Another year has come and gone, and as always we may find ourselves wondering where the time has gone, what even happened, and ready to embrace what is to come. 2020 has no doubt been a crazy and unexpected year not only personally but for the world at large.
As I have been faced with the end of this year, I was intrigued and inspired by James Clear, the author of “Atomic Habits”, and how doing something as simple as looking back can better prepare and arm us for what’s to come.
Here is a quick recap of 2020 where I will be answering these three questions:
1. What went well this year?
2. What didn’t go so well this year?
3. What did I learn?
This annual review is a general format inspired by the one James Clear creates every year on his website of his wins, challenges, and lessons learned in the year past. I encourage you to take the time to do the same to notice your progression and how you can continue to move forward well in the year to come.
1. What went well this year?
Strengthened relationships
Although this year has made it more difficult for us to be together physically, it has become that much more important for us to put in the effort to stay connected. My familial relationships and friendships mean a great deal to me so staying in contact with dear loved ones was a main priority that I took great pride and joy in. I even had the amazing opportunity to reconnect with family and friends.
All of these incredible connections strengthened and gained this year have been an absolute blessing in seeing me through these uncertain times and have helped in buoying one another up in the hopes for good times and good things still to come.
Growth of my business and blog
My freelance writing business and blog have been absolute labors of love and consistency that I have taken great pride in seeing grow, even if that growth wasn’t immediate at times, I knew that what I had to offer could and would benefit my clients, audience, and my family in the long run.
Working on your own takes a great amount of discipline, preparation, being teachable, having drive, being willing to try, try again, and keep your focus.
Connecting with my audience has also been such a humbling and gratifying experience hearing how my content has been of value to them in countless ways. And to think we’re just getting started.
I so look forward to the continual growth of my business and blog giving aid to my audience, creating valuable content for my clients, and providing for my family.
Enhanced writing skills and opportunities
Between work projects, blog posts, and personal creative projects, I have had countless opportunities to enhance and strengthen my writing skills. Plus in regards to my work and creative projects, it has been incredible to see them unfold and progress into something marvelous that I can take pride in.
It’s been incredible to learn, hone in skills, and to collaborate with other like-minded individuals in the wonderful world of writing.
Writing is truly an art form that has such power to inform, inspire, and open our minds to a higher, better way of thinking and being if we allow it, and I’m so glad to take part in it for the well-being of others and in expressing myself in a helpful, positive manner.
The safety, health, and well-being of my sweet, little family
Amidst the struggles and heartache brought on by this year, I could not deny the wonderful blessing of my family’s safety, good health, and overall well-being.
Our bodies aren’t perfect but they have served us well in keeping us healthy, strong, and able to face the day to day demands of life as well as to celebrate life’s joys.
We have found safety and security in our homes which is a huge blessing in and of itself that we have strived to be more mindful of and not take for granted.
We have found ourselves having moments of intentional peace and love abounding. What more could one ask for?
More time in nature
Although we couldn’t travel to faraway places or go to fun events as we usually would, it was such a joy for the soul to find ourselves in nature often.
Whether for family walks, playing in parks, or going for hikes, we did everything we could to be out and about, allowing not only our physical but mental health to delight in the endless benefits of being outdoors. There is nothing quite like the fresh smells, calm, and peace of mind that washes over you like being out in nature.
Our goal as a family in the new year is to keep this up by continuing to go on daily walks, go camping, and increase our hiking ventures during the spring and summer.
2. What didn’t go so well this year?
Comparison monster
Far too often this year, I found myself beating myself down for not being where I wanted to be, not allowing myself more joy in my successes, and feeling guilty when I needed extra rest for my physical and mental health.
I would compare what I could or should be doing with my past self before becoming a mother and beating myself up by keeping my past standards high, leaving me mentally shot, physically lacking, and wondering why I couldn’t measure up.
Not setting new, attainable personal standards to meet and allowing myself grace, in turn, affected my mental health in a negative manner.
Battling with daunting, harsh mental health
From not feeling like I was measuring up in my business, as a mother, and where I wanted to be in my life made my mental health spiral into a harsh, dark abyss.
My anxiety spiked and my depression left me feeling like I was drowning with no hope of getting my head above water.
Along with battling my negative mental health, it was a continuous ripple effect, leaving me unmotivated and unable to complete personal creative projects and in turn, with being unable to travel home, my longing for my family and friends back in Canada only made my heartache and struggles worsen.
Not completing writing projects
I had set goals for myself to complete personal creative projects to send to writing competitions and to work towards publishing, but between my negative mental state, the demands of parenting, and the growth of my business I was unable to put in the needed time and effort to complete them in time.
Travel plans canceled
With the travel restrictions of COVID-19, all of us in some way had to make sacrifices in our traveling, planned events, and vacations. I myself had to cancel a cousin’s weekend, birthday trip, and regular yearly trip all to Canada, my home country.
Being away from and unable to return home for a year has been extremely difficult on my mental health, which has only made my gratitude towards modern technology deepen. Although with that being said, there is nothing like physically being with those you love and in the place you call home. To say I greatly look forward to going back with much anticipation is an understatement.
3. What did I learn?
I heard a quote about a week ago that I found so profound in regards to this past year. That 2020 wasn’t the year we expected, but maybe it was the year we needed.
Nothing has gone as planned, nothing has been as it was before, but maybe in the midst of the cancellations, the hardships, and even in the loneliness we have still gained in reflection, growth, connection, the need to pause, and in the end have gained much needed quiet, fruitful simplicity to make our lives more full and to be made more aware.
Some of my major lessons learned from this year included:
Slowing down and being still
As I mentioned earlier, my mental health took a great toll this year, as I know many others have as well.
Thankfully I very quickly realized that the only way to help myself was to slow down, breathe, and be still, even if my list of to-dos was out of control.
With feeling like the world was in uncontrollable, unknown chaos, I had to focus on what was in my control, whether it was my reactions, what I chose to do with the time given to me, recognizing my blessings, accepting my personal griefs and battles and being kind to myself through the process of healing, and being able to clear my mind to the possibilities before me in my parenting journey, my marriage, my relationships, my business, and creative ventures.
Letting go of bitterness and striving to better embrace forgiveness & kindness
I unfortunately in the last few years have allowed bitterness in small degrees to take root inside of me. Letting it fester to the point that I far too often justify these unhealthy feelings.
Taking the time to slow down and be still, gave me the opportunity to face those feelings head-on and to start to make the necessary changes to truly forgive myself and others, and in turn show myself and those around me a greater amount of needed kindness.
Forgiveness is a wound that can only be healed through choosing to be kind, allowing us to learn and progress. It is a constant learning curve, but one I’m more apt to mindfully take part in.
Quality time over just quantity time with my sweet, little family
We may have had more time together with those in our home or close circle of influence, but that doesn’t always mean that that time has been enjoyed or used to its fullest.
Many times at the beginning of the pandemic, my husband would comment on how bored he was and at times we felt like we were going stir-crazy with being home all the time. After a while, we noticed that if we didn’t change our attitudes and make the most of this added time together, we would end up being more miserable and regretting what could have been later on.
By spending time outdoors, being more present with our toddler when we played with him, being more creative and mindful of our time as a family or as a couple strengthened our bonds with each other, made us more aware of and appreciative of each other, and made our home more peaceful, inviting, and full of joy.
Hard, important conversations
Between life changes, the presidential election, and civil unrest, 2020 offered no shortage of opportunities for us to take part in some difficult, but important conversations with one another. These conversations, no matter how hard, are essential in the growth, strengthening, and added trust in any relationship, including with ourselves.
I had many such conversations and found that how we enter into such conversations, being willing to listen to understand, striving to discuss not debate or fight, and to come away with respect and added love for each other, no matter our differences is an important focus for all to have.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case or the outcome, but if it is what all who are involved are focused upon, it makes the chances of the end result to be much sweeter and peace-abiding. Sometimes we need to also know when to stand our ground or walk away and try again when the time to discuss is more favorable and not hostile.
Decluttering and creating a better home & headspace
With being home more, it opened my eyes to what I did and did not want to enter in and take place in my home and headspace. I took the time throughout the year to actively create a home and headspace that my family and I could truly live and breathe in.
Decluttering our home, being grateful for what we had, and taking an active role as a homemaker brought me added joy, peace, and even increased my creative mindset towards my business and blog. It also added a more uplifting environment for our family to find greater safety and love in, no matter what was happening in the world outside of our four walls.
Letting go of items, digital clutter, old habits, and negative mindsets I noticed made a huge difference in our health, relationships, and quality of life for the better.
Here’s to 2021
Throughout the year but especially as 2020 is coming to a close, I have heard comments about how everyone can’t wait for this year to be over, as if the moment we do the countdown to 2021, we’ll open our eyes to the pandemic being over and everything will be good again.
Not to burst anyone’s bubble, but this isn’t going to go away or get better on its own. We as human beings have the choice on what we make of our lives and how it affects those around us, and such changes take time.
We have the choice to allow our lives to make us bitter or better. We have the choice to heal or allow old wounds to fester. We have the choice to change or sit in our old ways that haven’t served us. We have the power to choose. It is up to us to see what is in our control.
I invite you to take the time to ponder on and create your own 2020 review to remember what went well, what didn’t, and what you have learned. Allow this knowledge and awareness to be the stepping stones towards an effective, positive year ahead that’ll serve you well and that you can find prosperity and joy in. Happy New Year friends!
Now I’d love to hear from you, what was one of your wins from 2020 that you’re proud of yourself for? Please comment below and share this post if it has been of value to you or could be to someone else.
**If you enjoyed this article, feel free to check out these other great & insightful posts:
🎉https://stephanietracywrites.com/my-2021-annual-review-james-clear-style/
🎉https://stephanietracywrites.com/28-life-lessons-ive-learned-in-28-years/
🎉https://stephanietracywrites.com/5-books-i-read-this-past-year-that-gave-me-drive-success-peace/
🎉https://stephanietracywrites.com/10-books-i-read-in-2021/
About the Author
Hi there! I’m Stephanie Tracy, a freelance writer, and blogger for hire. I specialize in physical and mental health, parenting, and self-development. I create engaging, inspiring and useful content to help businesses progress in making their viewers into customers. When I’m not writing, you can find me happily playing with my toddler, walking in the park with my family, or indulging in a movie marathon with my husband.