2020 didn’t quite turn out the way we expected it to be. Some had to face bigger challenges and obstacles compared to others, while some are able to overcome those challenges and come out far stronger than before. Then there are those who are still struggling to stay afloat.

Despite all this, it’s fair to say there are still many things that are worth celebrating. Before we welcome 2021, let’s take a little of our time to reflect on what are some of the things we can be thankful for.

We got out of our comfort zones

Taken from Reflecting on 2020: lessons learned in an extraordinary year, Lu-Lyn Chang, co-founder and chief marketing officer, Bray Leino Splash, Singapore said,

“Embrace the change, try something new. While the pandemic brought on many challenges, it also presented us with the opportunity to get ourselves out of our comfort zones to try new ways of working and playing. It was therefore a total delight to see our people rally together to go on ‘virtual walks’ as well as learning quickly how to conduct our first livestream event in China. This has really brought home that adage, ‘tough times don’t last, but tough people do’.”

Some of the new things we did was to open an online store and came up with products that could be sent via courier services. On a personal level, we took up gardening and online classes.

We took time to smell the flowers

In the 5 Lessons we can learn from Covid article, Anne Converse Willkomm, the Assistant Clinical Professor of the Department Head of Graduate Studies of Goodwin College of Professional Studies, Drexel University wrote,

When the stay at home orders began, I noticed a number of posts on Facebook, friends commented, as did colleagues, “I’m hearing more birds chirping” or, “The sky seems much bluer.” We were forced to slow down and this allowed our brains to absorb the world around us. I don’t think there are more birds, although we do know that our worldwide collective stay-at-home order reduced carbon emissions by 17%. For some, the skies were clearer and bluer. My point is to take time to smell the flowers, enjoy the natural world around us, take it in, and let it sit with you. Perhaps in a small way, it can help us cope with the mental health effects of dealing with the coronavirus.

We can’t tell you how much we agree with this. The lockdown period gave us the chance to reconnect with nature and appreciate it better. We spent time in our garden and started noticing the birds and the little creatures. The air somehow felt fresher too. Now? We’re still spending time in the garden and it has become an activity that we look forward to doing each day, regardless how hectic our schedule can get.

We needed less stuff than we think

In her article Five Lessons to Remember When Lockdown Ends, Jill wrote,

It’s pretty clear that we don’t need so much stuff or as many conveniences as we’ve become accustomed to. The basic essentials—food, clean water, and good health, for example—are much more important than having a manicure or buying the newest computer. Given how many of these consumer items and activities negatively impact the health of the planet, it makes sense to rethink our priorities and consider skipping some to allow everyone to have the basics for survival.

Luckily, our well-being isn’t dependent on consumer products. Studies have found that kindness and generosity make us happier than pampering ourselves or buying ourselves stuff. It may be hard to believe; in fact, researchers often find that people underestimate the impacts of giving to others on their happiness.

But it’s true: We will likely be happier and create a healthier society if we can consume less and give more.

We absolutely agree with this! We noticed we were able to make do with what we have and this has definitely helped to keep our expenses in check. We’ve also been on the receiving end for so many things throughout these past few months and it brought us so much joy and happiness! We’ve recently started to give back and loving every bit of it.

We can adapt

An important point shared in the 4 Lessons learned during the Covid-19 crisis article,

The COVID-19 pandemic crisis has been uncharted waters for the entire global community. Everyone, from governments and companies to individuals, has had to deal with a new reality and with an inevitable negative impact on the economy. While we have hit pause on most of our business-as-usual activities, we quickly adapted to the new reality in all aspects; as a brand, employer and service provider. We immediately activated a WFH policy for all Beat employees, we closed our Driver Centres, we helped local authorities and hospitals to transfer medical staff, we provided our passengers and drivers with resources and tips to protect themselves, we adapted our product to the local dynamic needs. 

Yes, yes, yes! Adapting takes time. Some are quick at it, some are still working on it. But at the end of it, we somehow rather will manage to adapt. That’s what makes us unique. Knowing that change is real and that come what may, we can find a way to adapt to the changes.

This will pass

Susan Guillory, from AllBusiness shared in the 5 Lessons Small Business Owners Should Learn From The Coronavirus Crisis,

I tell myself this every single day. Things suck right now for most of us. Many of us are stuck at home with kids who are climbing up the walls. We might not know how we’ll pay next month’s bills. We’re even limited in being able to get out and enjoy the great outdoors if it puts our health in jeopardy.

But this will be over soon. Think of those who survived the Great Depression. Or World War II. Or 9/11. Name your devastation, and they all have one thing in common: eventually things got better. Yes, the trauma and financial impact may live on longer, but we will survive this. We’ve just got to keep positive and know that good things are coming.

2020 will soon become another distant memory. It’ll be another topic of discussion that we’ll talk and reminiscent from time to time. The pain, the struggles, and the problems we had to face would eventually be a thing of the past. In time, we may speak lesser of it, or even forget it. Whatever you’re going through right now, know that the way forward is to keep moving forward. Take it a day, a moment at a time. Better things are waiting for you. Embrace it when it happen.

We’d love to know what are the lessons you’ve learned from 2020. Do share in the comments sections. As for 2021, let’s aim to be a little more kinder, compassionate, and thoughtful, shall we?