Posts Tagged ‘New Year’

Just like many people, 2020 was definitely a difficult year for me. Yes, COVID was/is definitely in my face, but there was so much more.

I am reflecting on the year and I think, where do I even start to unravel what has happened this year? Do I start with Covid? Do I start with the transformation and/or loss of some very close relationships I have or had?
Do I start with the deaths of friends that has affected me on a very personal level? Do I start with the health challenges I have had? Do I start with the shift in the work that I have been doing? Not to mention the average normal stuff like renovations, shift in finances, or the start of a new business.

It has been a challenging year, with significant loss, much grief and frustration. Despite this, I think the one thing that has kept me sane and able to deal and heal (work in progress here) in each of these circumstances is to always look for the good in things. Finding the gratitude or the silver lining or whatever phrase you want to use to describe the gold that comes from the shitty situations we can be in.

There is always something good in each situation that comes our way. It sometimes can take a little time to see that good or gold…but it is there.
It doesn’t need to be this monumental amazing outcome or thing that came from the situation either. It can be quiet, subdued, sometime small…but still very significant.

So…what is good about my 2020?
I have learned a lot about grief. I am very thankful for that. I have learned even more about self care acceptance. I have learned more about being ok with not being ok. I am very thankful for this.

I have learned more about meal planning and eating more at home. I have learned more about baking, especially bread. Yum! I have learned more about gardening and growing fruits and veggies. Lots of gratitude for these opportunities.

I am grateful for the solitude that 2020 has brought me. This has allowed for me to just be and practice more of living in the present moment. I am grateful for this.

I am really grateful for Double Stuffed Oreo Cookies. First time trying them was in 2020! Haha 🙂

The list could go on.

I get it though…we all love a good pity party and to wallow in our shit. I’m not saying don’t feel sorry for yourself or not to get angry. Spend a little time with these feelings if you want/need to. Just don’t stay there.

I have a sister with disabilities and when we were younger she would get quite upset and have tantrums that we called snits. One of the things we would do while she was at the beginning or in the middle of a snit was to tell her to turn it around. Kind of like telling an angry person to calm down…worked some of the time, right? Other times it escalates the situation. 🙂

Anyway…this phrase has always stuck with me and I have found that when I get stuck in a place (wallowing a little too long) I would tell myself that it was time to turn it around. I usually said “Ok Drea, time to turn this shit around.” Just by saying that phrase, it has allowed me to go into a different headspace. It usually makes me laugh…so for me, it really works as a great pattern interrupter. I can then shift and start looking for the positive in the situation, or at least begin to move from where I was stuck.

As we move into the last day of 2020, many of us will reflect on our year and start looking at what we would like to see for 2021.
I think perhaps for myself, rather than project into the new year, I am going to stay present and focus on this moment and what I can and will bring into it. Peace, Joy and Love. And of course, lots of laughing. I love to laugh. Perhaps a little champagne too… 🙂
Much love to you and yours for 2021.

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“No matter how hard the past is, you can always begin again.” — Jack Kornfield