If you are like anyone in 2020, you've definitely had it rough.

2020 has not been the kindest year. I've written about anxiety that I haven't experienced before, as well as new fears as a college student.

It's been hard. I'm not going to sugarcoat it.

There have been so many things that consume us. Although so many things are uncertain, I'll choose to count my blessings.

1. All of my family are safe and healthy.

I am so blessed to be able to write this. I know that there are so many more people who aren't able to write this and are having to figure out how to celebrate amidst loss. I am so thankful that my loved ones are still here with me. Throughout the pandemic, I've learned more than ever that it is prudent to not take my loved ones for granted and to savor any time that I am able to spend with them.

2. I have friends and a community of people who care about me.

If you've seen some of my previous articles, you'll know that isolation has been extremely hard for me this year. It's been hard for me to find my community of people I can love. Yet, even within all of the craziness, I found them. I have wonderful people I can call on a moments notice if I need to vent or cry, or even if I need to talk them a new mom joke I made up for a sympathy laugh. I'm so thankful for each and every one of them.

3. I passed my first semester of college (during a worldwide pandemic, might I add) and now I get a long, much needed break with my family.

This one doesn't need much explaining.

4. I'm still making memories.

If you're not the type of person to think of way-in-the-future type of thoughts, then you might relate to this. I am making memories! I think about this all of the time. I am going to be able to tell my kids stories of the 2020 pandemic and help them appreciate (hopefully) everything that they have. I'll help them see the beauty in the struggle. They'll listen to my stories (and trust me, I have a lot of them) and see how a terrible time for us became a wonderful blessing of life and love.

I want all of you to think about things to be grateful for today.

In the midst of all of the stress, confusion, and pain, I know it's easy to focus on the negative. I can guarantee that if we shift our focus from the negative to things we can be grateful for, our quality of life will be so much better.