2020 REFLECTIONS & 2021 ASPIRATIONS
2020 REFLECTIONS & 2021 ASPIRATIONS
2020 has been an "interesting" year to say the least. With the help of fellow participants, I was able to conduct a 2020 self-reflection and 2021 projection project. This project was created to share what people have learned (both positives and negatives) during 2020 and what people are looking forward to in 2021. I am utilizing this project as a way to connect and learn from each other during such an unconventional year, but also as a chance for self-reflection for 2021.
Below are the stories from people all over the world, with different backgrounds and beliefs, all sharing their high and low points of 2020, their aspirations for 2021, and useful advice they want to share with others.
Callahan
Age: 22
Location: Columbus, OH
What has been the hardest aspect of 2020?
The unknowns.
What has been the best aspect of 2020?
Self Growth.
What is something challenging you were able to overcome during 2020 and how were you able to move forward?
Election Drama.
Who or what do you want to take with you from 2020 into 2021? i.e. specific people, certain life lessons, etc.
Friends that have grown closer and perseverance.
If you could tell people one thing you've learned during 2020 that could be helpful to others, what would it be?
Calm down, it’ll be okay.
What are you looking forward to in 2021?
Starting a career.
Conor
Age: 22
Location: New York, NY
What has been the hardest aspect of 2020?
Moving back home for 5 months and trying to figure out my next steps after graduation.
What has been the best aspect of 2020?
Finding a love that is amazing and feels like I have found the other half of my soul.
What is something challenging you were able to overcome during 2020 and how were you able to move forward?
I was able to overcome some aspects of my anxiety with learning how it works in me and finding ways to control it.
Who or what do you want to take with you from 2020 into 2021? i.e. specific people, certain life lessons, etc.
I think the life lesson that I have learned from 2020 is letting things happen organically.
You can’t always plan your future and some amazing things come out into your life when you are not looking for them.
If you could tell people one thing you've learned during 2020 that could be helpful to others, what would it be?
Take time for your mental health and the care of your body. The mind and body are connected; meaning that they use each other to help create the being you are.
What are you looking forward to in 2021?
I’m looking forward to starting a life post academia and falling deeper in love with my partner.
Jordan
Age: 26
Location: Delaware, OH
What has been the hardest aspect of 2020?
Dealing with quarantine periods for sure! Also dealing with unknowns when it comes to political issues and stances on Covid. I learned that a couple people only are cool with you when your beliefs match theirs. But I also found out which individuals are still there for me even when we don’t see some things eye to eye.
What has been the best aspect of 2020?
2020 definitely revealed who was truly there for me! Also when dealing with all the unknowns of this year I was forced to put more trust in God, solidifying my faith.
What is something challenging you were able to overcome during 2020 and how were you able to move forward?
Severe postpartum depression! Following the birth of the twins in August of 2019 my hormones caused me to really struggle within myself. On top of that- I was a solo mom more than I wanted to be since Tyler works out of town often. There were days I didn’t know how I could possibly make it through another day by myself with 3 small kids relying solely on ME for their everyday needs. The first part of 2020 I feel I was in a dark place, then when the pandemic hit it got a little darker.
Thankfully we had my cousin Sammie and her newborn son living with us the first part of the year and I think that helped me because we were both going through the struggles of motherhood together and even though Tyler was out of town/state, I wasn’t alone. Not to mention had we not put a roof over Sammie’s head Lord knows where she and her son may have ended up.
I know I’m rambling but I think what I’m trying to get at is no matter how dark the beginning of the year was I knew I had my 3 young kids counting on me, and a cousin who also counted on me to help her navigate her newfound motherhood. I realized no matter what my messed up hormones wanted me to believe- I knew I had a purpose and a lot of people who I loved dearly needed me. I have a bomb ass support system too ♥️
Who or what do you want to take with you from 2020 into 2021? i.e. specific people, certain life lessons, etc.
Everything except for Covid 😂 how’s that I feel like everybody I have in my life right now is who I need. But I definitely want to take the realization that I always have had and always will have a purpose here. I’ve also learned that God is in control, when in doubt call your mom, and not to take the time I have to spend with my family for granted.
If you could tell people one thing you've learned during 2020 that could be helpful to others, what would it be?
I think 2020 was a year that we as a human race struggled together collectively. Whether your struggle was with your health, finances, faith, or something else MAKE SURE you remember who was there to support you through that struggle- because I assure you they were struggling themselves.
What are you looking forward to in 2021?
Making memories! With all the curveballs that this last year threw at us I’m not going to pretend like I know anything that 2021 has in store for me, but I’m making memories regardless 🤷🏻♀️
Joseph
Age: 20
Location: Columbus, OH
What has been the hardest aspect of 2020?
Constant Adjustments.
What has been the best aspect of 2020?
Throughout the pandemic, my family has remained in good health and I have been able to stay afloat. I couldn’t be more happy we have done so well through such tumultuous time.
What is something challenging you were able to overcome during 2020 and how were you able to move forward?
Becoming distant with a partner throughout the pandemic. It felt like with all the time together, we could not make the best of it. As time has went on, I realized that I have to look for my own confidence, peace, & strengths without reassurance from another person.
Who or what do you want to take with you from 2020 into 2021? i.e. specific people, certain life lessons, etc.
Peace of mind - learning to see the good always and find my own happiness without dependence.
If you could tell people one thing you've learned during 2020 that could be helpful to others, what would it be?
Breathe. Just breathe. Things are tough, we all get uneasy, anxiety is natural, not knowing the next step is a place of our lives that we will all have to experience at some point. Learning to take a few seconds, take a deep breath, and ground yourself to reality is essential to maintaining our mental health.
What are you looking forward to in 2021?
Vaccine distributions so we can move passed the pandemic and start living our natural lives again.
Katyarina
Age: 21
Location: Austin, TX / New York, NY
What has been the hardest aspect of 2020?
The very beginning of the pandemic, being in Italy and realizing the study abroad experience that I had left school to save up for the past year would be cut painfully short. In somewhat or a denial, a few of my friends and I ended up staying in Italy against the advice of the school and government to try and hold onto what we could of our experience. Facing the fact that the virus would soon be in the United States as well, we had to relinquish what we were holding onto and simply let go. Coming back home I was angry and confused, having lost my life’s savings and not knowing where things such as rent and tuition would come from, and losing a parent from my life all at once. Because it was still so new, the worst of it was yet to come. I quickly realized I was still so lucky to have my health, an amazing mother, and my dogs to keep me grounded during quarantine. Having the time to read for pleasure again, paint, bake, and learning to sew were luxuries afforded by time I had never before had, and the important lesson of gratitude for the small and simple things was taught to me.
What has been the best aspect of 2020?
The best part of 2020 for me was getting the opportunity to spend time with my family that I don’t think I would have ever gotten had it not been for the pandemic / quarantine. Before this year, I never expected to have the time to be home for such a long period of time again, and I feel very lucky to have had that.
What is something challenging you were able to overcome during 2020 and how were you able to move forward?
Having so much time alone for the first time in years gave me the chance to do a lot of much needed self reflection, and the ability to work on myself in ways I don’t think I would have had none of this happened. I found peace within myself and love for myself that I never thought I would achieve.
Who or what do you want to take with you from 2020 into 2021? i.e. specific people, certain life lessons, etc.
One of the biggest life lessons I’ve learned was to slow down and be more present. I’ve also learned a lot about the importance of gratitude; So many people around the world lost so much this year and were faced with unimaginable hardship, I felt very grateful to have what I do, especially the intangible: health, knowledge, friends, and family.
If you could tell people one thing you've learned during 2020 that could be helpful to others, what would it be?
The best things in life are the most simple. Keep those dear to you close and let them know you appreciate them.
What are you looking forward to in 2021?
New beginnings and more opportunities to learn from and grow as a person.
Marcie
Age: “not telling”
Location: Columbus, OH
What has been the hardest aspect of 2020?
The lack of human connection. I miss people and hugs.
What has been the best aspect of 2020?
Um. It’s been easier to keep up on laundry?
What is something challenging you were able to overcome during 2020 and how were you able to move forward?
The hardest thing I’ve had to get through this year is watching others lose their shit—one-by-one. You keep moving forward by always reminding yourself that all you can really do is be there (virtually) and listen.
Who or what do you want to take with you from 2020 into 2021? i.e. specific people, certain life lessons, etc.
I want to take with me the lesson that it’s ok to let go.
If you could tell people one thing you've learned during 2020 that could be helpful to others, what would it be?
Maybe what we know isn’t what should be....
What are you looking forward to in 2021?
A new normal.
Rylee
Age: 21
Location: Chicago, IL
What has been the hardest aspect of 2020?
The hardest aspect of 2020 has to be the fact that it's been nearly impossible to meet new friends and see new faces. I love meeting new people and you can't really make genuine connection with people online.
What has been the best aspect of 2020?
The best aspect of 2020 is all the free time I've had to look inward and start fixing some things about myself that I had been neglecting. Self reflection has become more of a habit and I'm thankful for that.
What is something challenging you were able to overcome during 2020 and how were you able to move forward?
My grandma passed away earlier in the year, right before the first wave of lockdowns, and that was definitely hard to deal with during the pandemic. Many people lost loved ones this year and accepting the death of someone you care deeply for can be a struggle for sure, but I found it best to stay inspired by the life they lived and let it guide me through my day to day.
Who or what do you want to take with you from 2020 into 2021? i.e. specific people, certain life lessons, etc.
2020, like many of us, made me wake the fuck up and realize how precious time is. Something I'll take with me is being thankful each day that I rise, because every second counts.
If you could tell people one thing you've learned during 2020 that could be helpful to others, what would it be?
When you're feeling down, go exercise!
What are you looking forward to in 2021?
Giving people hugs again...
Sofia
Age: 22
Location: The Woodlands, TX
What has been the hardest aspect of 2020?
Not being able to be with my loved ones (visiting extended family).
What has been the best aspect of 2020?
Self growth, lots of self reflection.
What is something challenging you were able to overcome during 2020 and how were you able to move forward?
I was able to overcome a lot of stress induced anxiety due to my very fast paced lifestyle through a lot of time spent by myself and in my home with my parents & my sister.
Who or what do you want to take with you from 2020 into 2021? i.e. specific people, certain life lessons, etc.
I will continue carrying over my family and best friends into 2021 and every year following. I’ll also carry into the new year what I learned about myself as far as being more loving towards myself, my body & my soul.
If you could tell people one thing you've learned during 2020 that could be helpful to others, what would it be?
I think we all need to really appreciate how we can connect with others and with ourselves more than ever.
What are you looking forward to in 2021?
Hope in our health system & our leaders. I hope we can all be more loving and empathetic towards others.
Su
Age: “I'm at where my age starts to depress me.”
Location: South Korea
What has been the hardest aspect of 2020?
Serving in army.
What has been the best aspect of 2020?
Finishing the army and learning new things. There are limited things we can do because of the virus. I'm trying to find what I can do now.
What is something challenging you were able to overcome during 2020 and how were you able to move forward?
Finishing the military service. I ignored the fact that it's difficult and I just moved forward whenever I felt like I couldn't do it anymore.
Who or what do you want to take with you from 2020 into 2021? i.e. specific people, certain life lessons, etc.
My healthy family from this year.
If you could tell people one thing you've learned during 2020 that could be helpful to others, what would it be?
Things don't always go as you planned. Prepare for the future but don't rely on your plans. Do things that you can at the moment. Even at the worst time there's stuff you can do.
What are you looking forward to in 2021?
Finishing up my school and find a way to live in the states legally.
As said before, 2020 has been an “interesting” year to say the least. After reading this article, I hope you are able to find some peace in knowing that everyone went through one hell of a year, but we were all able to overcome various life obstacles. Obstacles in mental health, life plans, the loss of a loved one, and many other hardships. I also hope after reading this, you are able to resonate with some of the words shared by these brave and wonderful people who participated in this project.
This New Year’s project was created to conduct a 2020 self-reflection and 2021 projection, but also as a way to connect and learn from each other during such an unconventional, almost isolated year. Take away the important aspects from these stories, life lessons, hardships, and aspirations into the new year and apply them as needed to your own life in 2021. A new year is a chance to start over, a chance to refresh one’s mind, and a chance to begin again. Here’s to making it through 2020 and to persuing our 2021 aspirations.
Wishing you all a safe and happy New Year!
xx,
Iz
