Have you improved to 2020 vision?

2020 has been a long year. I will never say that people getting sick is anything to find benefits in, but I do think this year has taught me some important things.

Value your family, whoever stuck close to you this year are your peeps. Cherish them and tell them. If someone wasn’t there you for you it is time to purge and be ok with the decision.

Online shopping is amazing but with cuts in jobs and salaries I have learned most of us live in excess and have more than we will ever need. If you had to leave your home tomorrow what would you take in an emergency? Get rid of stuff that has created chaos (yes it may include people)

Hanging simply with friends is more important than a Pinterest party. I am creative and I get all the great ideas out there. But is it really necessary to have a catalog home before having friends over or having a kids’ party? Our parents had parties in unfinished basements and those were some of the best memories. Quit waiting to make it all perfect. Your good friends don’t care if your home is perfect. If they do, see above about purging.

Be healthy, but have dessert. How many of us don’t get our picture taken because we want to lose 20 lbs or have our hair done. During covid my roots were showing and I needed my eyebrows waxed. Guess what? The friends that stuck around didn’t think twice about my looks. I cherish my friends I have had forever and don’t think about it if they are 20 lbs up or down or don’t have makeup on. I will compliment you when I notice your successes but think you’re beautiful no matter the point in life. We have all been there. Life isn’t meant to be perfect.

Stop judging with an all or nothing mentality. All groups aren’t defined by the behavior of a few. I don’t get political normally but this year has been a notorious blame game. If one person’s actions make you blame the masses you need to rethink your own thought process. Go out in your community and do better. Get to know your neighbors and change your own actions to create change. No one is doing better by bitching about everyone else. Volunteer, start a positive organization or have a hobby to ask others to join. Nothing will get better by pointing out what everyone else is doing wrong. Start with your own household.

Love your family with the same commitment you give your job. Jobs will disappear in a heartbeat. We all have bills to pay but at the end of the day companies can come and go. Family should be a constant. (Family can be friends)

Dare to do something different. Call a friend and go try a new project. Ask someone out. Go out dancing with your better half. Take lessons. Maybe it will be uncomfortable but change is and being stagnant the alternative.

Get outside and be in nature. Take a hike, sit quietly and observe. Most of us say we don’t have the time or it is unnecessary but I assure you the peace it brings you will make you more productive. Nature is a great artistic canvas that most of us walk by daily and take for granted.

Turn off social media every once in a while. Value what is in front of you. Many of us keep up with people and stars more than our own. Face to face conversations should always be more valued. If the internet went down tomorrow, who is at your dinner table?

Travel is great but live your home life with the same zest you go on a vacation. Most of us drag home but are kinder to strangers on trips. Implement the fun in everyday life.

Take time for coffee or drinks with friends weekly. I know none of us have the time. But 30 minutes can make a difference in the long run and brighten your spirit.

Be adaptable. Get different skillsets and be open to do something on a whim. Most of us felt we would have a paycheck every Friday. If you didn’t, what kind of other job could you do? No one is indispensable.

Don’t believe everything you read. So many of us were home for months. Base your opinions are real life experiences. Read selectively and know your sources. Just because it is on the internet doesn’t mean it happened the way it is represented. Editing of video and photos, taking conversations out of context is a powerful weapon.

Slow down life’s pace. Most of us only feel successful if we are checking off to do lists and being busy all day. What are you truly busy doing? Success can come in the form of a day with friends or a good book and a cup of tea. Quit feeling guilty about how success is defined.

Alright my soapbox is away for the day.

Anyone else have a great insight they gained this year?