. Make lots of memories.  One day, the memories may be all that you have. 
18. Sometimes silence says more than words.  
19. Family is not just the people that you are related to by blood.  
20. Having a positive attitude makes a big difference in gloomy situations.