Lessons Learned from a Year Gone Wrong

Well, we made it. 2020 is starting to become a speck in the rearview mirror. Are you as happy about it as I am? I mean, yeah, we still have a pandemic on our hands but at least now we have an administration that is taking it seriously and to me, that feels like a step in the right direction.

It’s going to be a long time before we can make light of the last four years or even 2020 for that matter. But, (and stay with me on this), I think we learned a lot. What we do with what we learned is another can of worms all on its own but, there are some key takeaways from 2020 that I believe we are better for having learned.

Your Personal Bubble Matters

For all of the bitching and moaning I saw online about not being able to go out and hang with friends, hit up the clubs, concerts, or bars, there was a much larger number of people who seemed to get it, and carefully picked who they let into their bubble. A few close friends and some family (not all of the family obviously, we all know that ONE PERSON who wants to break all of the social distancing rules), and we’ve remembered how to connect and make time with one another count. It’s just a shame it took a pandemic to make these kinds of connections happen. Quality is always better than quantity.

Working From Home is F*king Amazing

It’s about time the rest of the world caught on to what freelancers, entrepreneurs, and independent contractors already know, and that’s you can do your job just as well from your kitchen table as you can your office. (Probably better, amIright?)

From all of us in the telecommute, home office space to the rest of the 9-5 cubicle world; Welcome to the dark side, please help yourself to some cookies. For all of you still stuck in companies who don’t understand the savings involved (or the ability to be twice as productive) by working from home, please accept our deepest condolences. Your fruit baskets are in the mail.

None of Us Really Wants to be a Teacher

Finally, the world (okay, probably just the USA), understands how underappreciated teachers are. It’s not for the faint of heart and not everyone is cut out for it but thanks to COVID, we all got a taste of a teacher’s life, but let me be clear; it was a sorted view. We weren’t trying to wrangle 22 young people at a time; we were only trying to wrangle our own heathens AND work from home. If you don’t send your kids’ teachers a very handsome end of the year gift, you deserve any insanity and grey hair your children impart upon you this summer.

Racism is Out; Unity is In

I cannot stress this enough; nothing gets accomplished through hate. The more we hate, the more divided we become. I know I come from a place of privilege. I grew up with racists in my life and for the longest time, I allowed myself to believe that truth because I didn’t know any better.

We know better. This is the 21st-freaking-century and the past has already shown us racism and bigotry are wrong. Let’s get our collective shit together and do the work to create a more inclusive future for everyone.

I remember how excited and hopeful we were for 2020, full of vim and vigor. We had our sights set high, the number alone, TWENTY-TWENTY, made us shiver with anticipation (Presidental election anyone?), but were we naive? I don’t think so. I think we did what we do at the start of any new year; we hoped for better and set goals.

But 2020 stole a lot from us too; celebrations, family milestones, reunions, and yes, it gave us far more loss and grief than any of us should have to face in a lifetime, let alone ONE YEAR. I believe the best way we can avoid a repeat of last year is to move forward with the lessons we’ve learned and DO BETTER.

So here’s to 2021, a chance to do more and do better, and above all else, let no one and nothing take hope from you.