I mean, I honestly feel like I could write a book on this topic! WHAT A YEAR. Things definitely went off the rails after our Chiefs Super Bowl win! I’m a homebody, so I honestly didn’t mind stay at home orders in the spring. I didn’t know anyone who had been personally affected by COVID and I got so much quality time with my people. We did all of the things and got into a new, laid-back routine. However, after many months of living differently, I’m keenly aware of the toll this year has taken on many, including myself. Physically, mentally, and emotionally, I think that people are ready to take the lessons of the year and move forward.
- LIKE YOUR PEOPLE. Not just love them- but LIKE them! Get to know their interests. Have in depth-conversations. Spend one on one time with them (think father/daughter, mother/son and vice versa). Treasure them. They are the most important people, and doing life, especially under lockdown, is so much better when you have fun with them.
- GET OVER IT. Life is too short. Stop holding grudges and spending energy being upset over the littlest things. Breathe, say your piece, then move on and let it go!
- FOCUS ON WHAT YOU HAVE. This is hard if 2020 was going to be your year for a big purchase, trip, in-depth home improvement project or a possible career advancement. Spending on wants rather than needs quickly took a backseat this year as many worried about job security and health. I made every effort to focus on the good and encouraged my kids to do the same when they were disappointed about all of the things they weren’t able to do. I’m so appreciative of the life we have right now and have no intentions of taking it for granted.
- SAY YES MORE. As a mom, I feel like my reflex is to say no before I’ve even processed what my kids’ question is. Ha! So much changed for them this year and they were so good at adjusting, being resilient, doing more daily chores than ever, and going with the flow. All of these changes caused me to make an effort to say yes anytime I could. I wanted nothing more than to give them some joy wherever we could find it. I said yes a lot… to relaxed bedtimes, more screentime, Chik-fil-A, donut trucks, Kona Ice trucks, and a puppy. Thank goodness for that last one, because when our older dog Remi passed, we all clung to Crew and were so grateful for the joy he brought us!
- GO OUTSIDE. With limited sports (for kids and on tv), closed gyms, and shortened school days, we found ourselves with a lot of extra time during some of the best weather months of the year. While we already knew fresh air and vitamin D were important, this year was a great reminder that they’re an instant mood booster and a great place to have distanced, creative fun!
I’m so grateful for these lessons. Even while 2021 brings so much hope and promise for brighter days, I plan to hold on to each of them.
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