7 Surprising Things I’m Grateful for in 2020

The things that help us most are the things we take for granted.

Gratitude and struggle aren’t mutually exclusive. This year has presented new challenges the world over, and most of us are still adjusting. I can’t count the number of times I’ve left the house without a mask, living like it’s 2019, and had to backtrack to get it. As we move into new seasons, we become more aware of the limitations brought on by Covid-19. Struggles, rather than dissipating, are intensifying, but despite all of the difficulties, we can still find gratitude for the small and surprising things that helped us survive the year.

ColorStreet If you would have told me in January that having a continuous manicure would make my life better, I would have scoffed. I don’t even like getting manicures. I get bored long before they’re done, and I always manage to mess them up because I can’t sit still and watch paint dry. I like my nails to look nice, but I hate the investment of time and money.

So, there I was, deep into lockdown, when I came across ColorStreet with their nail polish that works like stickers but is actually polish. A full, beautiful mani/pedi — with designs — in all of about 15 minutes? What dark magic is this? I’ve spent the better part of the year with beautiful, healthy nails. Even if few people see them, this one self-care splurge is actually affordable and has contributed to healthier nails.

The Goodreads 2020 Reading Challenge It’s probably helpful to admit that I am a lifelong bookworm, but since I became a full-time author and single parent, I haven’t had the time for reading that I once did. I set my Goodreads Challenge goal for a modest 25 books, mostly based on last year’s reading. Before the summer was out, I had doubled the number of books I had planned to read for the year.

It seems like a small thing, but it’s not. With stress levels rising because of financial setbacks, distance learning, and more isolation, being able to dive into the world of books is something I am truly grateful to have done. While it’s not necessary to count every book we read, the challenge helped me compile a list of books I was excited about reading, and it also helped me be accountable for leaving reviews. For every book I read, I left a review — both on Goodreads and on Amazon (even if I borrowed the book from the public library).

Resin Paint Who would have ever thought I would be grateful for resin paint? After spending the first part of the year redecorating my home and creating a cozy space, I found myself dissatisfied with a few pieces of used or hand-me-down furniture that didn’t fit in with the rest of my home. With my income falling, I couldn’t really afford to invest in new ones. I began scouring online sales and nearby antique and flea markets for what I wanted, but I often ran into budget issues there as well.

But on one such antique store visit, I found a craft section with resin paint. After looking at a few of the finished projects in the booth, I bought two colors and went home. Keep in mind — these weren’t vintage pieces it would be a sacrilege to paint. I had a dresser, a cabinet, a couple of end tables, and a bookshelf that were cheap pieces that could be described, if you are Southern like me, as “ugly as homemade sin”. But with a little resin paint, I turned them into a beautiful part of my overall décor. Plus, I was able to do it on a budget. Two small containers of paint took care of every piece I needed to paint.

Soup Soup seems like a weird and random thing to devote an entire paragraph to, but in 2020, I found a local woman who makes soup as well as herbal remedies and desserts. With weekly deliveries, I signed right up and started trying her healthy, delicious creations. I had the comfort of knowing that I was supporting a small business while also getting a weekly delivery of comfort in the form of soup.

Ellie Activewear 2020 has definitely been the year of ath-leisure wear and house dresses. Comfort has been key — both for working at home but also for fitness. I’ve spent a lot of time paddle boarding, hiking, and cycling this year, and my older workout clothes were showing the wear and tear from regular use. After doing some research, I decided to give Ellie Activewear a try (you can try it for 25% off using code 25OFFNOV).

First of all, I love subscription boxes. If I could, I’d have more of them. I’ve tried beauty boxes, food delivery, book boxes, and more. But this was my first foray into an activewear box. The price was right, and each month, I receive three articles of clothing. I love the styles, and I like adding a little variety for my fitness. Since I’ve been working out daily, it’s been nice to be able to switch up what I’m wearing.

Towel Warmer Like many people across the globe, I spent too much on Amazon and other deliveries this year. My favorite investment of them all was in a towel warmer. With social distancing, I certainly have not gotten my quota of hugs this year, and I may be making up for that into next year. The towel warmer sort of simulates a warm hug.

Okay — that does sound sad, but don’t underestimate the value of comfort. When we get out of showers in my home, we go straight into warm towels. I can even warm blankets in them before bed for a cozy sleep. It’s not just for winter either. I started using them in the summer because it was such a comforting part of my bath time ritual. I bought some boring things this year and had a couple of instances of buyer’s remorse, but the towel warmer was worth every penny.

The Folklore Album Taylor Swift surprised us all with what is clearly the album of the year. Even people who hate on her had to admit it is a gorgeous album all the way through. It became this year’s soundtrack, and I’ve yet to land on a favorite since I love so many of the songs. With the entire world in chaos and the political landscape in the United States so divided, Folklore is something we can all agree on and enjoy. (Plus, I bought the cardigan, too, and I can’t say enough good things about that.)

Of course, I’m grateful for a lot more than just seven things this year, but I found it surprising that some of the things that helped the most aren’t the things I’d normally expect. I’m always grateful for my children, my partner, my home and town, my puppy, my work — but I also had nail polish and workout clothes for self-care, books and a new album for entertainment, soup and a towel warmer for comfort, and paint for indoor projects that helped me get through lockdown on a budget.

It just goes to show that we can take a lot for granted, and the things that help us the most aren’t always the things we’d expect. Most of us are still figuring this out as we go. Even though we may still struggle, there’s still room for gratitude.