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My Slightly Chaotic Life

Balancing Life, Children and Chaos

Lifestyle

What 2020 Has Taught Me

December 28, 2020 Leave a Comment

It is hard to believe that 2020 is just about over. It has been a tough year for many and most, if not all, are looking forward to a new year. I know that I am. Even though 2020 has been pretty much a disaster, there are many things that 2020 has taught me (and hopefully you) about life. So I figured of talking about all the crap things that happened this year I would reflect on what 2020 has taught me instead.

 

Silver lining to 2020? What it has taught me about life. Here is what 2020 taught me about life.

What 2020 Has Taught Me 

How to go with the flow

2020 threw a lot of curveballs at us (anyone else wondering what happened to the murder hornets? Just me?). Remote learning, working from home and in my case, the constantly changing policies and procedures in healthcare. We learned how to adapt, accept change and stay home. We also learned to appreciate being able to hug others, go out to eat without having to wear a mask and visit our grandparents.

While we may have resisted initially because change is hard, we eventually learned to let it go and just go with the flow. This was something I personally had to adapt to working as a nurse in the emergency room. When COVID first reared it’s ugly virus particles in the United States every day would bring new changes in procedures, PPE and incessant e-mails from leadership who sat comfy in their homes telling us to be resilient. Anyone in healthcare knows, is sucked and while it still sucks I have learned to just go with it and my sanity stays somewhat more intact.

Hopefully learning to let go of the familiar and embrace change can help your sanity as well in whatever it is that you have had to adapt to this year.

Teaching is not my specialty

Now more than ever I am eternally grateful for my children’s teachers. They are the most patient and understanding humans in the world. I struggled for several weeks to try and get my son to do his school work at home. We fought, there were many threats and tears and then finally acceptance. Acceptance that I am not a teacher nor will I ever be. For all those other moms out there who feel the same way, you are not alone. Teaching is an art and some of us just don’t have the patience or the will to teach our own children math and writing. I would much rather teach them the life skills like laundry, dishes and the proper way to set the table. Oh and manners. Those are important too.

 Kindness is important

This year has shown a significant divide among everyone. From mask mandates and stay at home orders to the Presidential Election. Our country was divided and people were not hesitant to share how they felt about those that didn’t fall in line with what they believed. This year became a time where I almost completely deleted all social media. I was appalled by the way that people were speaking to each other and even more appalled at how all of a sudden people were unable to disagree in a respectful way.

We teach our children that kindness matters. That being kind to others is an important character trait to have. Yet the adults were bickering, name calling and being terrible to each other over what? A difference of opinion? Kindness is important, and as adults, we should be demonstrating to our children what being kind truly means.

Silver lining to 2020? What it has taught me about life. Here is what 2020 taught me about life.

Children are resilient 

The unspoken group that has been the most affected by this year have been the children. They have been pulled from school and separated from their friends with after school activities and sports severely limited. Everything that makes them a kid was suddenly taken a way with a maybe that someday they would be able to go back to normal living. It’s been hard on them but yet they continue to persevere and push forward. They continue to laugh and find new ways to play and socialize.

Who my people are

This year has shown me who my people are. The ones that have shown up, reached out, and have attempted to connect despite limitations. I’ve lost a couple of friends this year for various reasons and have learned lessons from those loses. The ones that want to be in your life will make the effort to do so which is a huge lesson I have learned throughout this pandemic.

I will say that of course I’m not expecting people to go outside their comfort zones with social distancing and isolation and you shouldn’t either. Texting or calling is still a form of communication and a great way to stay connected and present in other people’s lives. Hell, even a monthly “hey, how are you?” would suffice.

What is something that 2020 has taught you? Here’s to a New Year, maybe not better, but different and another chance to grow.

 

 

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Hi! I'm Danielle. I'm a mom, wife and ED nurse. I love sharing my honest take on being a mom, traveling with kids and lifestyle content.

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I’ve been feeling really overwhelmed and disconn I’ve been feeling really overwhelmed and disconnected lately. From my kids and from my husband. It’s made me feel like a terrible mom and partner. 
This pregnancy has been so hard on my body and mind and I have never felt more alone. Maybe because I’m just trying to out a smile on and be happy but most days I’m struggling. Pregnancy after loss is a constant state of anxiety. Filled with feelings of being scared to become too connected with this baby out of fear of something going wrong. 
But I’m trying and with every passing week my heart relaxes just a little bit more. So here’s to the final stretch, the third trimester and to all the other mamas out there struggling with similar feelings I’m sending you so much love. ❤️
.
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#pregnancyjourney #pregnantmama #thirdtrimester #pregnancyafterloss #pregnancyaftermiscarriage #honestmom #motherhoodunfiltered #motherhoodunplugged #mainemom
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I would love to know your Father’s Days plan this year and how you are celebrating! 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
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#fathersdaygifts #fathersday2022 #giftideasforhim #mombloggers #motherhoodthroughig #celebratedad #parentinglife
Looking for an afternoon pick me up after chasing Looking for an afternoon pick me up after chasing the kids around all day during summer break? (#ad) 
My go to: the New Mango Pineapple Refresher from @dunkin. 
With the summer time flavors of Mango and Pineapple fruit flavors you can combine them with Green Tea, Coconutmilk, or Lemonade to keep you cool and refreshed all summer long. 
Want an even sweeter deal? Sign up to be a Dunkin’ Perks member and earn rewards for your purchases as well as one free medium Dunkin’ Refresher as a new Perks Member. 
Refreshers available through August 16th or while supplies last! 

What’s your summer plans look like? Any fun plans happening this year? 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#dunkinmaine #dunkinpartner #maineliving #mainetheway #lifeofamom #summervibes☀️ #momhood #momlifestyle #newenglandblogger #mainemom #summerinmaine
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@readingeggs is our go to program to help our four year old learn to read. It was developed by highly experienced team of elementary school teachers, writers and developers to help children become fluent and proficient readers. Using a wide range of activities that feel like games, it will keep your busy child interested. 
Reading Eggs can also encourage parents to help children continue to learn over summer break! You can get @readingeggs with a free trial for 30 days and if you get a paid subscription, an accelerated 10-week Reading Eggs and Math Seeds online summer school is included. This is the perfect program for kindergarten to 3rd grade. To learn more, make sure to check out my stories and get your free trial today! 
.
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.
.
.
.
.
.
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.
.
.
#readingeggs #learntoread #eggsplorer #toddlermomlife #schoolfromhome #parentingblogger #kidslearning #earlyeducation #kidsactivities #momlifestyle #momblogs #motherhoodalive
I hate this world that my children are growing up I hate this world that my children are growing up in. My heart sinks a little every time I send them off to school or daycare, terrified that something out of my control will happen to them. I can control what they eat, what they watch, who they play with to an extent but I can’t control the unknown. And right now raising children feels a little like walking into the unknown. 

So where do we go from here?
How do we teach our children about kindness, forgiveness and trust when society these days is throwing the exact opposite in their faces? How do we raise children and make them feel safe in a world that feels so heavy? In the last 24 hours I’ve thought to myself, this could be my children and the pain that goes along with just that thought is not even comparable to the pain the families who sent their children off to school to never come home are feeling right now. The sad truth though is that the next time it could be my children, your children, our community, our schools that are effected by a tragedy like this. 
As a parent this is the most terrifying thought of all. 

 Holding my children a little tighter today and every day because this world is an unpredictable place and holding onto hope that change is coming. ❤️
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#motherhoodunplugged #honestmom #momlifeunfiltered #raisingkids #raisinglittles #workingmom #workingmomlife #motherhoodintheraw #motherhoodunited
My favorite place in my home? My bed and @brooklin My favorite place in my home? My bed and @brooklinen has made it even more comfortable with their bedding bundles. 
Not only are they soft and feel luxurious, the price tag is  completely affordable for any budget. So if your looking to make your bed more welcoming and comfortable (since we spend about 1/3 of our lives in bed anyways!) make sure to check out @brooklinen and use the code daniellenicole to get $20 off $100 or more! 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#gifted #mybrooklinenstyle #cornerofmyhome #bedroominspo #bedroomstyle #mycozyhome #bedroomideas
Anyone else not a big fan of maternity clothing? Anyone else not a big fan of maternity clothing? 
I have absolutely zero desire to buy maternity clothes so seeing how long I can make what’s in my closet work for me. 
Thankful I get to live in dresses, shorts and bathing suits this summer but dreading being in my third trimester during the hottest months here in the Northeast. 
If your pregnant this summer let’s be friends! 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#momstyle #pregnancystyle #pregnantmama #23weekspregnant #joyfulmamas #mamaswithstyle #pregnantstyle #pregnantlife #targetstyle #targetmom #targetfinds #affordablestyle #ltkunder50 #secondtrimester
Anyone else struggle getting enough sleep? I know Anyone else struggle getting enough sleep? I know I do, especially lately.
(ad) @marlowpillow is helping me get better sleep with their cooling, memory foam pillows that are adjustable to the firmness that you like. Making my bed a cozier place to be allows me to get the rest my body is desperate for. Make sure to check out my stories to learn more! 
And the more you buy, the more you save so keep that in mind when your looking to update your space! 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#mycozyhome #homedecorinspo #bedroominspo #cozybedroom #pregnancylife #bettersleep #bedtimereading #momlifeunfiltered #pregnantmama #motherhoodsimplified #bedroomstyling #sleepytime
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