The looming 2021

How was your Christmas? I hope you had a special day.

Scrolling through Facebook, it does look as if many of you did. It’s nice seeing the happy family photos and what people are doing during their Christmas break.

This time of year is really hard for some people – I know. I’m one of them. Walking around feeling as if you are on the edge of tears all day is really horrible. To wake up Boxing Day is such a blessed relief, knowing the day is behind me and I don’t have to worry about these feelings for a whole year. So many people are lonely and alone.

2020 has exacerbated these feelings, I’m sure. With parts of Sydney in a partial lockdown and family members having their plans upset with border restrictions, I’ve seen so many of you saying how you can’t wait for 2020 to be over.

I agree with you! As a humans we are ever the optimists aren’t we? But at this moment, I can’t see how 2021 can be much better, can you? “The Virus” is still around, changing people’s plans and life at any given moment. I’m not keen on leaving WA to see my parents and family in SA in case the borders are slammed shut before I have the opportunity to get home.

Does the fact a vaccine might be able to be rolled out give us cause for comfort? I hope so. The thought of being able to roam freely around Australia again is rather appealing! My daughter would be keen to be able to roam around the world, but I fear those days might be a long way off yet.

This year has certainly been a challenging one for me; I know I’m not on my own there. A lesson I learned this year was that I abhor people who backstab, break trust and use people as stepping stones to advance their own career and I refuse to be around these shallow types of people.

So how to overcome these feelings? Well, I’m staying away from social media for a while. I’m immersing myself in friends, books, music and words. I’m talking to my family a lot on the phone and I’m hanging out with kids and dogs. Long walks on the beach, meditation and writing in my journal. These things help keep me grounded and grateful. And while feelings often threaten to overwhelm me, I know I have to bring myself back to the moment. To the here and now and remember what I’m grateful for.

Perhaps one of the biggest things I’m grateful for right now, is the fact my daughter isn’t in the UK. She’s tucked up in my house where she’s safe! And the fact I have people who love me, a career and a readership (for which I am ever grateful for you all for allowing me to have these) and food and a roof over my head.

I’ve realised this year, it’s the simple which matter. Family and friends. Conversations that mean something, laughing with my kids and sitting on the patio with a wine and patting my dog. I’m a simple person and love simple things.

I hope the end of this year is peaceful for you and that as we put our toe into 2021, that there is cause for optimism and hope.