What 2020 Has Taught Me

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.

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.

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.