My 2020 Top Nine
It’s that time of year – the end of year reflections, the obligatory end of year post, and the annual Top Nine. If you have an Instagram, then you’re likely familiar with the end of year Top Nine. It’s a trend that’s grown in popularity over the past few years where users (or a 3rd party app) compile the 9 photos that received the most likes over the past year.
It’s something I normally look forward to participating in myself, but this year was such an odd year that I don’t feel like my top 9 most liked photos really capture the moments that were most meaningful and defining for me. So, instead of doing the usual Top 9 most liked images and allowing my social media likes determine the value of my year, I’m compiling a list of my Top 9 most significant moments, themes, highlights (and low-lights) for 2020 because they hold value to me.
So here it goes…
1. My 31st Birthday – My 31st birthday wasn’t just any old birthday celebration; it was my Golden Birthday. As a January baby, I often see the calendar year and my yearly trips around the sun as synonymous. This year, I turned 31 on January 31st – something I’ve been looking forward to. For me, my Golden Birthday held more significance than turning 30. My Golden Age. And, having it happen during 2020, I celebrated with a Roaring 20’s party – complete with prohibition style cocktails, champagne, Charlie Chaplin films, flapper dresses and some of my closest friends. What a way to kick off a new year.
2. Going to Therapy – I ended 2019 and began 2020 going to therapy. I had a tough start to the year and little did I know at the time it was only going to get tougher. Deciding to go back to therapy was monumental for me as I hadn’t been in years. Weekly sessions brought clarity, healing and more strength than if I had tried to make it through life’s challenges on my own. My Therapy Thursday Selfie of me crying, red-faced in an elevator was a step into vulnerability that likely would end up in my Top 9 most liked for the year, which just goes to show how much strength and power there is in being vulnerable, and sharing that side of yourself with the world.
3. My Breakup – A lot happened in the first few months of the year, including a breakup. My partner and I were together for almost 3 years and we were living together which made this one tough. However, we didn’t break up because things were awful, we broke up because we wanted different things for ourselves and our paths were splitting. This was one of the harder breakups to go through because we didn’t hate each other (ironic, right?). We simply recognized that staying together wasn’t going to serve either of us well. It showed me a lesson that was important for me to learn; It’s okay to leave an otherwise good relationship if it’s no longer serving you.
4. The Pandemic – A global pandemic is a part of our history that has affected literally everyone on the planet. So how was the pandemic particularly significant to me? Like many, I lost work at the beginning of the pandemic. Between barely making a living wage and my aforementioned breakup, I couldn’t afford to stay in LA so I made the very difficult decision of moving home. It didn’t take long before work started picking up again. However, being a social media marketer has never been harder and more exhausting. Having to be connected to the Hell Fire that social media was this year was no easy task. But my slow re-growth in business and living at home allowed me to focus on how I wanted my businesses to form, and now my business is growing and thriving.
5. Moving Across the Country – If I showed you my 2020 Vision Board, you would see some travel photos and the words “Road Trip”. While taking a road trip across the country is something I’d always dreamed of, I never imagined a pandemic would be the catalyst for making it happen. As I mentioned, moving back home was a difficult decision. But it strangely led me to fulfill one of my 2020 goals. And even though taking a road trip across the country during a pandemic isn’t as glorious as it could have been, it was still a really incredible and much needed experience. Plus, it led me back home where I’ve been incredibly fortunate to shelter in place and spend quality time with my immediate family. (Read more about my road trip across the country here).
6. Connecting with Nature – Hiking and spending time nature is not a new addition to my life. However, this year I relied heavily on spending time outdoors to get me through. I went on countless hikes and nature walks in 2020, and explored new places near my hometown. I also participated in the World Wildlife Fund’s Step Species Challenge in October and really dove in to nature and environmental documentaries. Connecting with nature in these ways has kept my mental health in check and solidified the importance of protecting and caring for our planet as well as the importance of making the outdoors more accessible to everyone.
7. Losing my Grandmother – One of the most difficult moments of 2020 was losing a loved one. The collective grief on a global scale this year was enough to deal with on its own sometimes. So on top of everything else that we’ve dealt with, having to say goodbye to my grandmother was harder than I could’ve imagined. No matter how prepared you think you are to say goodbye to someone, you can never really be prepared. However, this incredible woman left behind a legacy of strong values, strength, courage and passion. I’m certain I got my wide range of curiosities and creative talents from her as well. And her passing was a reminder that life is precious and short and meant to be lived to the fullest.
8. My Most Profitable Month – One of the things I prioritized this year was my crystal shop. I participated in numerous collaborations and virtual markets. I spent time, energy and a few bucks on marketing. I stepped into self-promoting (actually talking about my business more). I worked on creating new products and learning new things that pertain to growing a business. Again, I spent time and energy really focusing on growing this small business and I’m thrilled to say it’s paying off. After all the hard work, overcoming doubt, and taking risks, December was my most profitable month ever. And not even just my most profitable, but I made more in December than I’ve made all year. The orders flowed in at an unpredictable rate and I cannot express how incredible of a feeling it is to be supported in that way…To work your ass off doing something you love, and receive the love in return. It’s true what they say – when you order from a small business, an actual person does a little happy dance.
9. Learning – This year, if nothing else, was a year of learning experiences. I learned a new craft: macramé. Learning macramé is something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time and this year, with not much else to do in my free time, I finally took the time to learn. The macramé pieces I’ve made for my crystal shop have also been some of my best sellers. I’ve also learned a lot about the sometimes scary reality of the country we live in. I’ve learned how to be more adaptable, flexible, and resilient. I’ve learned more about how to set boundaries and stick to them. I’ve learned that my own self-care is more important than working myself into the ground. I’ve learned the true meaning of being antiracist and that the learning is never over. That it goes beyond supporting organizations and causes and believing that Black Lives Matter. It’s more than reading and listening to and sharing the stories of POC. It’s about reflecting inward and unpacking your own beliefs and biases. It’s about learning to be okay with being uncomfortable. And so much more.
2020 has proven time and time again that things often don’t go to plan and that life can change directions in an instant. There are always going to be ebbs and flows, speed bumps and challenges. So, if I can take anything with me into 2021, it’s that making time to do the things I love, believing in myself, spending time with loved ones, and being compassionate toward others are far too valuable to not make a priority.
Cheers to 2021. May your year be filled with learning experiences, compassion, love and self-care.
