As 2019 was readying itself to make its exit, I had my fingers crossed as I made a silent resolution that 2020 would be a turning point in my life.
The new year did not start on the note I hoped it would, but I told myself I have 11 more months to get it right. Then the Pandemic happened. March 2020 will be remembered as a month that put a giant full stop on the world.
We were all locked in. Housework had me exhausted, despondency had drained my spirits and with it the hope that I would use this year to do what I had hoped to.
I was enjoying my pity party for 1 till I asked myself what if this Pandemic got worse? What if I never survived it? Did I want to live, for however long I had, with a bunch of regrets choking me? Then I made a Tarot Prediction, at which my conscience asked me how long was I willing to wait for the right time. A renewed determination to fulfil my resolution, no matter what, formed within.
When you are homebound, are not allowed to have any physical contact with the world outside, what is the best thing to do? Reacquaint yourself with you. Befriend yourself. That is what I did. Looking within I decided that constructive criticism towards self would be the only way to rebuild a new me. This empowering thought set me down a new path. I was forced to confront my drawbacks and also to appreciate the qualities I took for granted.
The most important lessons learnt in 2020 became my personal benchmarks too;
Keep your Immunity up!
There is physical immunity that will fight the virus, and then there is mental immunity. I stopped second-guessing myself and worked on upgrading my confidence, self-belief, polishing my values and convictions to a shine, thus keeping up my mental immunity.
Mask Up!
Wearing a mask has been a lesson 2020 taught me, in more ways than one. For someone who has always been transparent about her thoughts, feelings, actions and about taking a stand, I released that this habit is working against me. Ever since I started wearing a mask, by keeping my real feelings and thoughts to myself, life has taken a beautiful turn. I get a kick on how my Monalisa face keeps people guessing.
Sanitise!
Sanitising surfaces touched by others eliminate germs. This led me to think of why don’t I sanitize my thoughts too. We talk to so many people, there are so many views and opinions exchanged. Why should we not wipe clean the germs of perspectives and judgements so that no infection of doubt sets in?
Wash your hands!
Wash your hands off all the problems that have no solutions. Wash your hands off all the people who aren’t serving any purpose in your life. Wash off the smudges of memories clinging to the crevices you did not notice or realise.
Maintain Social Distance!
I am more mindful of how much of myself, my time, energy, knowledge and effort I give to others. While I always strive to help as many people as I can, I have learnt when to stop, withdraw and say no.
What happens when your vision has been clouded by a film of assumptions and perceptions? You right your sight by wearing spectacles of faith. 2020 has been my best year so far. I say Adieu 2020 with a grateful heart, even as I see the world, and myself, with new eyes.
I wish you a wonderful 2021 and hope it brings you all good things.
This Blogpost is part of the SpeakEasy Blogging Challenge by Dipika and Ruchi
Very well written and given such a deepened insight to every meaning of everything that we are doing in this year ,hopefully we all stick to the lessons resent in this year
Thank you so much, Dr Preeti. Glad the post resonated with you.
Wow! Beautiful take on the promt, Mayuri! Loved how you used the concepts of staying safe during this pandemic and explained them as staying safe in life.
Thanks so much,Nitisha.
Wow,Mayuri. Every time I read your posts I learn something about way of living life and also about writing.
That’s a huge compliment,Aesha. One I will always cherish. Thank you.
Amazing! Novel way to look at things
Thank you for reading.
2020 has definitely changed our lives in many ways and the way you have converted it by bringing in the changes pshychologically is definitely going to help many in the new year as well.
Thank you,Dimple ❤️
This is such a great way to consider what good can you do to society by staying at home. I liked the resemblance to washing hands as we wash away toxic people from life.
Thank you for reading, Geethica.
Wow loved the way you had interpret the covid-19 norms to with a different angle. I really like all the ideas specially the wash off your hands with the people who don’t have any purpose in our life. Indeed a best piece of advice you had shared in this post.
Thanks so much, Surbhi.
I feel 2020 is a much needed lesson and we learned a great deal from it. Glad that you shared the positive side of this whole lockdown. Thank you for participating in SpeakEasy challenge.
Thank you for reading, Dipika. I love the topics of the Speakeasy Challenge.
Well written.And I absolutely agree with all point.
Thank you.
2020 has been a roller coaster ride. Lots of ups and downs. Good to know how you remained positive and safe.
Thank you, Deepa.
Yes 2020 has taught all of us a lot. I mean patience and perception has changed for the better. It’s good that all of us are becoming better individuals.
I am not sure all haveThanks for reading, Cindy .
Wow ! What a thoughtful reciprocation of the terms we are used to. Totally agree with you that its time to say good ye to the pandemic keeping the learnings deep rooted.
Thank you, Meenal.
That were some amazing learning that turned out to be common in our lives too.
Thank you, Rahat.
You are a great story teller Mayuri..I have enjoyed reading all your stories written for my friend Alexa and in this post I just loved the way you interpreted all the norms with completely different perspective.
Thank you so much for this compliment, Swati.
I agree with you Mayuri as much as this year was full of pain it indeed had its own lessons to leave by. The most important thing I learned this year was the fact that health is of utmost important and u shud never take health lightly
So true, Rakhi. Thanks for reading.
A great way to relate the message of 2020 with real life lessons. Keep distance from toxic people is the best learning.
Thank you for reading,Disha.
You’ve given such a positive twist to all the norms that we follow in the new normal. Nice blog!
Thank you, Seema.
We have started leaving our lives with new normal wherein mask and sanitizers are necessities.
Yes
We have learnt to adjust with the new normal, whether this remains or not, I hope we continue to take care of ourselves and lead a positive and healthy lifestyle.
True that,Manisha.
Amazing how the precautions we take to keep away the virus can work perfectly well in cleansing our lives too. Sanitising our thoughts and masking up our real feelings from irrelevant people are two things that can lead to eternal bliss!
Thank you for reading,Varsha.
I love your perspective! You have me thinking to follow these ‘good habits’ this year and create a better space.