Lessons From 2020 to Carry Into 2021

There is no doubt that 2020 has been a year of adjustment. We have learned valuable lessons collectively as a society, and on an individual level as well. Whether they involved finances, social engagement, emotional health, or work, they taught us valuable insights that we may not have otherwise gained during a typical year. As this year begins closing behind us, let’s recognize the valuable lessons learned that we can apply for years to come. Here are three important lessons from 2020 that will be beneficial in 2021…

Prioritize your health
This year has certainly taught us how precious our health and wellness are. Good health is not a given; it is a privilege, and you must treat it as so. Moving into 2021, remember this idea as you make your choices daily. Remember the importance of washing your hands, getting adequate rest, staying hydrated, and other good health practices. Also ask yourself, “How will I better take care of myself in 2021?” It may be time to reevaluate your habits and identify ways to improve. For example, if you found yourself less active in 2020, then try integrating a walk at the end of your day with a friend into your schedule, or search for at home workouts on the Internet that interest you and make a habit of exercising. If you have been practicing positive habits already, how will you keep them up in the new year? For example, if you’ve been able to incorporate more vegetables into your meals while staying at home, go online and discover new and fresh recipes that allow you to continue to do. No matter what your goal is, take responsibility for your health as you enter the new year.

Be grateful for your family
As a parent, you’ve added full time teacher, coach, friend, chef, etc. to your already lengthy list of roles—and boy, has it been a lot to take on. But, there is a bright side to it all: these moments you’ve had with your children are memories that you may never would have been able to experience in a pre-pandemic world. Savor time with your family and practice positive parenting as you head into the new year. 2021 may include more dinners together, more family walks, more at-home soccer practices, more genuine conversations about how everyone is doing, and most importantly, more togetherness within the family. As you enjoy this family time, practice gratitude in the moment. Be present; remove distractions and focus on having fun. In addition, the end of the year is an opportunity to reflect on your family life. What have you done differently this year that has allowed for more meaningful time together? What activities or habits do you want to keep up next year? Maybe it’s delaying dinner time by an hour or hosting family movie night every Friday at 7pm. Carry this momentum of togetherness from 2020 into 2021 in order to continue strengthening and unifying your family system.

Maintain a positive mindset
As routines were uprooted and life seemed out of control, a positive attitude and optimistic outlook were critical in 2020. If you only dwelled on who you’ve lost, what you’ve lost, or the what-could-have-been’s, it would have taken its toll on your mental health. 2020 taught us to remain steadfast in hope in order to get through uncertainty, and we must do the same as we head into 2021. Take a moment to step back and notice your mindset over the past few months. How has it changed overall from March to December? If you’ve been feeling discouraged lately, look for opportunities to adjust your perspective. Do you tend to use words like “always” and “never”? If you’re stuck in “Things will never change” or “I always feel drained,” rephrase your language to reshape your mindset. Replace black and white thinking with language that allows for new possibilities. Move from an extreme of “Every day is always so tiring,” to “Things are sometimes unpleasant, but if I focus on moments where I am content, I might feel better.” Or, instead of reviewing all that 2020 has taken away from your life, think about what you’ve gained as a result. It’s possible you’ve experienced more gratitude, more family togetherness, more time for self care, more rest, more appreciation for the little things, more yummy home cooked meals, etc. Focusing on what you’ve gained will help foster a better mindset moving forward.  

As we approach 2021, it’s tempting to leave 2020 behind and forget about it. It was a challenging year for everyone. However, the valuable lessons learned will only shape us for the better. Rather than erasing it from our memories, let’s reflect on our 2020. What insight can we pull from the obstacles overcome and take into 2021? Make it a goal to find at least one lesson that you can carry into the year ahead.