Ah, 2020. The year we learned that mass hysteria can make things so much worse than they actually are. There was really NO NEED to make trips to the supermarket feel like post-apocalyptic raids; the toilet paper supply chain would have been fine if everyone had just gone about their business (no pun intended) as usual. We've seen some things clearly with our 2020 vision – turns out we CAN drastically reduce carbon emissions if we really put our minds to it. Also, seeing our loved ones really is our top priority, even ahead of our beloved pubs. (Who knew?)
Other things seem more
muddled: I'm torn between believing that the elite powers-that-be know exactly
what they're doing at all times and are enacting a Machiavellian plot to control
us, the other part of me looks at Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock and thinks
"These guys? Really?" I can't help wondering if conspiracy theorists
have a touching faith in our leaders' intelligence and competence at basic tasks
which I simply don't share. (Not to mention Bill Gates, who can afford the finest scientific
minds that money can buy, yet somehow the best population-culling virus they could
produce barely works on anyone who isn't already vulnerable? Get your money
back, mate.)
A weird thing I had never realised but now notice every day is the group low self-esteem of the UK; nothing good is ever allowed to happen without people moaning that it would have been even better if we'd still been in the EU when it occurred, or that we only think it's good because we're so used to things being awful. It was Brits tweeting about "Plague Island" when a new variant was discovered here, ignoring the fact that it was likely to be quietly prevalent all over the world, having been discovered in Britain first because the genome sequencing here is ahead of other countries'. (I mean, our government has handled covid incredibly badly, even their mums wouldn't argue with that. But let's not discredit our scientists along with them.)
I find it strange that people apparently believe years to be sentient beings, like when various elderly celebrities died and people were like "Screw you, 2016!" (Ah, remember when that counted as a bad year? Those were the days, eh?) But whether it's been a "good" year or not, I think there is a really deeply-held human need to have a point in time when we all collectively draw a line under what's happened, turn the page and start afresh. As we'll probably all be staying home in our PJs tonight (I confess, this has been my MO for New Year's Eve for several years) may I recommend some introspection? You don't HAVE to get a special notebook and use different coloured pens and ponder all these questions over endless cups of tea and Christmas chocolate and your favourite music or possibly Jurassic Park playing quietly in the background, but if you're even vaguely self-obessed and narcissistic (*raises hand*) and you do this, it'll be the best fun you've had all year.
If you keep notes for several years running, it's really interesting to see how, er, you don't really change. (Oops!) But at least you're aware of your recurring obstacles....
💜 What are you passionate about? What are you doing to pursue those passions? What else could you do?
💛Who and what things are weighing you down and how could you get rid of them?
💗What do you need to forgive yourself for?
💙When did you feel most alive this year, and what was sacred about that moment?
💚What self-love actions can you practise on a daily basis?
💗What did you learn in 2020? And what did you learn about yourself?
💜What did 2020 represent on your path?
💛What are you most grateful for?
💙What was an unexpected triumph?
💗What story best reflects the way you've grown this year?
💚What relationships meant most to you in 2020 and why?
💛What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in 2020 and how did you handle it?
💙What was your proudest moment in 2020?
💜What was the most meaningful compliment you received this year? Why was it so meaningful to you?
💛What frustration came up again and again? How can you handle it in future?
💗What should you start?
💚What should you stop?
💛How good are you willing to let life get?
💜What major indulgence are you willing to experience?
💗What was your most meaningful selfless act? What was the most selfless act anyone did for you?
💚What did you get really CLEAR on? What do you want to get clear on in 2021?
💙What breakthroughs did you have?
💛What were the single best and worst things that happened?
💗What was your biggest time waster?
💙What was the best way you used your time?
💜What would you like to change about yourself? What steps could you take towards this?
💚How did fear contol you?
💙At what cost did you avoid pain?
💗 What are you trying to avoid when you fill silence with distractions?
💛What brings you most joy and how are you going to do more of that?
💚What changes could you make to your life that would bring you more peace?
💗What progress did you make towards your biggest goals?
💛What will you have to sacrifice to reach your goals?
💙What slowed your progress this year?
💜What do you want to celebrate from this year?
💗What's the best advice you can give yourself for 2021?
💚What do you think your biggest risk of 2021 will be?
💙What are your top 3 prorities for 2021?
💛At the end of 2021 how would you like your life to be transformed?
💖HAPPY NEW YEAR, ALL! 💖
