Reflections on 2020
I couldn’t stop laughing when I saw this meme and I feel like it accurately reflects my year.
2020 was a heavy year, and because everything felt different, I decided that I needed to keep with tradition and answer my standard year-end reflection questions.
What significant life changes happened this year?
I started a new job with Dell Technologies in February, and I moved into my new home in April.
What was I most proud of this past year?
I designed and created seven books this year—4 books reflecting on my teaching career, two vacation books, and a genealogical book about the Boivie family line.
The pandemic provided me LOTS of time to settle into my house. During the construction phase, I spent countless hours searching for the perfect furniture. I deliberately decided to evolve my design esthetic and move into a more classic modern style. I loved the final result! This year’s downside is that I haven’t invited people over, so only a handful of people have seen my house.
What was the most significant thing you learned this past year?
Although I enjoy being alone (I even prefer it most of the time), spending time with others (whether in person or electronically) is essential for my well-being. In October, I was able to see my brother Garret and his family for the first time this year. Even though we had talked via Zoom and texted back and forth, the sheer joy of just being in the same room was wonderful.
Shawn Achor in Big Potential also supports this idea:
“As the research begins to emerge, we seem to be learning that almost every attribute of your potential—from intelligence to creativity to leadership to personality and engagement—is interconnected with others. Thus, to truly thrive physically, emotionally, and spiritually, we need to change our pursuit of potential in the same way we need to change our pursuit of happiness: We need to stop trying to be faster alone and start working to become stronger together.”
Other Questions:
What was the price of gas? $1.83
What were my favorite songs/podcasts/books/movies of the year?
Movies: My Octopus Teacher (Netflix) and Hamilton (Disney+)
Books:
Non-Fiction
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown;
Big Potential by Shawn Achor
The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
Fiction
State of Wonder by Anne Patchett
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
Podcast: Nice White Parents by Serial
Songs: Elita by Gary Barlow & Diamonds by Sam Smith – both are excellent dance tracks.
What was your favorite new experience of the year?
Games via Zoom. I’ve spent hundreds of hours on zoom this year—learning to have fun via the tool has been one of my creative outlets. Here are three free options I used several times this year. If you enjoy Pictionary, try Sribbl.io, Code Names is always great. If you want something more challenging, try this complicated escape room, Mansion of Thieves.
What new food did you enjoy this year?
Roasted carrots. I have never been a big fan of cooked carrots—I definitely prefer them raw. Still, I started roasting them, and it was a revelation. Not sure why I’ve never tried it before.
What new questions do you want to ask in the new year?
I have been taking a class on negotiation skills, so my focus in 2021 is to ask “NO” questions. Questions that the respondent answers ‘No’ makes an individual feel safe, whereas a “Yes” question is often fraught with additional context layers. For the sake of a negotiation, it’s better to ask “No” questions.
2020 was the year of memes and I made a point to save my favorites to remember the year. I plan on turning them into a longer format journal/book with some of my observations about 2020.
Now it’s time for the reckoning…2020 Goals Recap
If you read my 2020 New Year’s post, it was filled with optimism and excitement for the new year, but as I was mentally preparing for this post, I was confident that this year had been a massive failure. It didn’t help that my mid-year check-in only showcased what I had failed to achieve.
However, much to my surprise, as I went line by line on each of my 2020 goals, I realized that it wasn’t nearly as dismal as I had thought. Of course, there is still room for massive improvement (I didn’t complete a single emotional goal). Yet, on the whole, I had an OK year.
Emotional
Goals:
Send memoir manuscript to 10 publishers
Audition for 30 voice-over gigs
Enter 5 photography competitions
Ask out 5 guys
Results: I didn’t accomplish any of these goals—definitely room for improvement in 2021
Spiritual
Goal: Complete my Book of Mormon Study Guide.
Results: I read the Book of Mormon, but only completed half the study guide.
Intellectual:
Goal: Read 52 books from 52 different authors and with only 20 books non-fiction.
Results: I read 52 books, with only 17 non-fiction, but MANY books were from the same author. Notice the graph, I was DETERMINED to meet my number goal by the end of the year as evidenced by reading 25 books in December.
If you’re curious about what I read in 2020. Here is my book list.
Physical
Goal: Average 130 “active” minutes a week
Results: Averaged around 100 “active” minutes a week; the bulk of those minutes was in July as part of a steps challenge for work. It was a dismal year for my physical health.
Imagination
Goal: Experience or try 12 new things
Results:
New Places Visited (January)
· San Juan, Puerto Rico; Cozumel, Mexico, and Georgetown, Grand Cayman
New Cooking:
· 6 new recipes baked (cookies, cinnamon rolls, banana bread)
Home:
· Installed curtain rods in 4 rooms (only took 6 hours)
· Installed cabinets in the laundry room
· Installed new Shower Head
Activities
· Completed two Zoom “Escape Rooms”
· Designed several zoom game nights and social activities for work
Given the global pandemic and all the other upheavals of 2020 — I acknowledge the amazing privileges and opportunities that I was provided in 2020, especially in light of all the millions of people who have suffered in countless ways this year. Even though it was a hard year, I am grateful for all my friends, family, and a great job.
How are you feeling about 2020? I would love to know how the year ended for you.
