It certainly goes without saying: 2020 was a difficult year. The onset of a global pandemic has thrown almost everything in our lives out of whack, and we’ve had to adapt to this “new normal” we’re experiencing. However, I haven’t seen 2020 as all bad. I certainly don’t wish to diminish the great suffering and trials the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about – job loss, loss of loved ones, economic impact, and all the various ways a global health crisis impacts individuals – but I truly believe it’s important to acknowledge that 2020 hasn’t entirely been a waste of a year.
Perhaps as an introvert I’m a bit more receptive to the lockdowns and slower pace of life (hooray for more alone time without having to be questioned about it!), but I’ve enjoyed some experiences this year that I might not have otherwise.
More time for personal and professional development
At the beginning of the pandemic, many online courses and services were made available for free. With the additional down time and onslaught of resources, many jumped at the opportunity to develop professional skills or learn something new. I hopped on this bandwagon and ended up upgrading my Google Analytics and Ads certifications as well as completing a course on Google Digital Garage, a Project Management course through Coursera, and a couple public speaking courses. I also took the opportunity to revamp my personal website and do some work on websites for others.
More time to focus on my health and fitness
All that time I spent learning inspired me to become more educated about my own body and health. In my new-found spare time I read books about hormones, nutrition, and reproductive health (which was incredibly empowering - ladies, I highly recommend doing this!), started working with a counsellor and reading about family of origin work, and began consistently seeing my RMT and chiropractor for my chronic neck and shoulder problems. When the world shut down I took up running, an activity I initially hated but did because it was the only option at the time. I’m now running once or twice a week and am surprisingly enjoying it. I never thought I’d see the day where I thought a 10km run was fun. When fitness centres began opening back up, I committed to indoor bouldering at least once per week and am finally seeing progression in my skills that I hadn’t in the two years I was climbing prior.
No international travel = more local travel and time outdoors
Like many others, I had a trip cancelled because of COVID. In May I was set to walk the Camino de Santiago, a 790km pilgrimage across Spain that takes around 30 days to complete, by myself. I was crushed that I couldn’t go but in the end it was wonderful to be at home this summer and to experience all that BC’s outdoors have to offer. I went on a 2-night backpacking trip in Manning Park (socially distanced with a few friends), hiked almost every weekend and knocked a couple big hikes off my list (Mt. Brunswick, Panorama Ridge), swam in a glacial lake (Garibaldi Lake), spent hot afternoons soaking in a local creek, and took a two-week sea kayaking course, overcoming my extreme fear of the ocean and of falling in it. I also got outside on my bike a lot more and explored the city with friends and on my own. Some of the solitary Camino experience I was supposed to have was preserved in these solo outings.
Re-discovering old hobbies
With so much time spent at home many turned to Netflix shows (anyone remember the Tiger King craze?) and baking sourdough to fill our time, and
I’m sure many of us also picked up new hobbies or rediscovered old ones. For me, I picked up my paintbrushes and created a collection of peg dolls. I also rediscovered my love of ink drawing and made a few pieces that I may try to sell! Many of our hobbies may have come to a halt this year, but there was plenty of room to explore new ones.
I think it’s important in the midst of all this chaos, heartbreak, and unknown to turn to the things that make us happy and immerse ourselves in them. To recognize the good in a time of turmoil can be difficult, but it can also be transformative. Our mindset is what will determine how we remember 2020; will we remember it as the year we felt hopeless, scared, and like we had nothing to live for, or will we remember it as an opportunity for rest, growth, and connection in new ways? Going into 2021 I have so much hope for what this year holds but I’m not running away from 2020 and wanting to forget it in the past. I choose to recognize the good in this year and acknowledge that in the grand scheme of things it has shaped me as a person. I know that in years to come when I look back on 2020 I will be in disbelief that things were ever the way they were, but I also hope to look back with fondness at the memories made and the ways I grew.