my 2020 so far…
It’s been a weird year.
We’re almost halfway through this dumpster fire that is 2020, so now is as good a time as any to reflect. In case you were curious, here’s what I’ve been up to this year:
Got a new job
Read:
You Shall Know Our Velocity by Dave Eggers
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Look Alive Out There by Sloane Crosley
Did stand up comedy back when that was still a thing
Built a raised vegetable garden bed
Bought a record player
Drafted a radio story about young stroke survivors
Completed two puzzles, successfully framed one of them
Started going to therapy!
Stopped wearing makeup
Learned how to French braid
Baked a lot of banana bread
Started writing a new book
Recorded a podcast episode about the coronavirus and its impact on the brain
Watched Tiger King, Ozark, The Bachelor, Love is Blind, Love Island, and Outlander
Built a bookshelf
Deleted dating apps from my phone
Went to two peaceful marches to honor George Floyd, one of which was estimated to be the largest protest for civil rights in history
Celebrated Taco Tuesday every single week of quarantine
Submitted to an audio journalism award
Got rejected for a TED Talk
Was selected to perform at a theater festival for solo performers
Donated to Australian bushfires and Black Lives Matter campaigns
Turned 28 and celebrated on a Zoom call
Told a stranger I had a crush on them
Bought patio furniture
Somehow avoided getting coronavirus (so far anyway…)
Gained a few pounds
Went to the Women’s March
Visited Seattle and Atlanta
Taught online writing classes
Saw Steve Buscemi on a subway
Went to the dog park a lot
Reckoned with my white privilege
Shook Ira Glass’s hand at a podcast conference
Downloaded Tik Tok
Signed a copy of my book to a stranger and left it in a library box
Facetimed with friends and dogs
Became a valued customer at the local wine store
Got a CrockPot
Took an Enneagram Test
Battled anxiety
Taken a lot of naps
When I look back at this list, I consider how lucky I am. To be alive, to still have a job, and to live in a state where history is taking place literally in my backyard.
Some of these things feel like they happened years ago. Every month of quarantine has felt like a lifetime. 2020 has aged us. I am exhausted and afraid for the future every time I look at the news. But I am also hopeful. Hopeful that change is upon us all and that this year is not “canceled” but rather a year of growth for us all.
While few can argue that this season of humanity really sucks and we’d like a word with the writer’s responsible for the ridiculous plot lines that have become our lives, we each have an opportunity to build this world up again. With love, standing up for what is right, and taking care of ourselves too.
Take stock of your 2020. You’re doing the best you can.
