I don’t need to tell you that it has been a strange year. For everyone. Because you already know. It is New Year’s Eve, and today brings about a hope for something new, a beginning to rival all beginnings. We all hope that the pandemic goes away, that we can travel again, school goes back to normal, and we all can find jobs. And ultimately, we hope to be able to hug people again, and shop without a mask.
I usually don’t do these year in review type things, mostly because my year has never been that interesting. But this year, I actually have a few things I want to remember.
This year, I didn’t have a job. I didn’t work a single day. And it was glorious. I caught up on sleep. I spent time with my children. I learned that I really don’t mind doing dishes and cleaning my kitchen. I started exercising every day and eating better. I’ve lost 25 lbs. I created new knitting patterns and have hopes to start selling my knitwear online this year. I read over 24 books. And I successfully grew two avocado plants and kept them alive.
I even wrote the second book in the series I’ve created. I’m still waiting to hear about the fate of the first one, which I sent out to an editor this day last year, but COVID seems to have put the publishing world on hold for a bit. But that didn’t stop me from forging ahead to write the next book.
It’s still in need of some scenes and a lot of editing. But the main story is done. I have proof that if I really want to write a book in a year, I can. I just needed time to write. And the will to actually do it.
Many people will dwell on the worst times of this year, but I would like to look at the positives that we did have. This year gave us time with the people and places that mean the most to us. Our families and our homes were places of refuge, our small castles where we hunkered down to ride out the storm. And through it all, we still found ways to connect with others, to reach out, to tell people we are there for them. We found comfort in playing video games with our children, catching up on Netflix shows, learning how to save our money when things were tight.
Halfway through the year, I started a thing that I truly believe works. I started meditating, thinking good thoughts about what I wanted in this world. I gave thanks for all I had, for all the things the universe has given me. For allowing me the time to find out exactly what I want to do and be. Some people call this manifesting. Send your positive thoughts for what you want out into the universe, and somehow they will happen.
It doesn’t happen overnight, or in the way you think, but if you are grateful every day, and spend a few minutes sitting quietly, listening to the world, the world listens back. It picks up on what you’re thinking. And if you put forth an effort, if you make an attempt to be who you really want to be, something magical can happen.
I am grateful that I have people in my life that I care about, and they care about me. I have family that is healthy, and my children and I get to spend time with each other. My book may not be published (yet) but I am hopeful that it soon will. And while I still don’t have a job, I have hope that the right one will find me, exactly when I need one.
For me, 2020 wasn’t so bad, not really. Wearing a mask is a bit strange, but at least I’ve not had to wear makeup when I leave the house. And I have hope for the new year, for new adventures that lie in my future. For the new me that I’ve been recreating for the past 365 days.
My wish for everyone for 2021 is simple: think positive thoughts, do the things you love, and the universe will surprise you. Stay healthy. And above all, be kind. Happy New Year!