Inside: I’m sure you’ve heard “What a year!” or something similar in 2020. Was 2020 your worst year or best year? How did your mindset impact your year?
I just celebrated my birthday yesterday, and with celebration comes reflection. My year in review reflection made me think of a month-by-month recap. It’s always interesting to notice trends, revisit past events, and see how one develops, changes, and perseveres throughout the year.
I’m not here to list every life-changing event that happened or tell you how to feel or think. I want you to know that you can do hard things. Yes, you!
There is so much to be appreciative of if you know how to look. Have you ever noticed a sunrise or sunset when you’re busy running around from place to place? What about birds chirping outside your window, every day consistently? How about a woodpecker that’s made their home outside your home office window? Do you feel the breeze on your face or coming through an open window? What about the joy of putting on new sheets or washing your hair? When was the last time you sat down and had a meal with your family or significant other? How about new memories or traditions?
If we know where and how to look, we can see life for what it is…precious.
A year in review can show the beauty of change.
I juggled a lot in 2020. From starting my second Master’s degree to navigating through teaching during the initial Covid unknowns. Plus, I endured two big family “life events” along with having surgery. It was a lot, but it never felt like a lot. I didn’t have the heaviness, the stress, the want-to-rip-my-hair-out feeling. Why?
Perspective.
My friends would check on me and see how I was doing. At times, I felt guilty for saying that I was doing great. Society has made it seem like going through those life events would make someone crumble or that we have to feel a certain way. But I was doing great. I am doing great!
Positivity is such a powerful thing! Your mind is such a powerful tool!
When I was faced with another hard life decision in the fall, I listened. I listened to my inner voice and what my body said to do. I tuned out the traditional “Here’s what you’re supposed to do” mindset. In fact, I let myself accept my decision without guilt, pressure, or outside influences.
I decided to let my body heal properly from surgery. I decided to take the year off work.
My husband fully supported this decision and reassured me that we could make it work on his income. If you know me, you know I’m a perfectionist, a rule follower, and I love being counted on by my peers. I always give my best, pushing myself past goals and making new ones. This was totally out of the ordinary.
It was totally out of my comfort zone!
I continued with my grad classes and started to listen to my inner voice again.
This time, it was saying, “Go for it, what do you have to lose?”
My year in review reflection was working. Without knowing one thing about creating a TPT store, I did it!
I jumped in head first! The right people found their way into my life at the perfect time. I took a course on blogging, website design, and how to run a teacher business.
To say my days were “easier” than my teaching days would be an understatement. My husband would see me working for 10-12 hour days. Learning. Working. Creating. Googling. Reading. Studying. He finally told me that I needed to take a day off in December. So I listened. I took December 22nd off. It felt weird. I love working and learning. More reflection happened.
I started to research being self-employed…you know all the boring business stuff.
Well, it paid off! I got my LLC in January, and my website went live on February 1st. To celebrate my accomplishments and my birthday, I gifted myself a business logo sign. I had made it to where my vision said I would. I listened.
As I continue to cross off goals and make new ones, I remember the power of perspective. I could’ve walked around all “Woe is me” and moped my way through the year. But as you know, as I know, that’s not me!
Hardships are only hard if you let them be. I chose to chase dreams in 2020 because I listened.
I saw a quote one day while scrolling through Instagram:
“When a cardinal appears an angel is near.”
My eyes were open to notice cardinals when they appeared in my backyard. Sometimes one or two a day. Other times on a neighborhood walk. But I noticed. I think I was supposed to notice!
Don’t be too busy to not notice. Try a year in review reflection or set monthly goals.
I’ll leave you with these very wise words from an incredible person that I wish was still here with me.
I’m so proud of you, so proud of all you have done, are doing, and will be doing.”
She knew. She listened and noticed. An angel is near!
Wishing you much love and positivity in 2021!
Explore. Travel. Read. Repeat.
