
“For me the end of the year is always a time to reflect and recharge my energies.” ~ Gisele Bundchen
The Home Stretch
Six weeks until Christmas and seven until the end of 2020! For anyone who needs to hear this, we are almost there friends. Almost there! I feel like I could equate this year to a marathon. The first couple weeks were exciting, at least for me until my grandmother fell and ultimately tragically passed the end of January, and then it all fell apart with illness. I know for others the excitement lasted longer. And then it was that long stretch or endless miles ahead with lockdown and the pandemic, and toilet paper shortages.
Yet somehow we have reached the last couple miles, that home stretch, and the adrenaline has kicked in again with the excitement of the holidays upon us, we have almost finished the marathon that is 2020. We are almost there, and we have this!
Perspective
I know I talk a lot about perspective, but I really feel like it is important, especially now with all the upheaval and vitriol that seems like a constant diatribe in society and especially online. Perspective helps direct our life, it determines how we handle the craziness and tumultuous up and downs, which no matter how much we wish it not to be, is a part of all of our journeys. Yes, 2020 seems to be a big collective suck fest for most of us, there are silver linings and that is what we need to seek if we don’t wish to wallow in the suckery.
Don’t get me wrong, wallowing isn’t all bad and it is normal. But staying STUCK in the constant negative is not healthy for anyone, which is why it is so important to look for the silver linings even in the most trying of times, there are positives, whether it is that the sun is shining, or someone bought you coffee, or did something to make you smile.
Positivity is NOT a Privilege
I honestly debated writing this, because I have tried so hard to be positive and not contribute to any of the vitriol. At the same time, I have been attacked and accused of being “privileged” for my positive outlook, which isn’t okay either. Don’t get me wrong, I know and acknowledge my privilege, but positivity is not that. We are all allowed to handle things the way we see fit to handle them. As I have said before, no one knows what is in another’s heart, or what one has walked through.
Positivity is not a privilege. It is choice. a conscientious choice no matter who or what or where you are in life. It is as much a choice as it is to get up in the morning and shower, and drink coffee and choose your wardrobe and go to work. All of those tasks might sound mundane, but for some they are difficult to do, but as humans we still need to choose to do them no matter how hard it is.
And it can be hard. Being positive doesn’t mean it is easy or that I am naive to the goings on in the world. On the contrary, in my opinion, most people who are “happy” or “positive” (and I use quotes because it is perception and judgement from others) are that way because life has been shitty and they get how fleeting joy can be.
So little is in our control
We, because I do include myself in this, realize how amazing it is, and not to take the simple moments for granted. We realize that there are bigger things and small things and you really can’t control most of it, so why stress and be negative over it. Change and fight what you CAN change, but there is no point in harping on what you can’t.
This perspective doesn’t come because we are privileged, but because life has attempted to knock us down over and over again. And yet still being alive is a gift. Being able to live this life when so many people can’t. THAT is a gift. Irregardless of what life has thrown at me. And in the midst of a pandemic, I feel that even more so.
Shit happens irregardless of the year
Shit is going to happen in our life whether it is 2020 or another year. Sometimes big, sometimes small, but to quote Ironman it is inevitable. As a society we have gotten into this rut where we want everything to be smooth sailing and easy. (please let me know if I am wrong) and life is NOT like that. What makes life, well life, is the trials and tribulations. THAT is what makes us strong. And what makes us even stronger is how we face it. How we internalize it, and how we grow from it.
2020 has been a year, no doubt about that, like any good marathon it has tested our reserves. But it is up to us whether we focus on the strength we gained in fighting through each month or mile, or whether we focus on the hurdles that were put in our way and let it defeat us. THAT is the choice we all get to make as we reach the finish line and continue on to the next year ahead. What WILL we take into 2021?
Are you excited for 2020 to be over? What is your views on positivity and perspectives?
I have aways been a strong believer that
For me, my ability to stay positive is directly related to my pain and stress level. The higher those get, and the longer they stay that way, the harder it is to stay positive. But, instead of being negative, I usually just read more. As long as I can stay distracted, I don’t get the rabid grumps too bad.
Such a great post and a good reminder that we can stay stuck forever. The last 4 years have been TOUGH for me; the first 2 years for very different reasons than the last 2, but at the end of the day, I’m still here. I’m hoping to reframe a lot of the negative feelings I have about the past year and start 2021 on an awesome note! 💗
Absolutely wonderful and a beautiful outlook for many of us to emulate and embrace. We know only too well about moving forward through pain and loss trying to be positive, not staying stuck in negativity. So very proud of you!
I’m so excited this suckfest of a year is finally coming to close! I completely agree with your perspective about positivity. Being positive because you’re oblivious to negative things happening in the world would be a privilege, but most positive people I know are VERY aware life sucks sometimes and choose to be positive to try make it suck a bit less xx
I totally agree with you, no matter what year it is good shit and bad shit is going to happen. But I do think it’s all about perspective, how you perceive a negative situation and what you can do to turn it around. Its important to find the silver linings or recognize what you’ve learned or gained from the bad thing/situation. Despite the craziness and how it’s effected me, I think it taught me to be much more adaptable and positive and I think I’m coming out of this year more thankful and optimistic than how I went into it. I’m not in anymore of a rush to be done with 2020 but I am very excited to see what 2021 holds 🙂