2020: Year in Review
2020, man. It was a rough one.
On a macro level, it felt nearly impossible and entirely unbelievable that what was happening was actually reality.
On a personal level, while dealing with the intense mental load of 2020 - pandemic, crisis schooling, civil unrest, natural disasters, democracy holding on by a thread, insane news cycle, lunatic in the White House - I still managed to pull off one of my most personally successful years yet. Which sounds absolutely nuts when looking back on the dumpster fire that was 2020.
That’s not to say that my personal life was all sunshine and happiness. It wasn’t (see: crisis schooling a kindergartner). In addition to all things pandemic related, I book-ended this year with some not so fun experiences. I lost my precious Willow Rose the first week of March, which was the week before things went completely haywire with COVID here. And I feel like I got so caught up in COVID stress that I didn’t have time to properly grieve this girl. But I miss her every day, every minute. She was a special one.
Then I wrapped up my year with a completely ridiculous (but totally on-brand for 2020) injury: I gave myself a moderate to severe quad contusion by running into a furniture corner in my house with impressive but inexplicable force. I couldn’t walk or stand for two days, and three weeks later, I’m finally regaining range of motion and can do yoga, barre, and ride bike, but still can’t run.
At beginning of 2020, before I knew what an absolute train wreck the year would be, I created a vision board. My theme for 2020 was Radiate, which means to “emit rays from a central point,” and my ways of being/words for the year were very much related to digging in and focusing on specific goals without distraction - ignited, rooted, steadfast, spirited, connected.
My 2020 vision board
Little did I know, just how “radiate” would manifest itself this year in a very literal sense. Being home nearly 24/7 while a pandemic raged (and continues to rage) outside definitely took my theme and ways of being to the next level.
Despite some definite low points (see earlier in this post) and definite downers, like no travel, I feel good about the things I accomplished in 2020. While I ended up pivoting on some of my goals, partly because of the pandemic and partly for other career or personal reasons, I made progress on others.
My Top Nine Instagram posts from 2020
My Instagram top nine posts of 2020 captured my year well - lots of art, my sweet beagle Willow, our new house, and beach life. With the exception of losing Willow, these were the good things that happened in 2020 and largely in line with the goals I set out for myself at the start of the year.
A few highlights from 2020 and things that got me through it without totally losing my mind:
We moved into our new house and started making it feel like home.
I reconnected with art and learned some new techniques and mediums (to be continued in 2021). I filled more sketchbooks and made more messes this year than I have in the past 5 years combined.
I love my job! As busy and crazy as it was, my first year at this job was a smashing success, and I’m lucky to work for a company and in an industry that still thrived despite the world around it.
My son found his inner artist (and he’s quite talented, so I’ve been trying to help him learn).
We fostered several dogs who have gone on to find forever homes, including one who found his home with us - Ziggy!
My Mirror. Aside from the Let’s Make Art subscription box and the various classes and workshops I purchased this year, the Mirror was hands-down the best purchase of 2020. I still don’t feel comfortable going to the yoga studio and as much as I miss it, the Mirror has been awesome. I can tailor the workout to me and how I feel that day based on length and difficulty, pick from all kinds of workouts from yoga to dance to weights to bootcamp and everything in between. Plus I’m not tied to a set schedule, which is key for my crazy days.
While I have a small amount of hope for 2021, I also know all the craziness going on doesn’t respect our constructs of calendars, so I’m bracing myself to ride some waves in 2021 and I’m building on my accomplishments from 2020.