Photo from my Instagram
Can anyone else believe we’re in the second half of 2020? I mean, I don’t want to scare anyone but that’s just so crazy to me. But in some way, looking back on to New Years feels like another lifetime ago. I thought for todays post I would chat about the 6 lessons I’ve learned in the first 6 months of 2020. Lets be real here, theres *loads* more if I sat down and studied it for 2 days, but for now, I’m going with these.
White Privilege and the Black Lives Matter Movement
It goes without saying, this is by far the most important lesson that I will keep learning about this year, and so it should be. Over the last few weeks I have learnt so much more than I ever did in school, come to think of it, I can’t remember hardly anything from my history lessons. I have watched so many valuable and insightful things online, and I’ve read some great fiction reads that deals with the topic of racism really well too. Next on my list is watching ‘When They See Us’ on Netflix, and reading Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race’. I feel ashamed that its taken me this long to start learning more, but I’m on a lifelong journey now.
Global pandemics can happen- and shake up your world
Not seeing my sister and nephew for 3 months, not being able to sit in my grandmas and visit her, our family business providing frontline care throughout these worrying times, the lack of normality and uncertainty that there’s no set plans for the immediate future are all scary problems I’ve dealt with throughout the Coronavirus (I also know a lot of people have it a lot worse and I’m so thankful that we haven’t had any ill family members). Before 2020, I couldn’t even imagine the world having a global pandemic, and what would happen because of that. Face coverings, intense hand washing, staying at home all the time. 2020 has shown me so far that nothing is ever set in stone.
Body confidence
Compared to the beginning of this year, and even a few months ago, I feel a lot more comfortable in my body. I think most of that is due to HIIT training, and seeing how that has helped towards my running too. It’s really gave me the confidence that I didn’t even realise I was lacking. Like most of us, I’ve been on such a massive journey with everything body related, so having a sense of acceptable (however long that may last) feels so good right now.
Slow is best
In regards to the pandemic, most of our lives, if we’re lucky, has slowed down a huge amount. At first, I didn’t really notice a different in my immediate lifestyle, but after a first few weeks I realised I was obviously rushing around a lot less than I was before, and I put less expectations on my day than I’d ever had before. I really want to keep this slow pace of life going when everything goes back to ‘normal’. I feel like my general mood is much better when I operate this way, and that affects the rest of my lifestyle too.
You know what’s really important
When you can’t hug your loved one, suddenly, it doesn’t matter as much if your Instagram picture hasn’t got as many likes as the one before, or that you ended up skipping a workout for an extra hour in bed instead. I’m sure on some days these are things I’m bound to forget, but when everything is burning down, it just cements to you how important the small things are.
Staying positive is key
The little things have always made me happy, and that’s proven even more true these past few months. When I’m looking after myself (eating well, working out, sleeping well etc) I know that I can be my best self, and others feel that benefit too. Focusing on happy things when I’m having a bad day makes me feel better, and I’ve learnt how to know when I need to be extra kind to myself and rest, too.
How are you feeling about the first half of 2020?