The recurring statement I hear about 2020 is how bad it is. I mean, I can not really argue with that statement because of all the terrible news that I have heard throughout the five months. With all that being said, this year has been a very eye-opening year and one that makes you think; "why is this happening?" Over the course of the last few weeks, I have been trying to find different things that this year has taught me. Basically, I have been asking myself "how can I take all these negatives and look at them with a different view?" So, I am going to share with you a few different things I am trying to take away from the five frightful months.
Live your life to the fullest
I think that is a pretty cliche saying, but it is something that I have adapted. I typically do not like doing things I am uncomfortable with. I like to stay with my group of friends, do the same things we always do, eat the same food I always eat and just do whatever I have become used to. This year has been full of devastating losses. I am a huge basketball fan, so when the news of Kobe Bryant hit me I was very upset and mournful. I was not his biggest fan, but I respected his game and loved who he was as a person outside of basketball. So seeing him gone too soon messed with me. I have always heard of people passing away too soon, but have never really been impacted as much as I was when Kobe passed away. On Mother's Day, a social media influencer named Corey La Barrie passed away in a drunk driving incident. He is another man who I sort of followed and was taken too soon. While looking over both of the lives these two amazing people left, I have come to realize how special life really is. It is important to live with as you want and with no regrets. When you look back on your life, are you happy with the choices you made? Are there things you wish you could have done differently? Do you wish you could have gone through with something, instead of backing out on it? I keep these different things in mind almost every day. Living your life to the fullest is something I live by because you never know when it could all be taken away. So go after your crush, apply for jobs, meet new people, try new things. Find something that encourages you and go try new things.
Hug your family (when social-distancing ends of course)
Social distancing and quarantine have led to me not being able to see my friends or extended family. Which is a weird thing for me, because I was living in an apartment with my friends, and would see my grandparents almost every weekend. So, not being able to see the people I am used to seeing every day is a weird feeling for me. My grandparents are the people I think I miss the most. They come to almost every event I have and support me with everything I do. Quarantine has been hard for both sides because my grandparents are social butterflies and love being able to go out and see people. My family and I have gone to see them a couple times (staying six feet away of course) and every time I see them, they remind me how proud they are of me. Oh how I wish I could hug them and I cannot wait till I can. So if you have a chance, go hug your family, remind them that you love them and how much they mean to you. Trust me, it will brighten their day.
Stay Healthy
Now, by this, I do not mean just with COVID-19, cause that is the obvious answer to staying healthy. I mean every other way, physically, mentally, and whatever else may come to mind. During the first week of quarantine, I found myself sitting around doing nothing. I kept telling myself that since I was not walking to classes and the gym was closed, I needed to find something to do so I would not be out of shape. But, I had no motivation to do anything except for my homework and watch Netflix. It kept me busy, but I was not happy with it. About a week later, my step-mom said she was going to start a workout video and asked if I was interested. I found that as my way to stay busy and in shape. Once I started doing that, I started getting happier with everything else. Mental health is a big thing and some people tend to not realize how important it is to take care of yourself. When I was on campus and running between classes and work, I forgot to take care of myself and make sure I was happy with things. Now in quarantine, it has given me a chance to work on my mental health and be happier with myself and my choices.
With all of that being said, the way that I have worked to stay healthy does not have to be the way you do it! Everyone finds comfort in different things and feels confident in different ways. You need to find those different things that make you happy and confident. Explore different options and find somethings that make you happy. Then build off of those things and stay healthy (also try and avoid COVID-19! Stay safe and healthy!)
Final Thoughts
As I stated early, 2020 has not been a very kind year. But, it is one for learning. Look into those different things that make you despise 2020. Find ways that they have changed you and ways that you can grow from them. Find ways that can make 2020 a better year. We still have seven months left, so find ways to make those seven months the best ones yet.
