Lessons We’ve Learned and Positivity in 2020
December 9, 2020
2020 will be a year that goes down in the history books.
With the spread and impact of COVID-19, the election, and multiple activist movements circling the globe stemming from traumatic events, this year has been full of challenges and obstacles.
As this year comes to a close, it is important that we highlight some positivity and lessons that we have learned throughout 2020 because difficult times truly do provide some of the most influential lessons and gratitude.
“I realize that I live for so many things besides myself and this year helped me realign my life to my wants and needs from what others expect out of me, a UWF student said. “I am going into 2021 knowing that I am doing absolutely everything I want and need in order to fill my life the way I want!”
The pandemic taught us that we must always be ready for change because we never know what life could throw at us at any given moment.
“I learned to be more spontaneous and let go of my rigid way of planning things,” a student said.
Being in isolation for such a long period of time also brought out the importance of keeping a positive environment, mentally and physically, for our well-being.
“2020 gave me no patience for toxic people or environments and now my main concern is putting myself first,” a student said.
Mental health has also been recognized more heavily this year than it ever has, especially in work and education, and I believe this is going to have such an incredible impact on how businesses and schools operate in the future.
Teachers, students, bosses, and employees have all learned how much of an impact mental health can have on performance, motivation, and overall well-being.
2020 has highlighted the need for communication, socialization, and focusing on the important things in life.
“I got to visit home more than I ever have before! I had so much time to spend with family just being together,” a student said.
Movements and protests have also brought tens of thousands of people together to unite for human rights and we even got to see the first female elected as the Vice President of the United States.
Black creators and businesses have been thriving on social media, hustle culture is slowly being canceled, and we have been reminded of our ability to find happiness in the small things in life that we normally don’t have the time to see.
Many people are also now aware of the work that they can do remotely and are able to work at home permanently to stay at home with family and have more time to dedicate to passions and life outside of work.
This article is in no way attempting to bypass the losses and challenges that millions of people have endured this year, but rather move our attention to the lessons we have learned, challenges we have overcome, and the progress that our society is making.
Unfortunately, we cannot control COVID-19, whether or not our classes are in-person, or when life is going to revert back to normal.
However, we can choose to remain in control of our own lives and perception, and 2020 allowed us all to grow in ways that we may not have been able to without obstacles.
Below I have included a beautiful USA Today article that lists 100 positive things that have happened so far in 2020.
Some fun, positive moments include the bonding we all felt when we all watched Tiger King during its release on Netflix, the cast of Parks and Recreation reuniting to help families in need, and realizing just how important sports are to unify us all together.
While 2020 is often looked at as a year of chaos, remember that it is also the year of growth, progression, learning, and adapting.
“Courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with all its sorrows is good; that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond our understanding; and that there is always tomorrow.”
-Dorothy Thompson
