Why I’m Not Calling 2020 Cancelled
How I’m finding the positive in a year of uncertainty
For most people, 2020 began on a high note. We rang in the new year with themes of the roaring 20s and intended to make this year the best on record. It was a new decade and a clean slate to find ourselves and live our best life.
Little did we know what lurked around the corner: the coronavirus pandemic, lockdowns, unemployment, canceled vacations, and dreams ripped out from underneath our feet.
I won’t discredit the pain, loss, and struggles that many people around the world experienced. Losing a job is difficult, and illness in the family is heartbreaking — I know because I experienced both this year.
Navigating this year is stressful. Our lives are out of our control, and we’re victim to a virus and unfocused leadership. Yet, instead of rising to the challenge, exuding kindness and humility, and connecting with the community, some maintain a victim mindset.
This year was challenging for me. My office closed, and my job relocated. Family members received devastating diagnoses. Yet, I’m not calling 2020 “horrendous.” I’m not wishing it away, calling for cancelation, or letting it hold me back.
Despite the upheaval, I chose to find opportunity, silver linings, and highlight the positive moments. I stay in the present, give gratitude for what I have, and push forward. For me, there’s no other choice. I won’t let situations out of my control drag me down.
Here are a few ways I’m shifting my mindset to maintain a positive outlook on 2020:
Curating the information I take in
Watching the news today is like witnessing a car accident on repeat. And social media? Don’t get me started. Facebook is the new LiveJournal where everyone airs their complaints and injustices without taking action.
I want to stay informed and connected, but I don’t want to encounter negative images and messages 24/7. The best way I can do so is to curate what I take in.
I listen to the news twice a day for 60 minutes to find out important information. It’s usually global news from another country so that I can hear the news from a worldwide viewpoint.
Social media is another beast entirely, but in the last few months, I managed to curate my feed to the point that most of what comes through is positive, uplifting, and educational. I did this by unfollowing anyone with a consistent victim mindset or complaint posts, or those who post disparaging memes that don’t align with my values.
And speaking of those memes: some were cute and funny at the beginning when we had no idea what was happening in our world. Yet here we are, six months on, and I’m still seeing and receiving memes that cast a gloomy shadow and have the potential to throw me into a negative mindset. It’s not the headspace I want, and I actively chose to scroll past and ignore any message that might bring me down.
My result: A positive experience each day. I consume content that is important and accurate, informative, and global. The more I consume content aligned with my values, the more optimistic I am, and the more opportunities I find.
How to do it: Unfollow anyone whose posts make you feel angry, upset, or depressed. Don’t engage, simply unfollow. Track how much you read, watch, or listen to the news and cut it back each day until you’re only receiving the important updates.
Find the opportunities and silver linings
I spent the last two years building a side hustle and diversifying my income. So when my company relocated the local office to the headquarters in another state, I had options available.
Instead of seeing the loss as an ill effect of the pandemic, I saw the silver lining: the chance to take my side hustle full time and build the lifestyle of my dreams.
I know I’m far more privileged than some, and that not everyone has the luxury of a side hustle to lean on. Yet, I see acquaintances with the same privilege wallowing on the sidelines and not creating opportunities for themselves. These are also the same people who complain on Facebook about their misfortune but don’t take action.
What people don’t realize is there are plenty of opportunities that exist with a simple Internet connection. You don’t have to become an entrepreneur and build an online business. Still, you can use your skills and grow additional income streams while waiting out the economy and job market. You can:
- Write here on Medium or Vocal
- Teach through online courses
- Find freelance opportunities on Fiverr or Upwork
- Become an affiliate and share products or services with friends and family
That doesn’t even scratch the surface of what’s possible with an Internet connection. The point is there is an opportunity with technology. You have to open your mind to the possibility there’s something else out there.
My result: Seeing the opportunity in my job shift enabled me to grow my online business, get paid for my writing, and build a lifestyle that I want to live.
How to do it: Look at the bigger picture when a situation occurs and consider if it’s worth getting upset over. Decide if you can pivot or research other opportunities to grow your career.
Find the good and give gratitude
Nothing is more powerful for being positive than showing gratitude each day. I use the Five Minute Journal to notate the things I’m grateful for and to set out affirmations. I developed a habit of gratefulness, and now I find it follows me throughout the day.
The pandemic and work from home created a host of frustrating situations. Instead of letting anger and anxiety take control, I pause and remind myself of what I can be grateful for:
- I have a job
- I can work from the safety of my home
- I’m healthy
- COVID-19 hasn’t affected my family
- I’m saving money
Being grateful for even the small things changed my outlook for the year and my life. Being thankful during a time of chaos and uncertainty put everything into perspective.
I figured out what is most important in my life, what makes me happy, and eliminated the rest.
My result: I’m appreciative of what I have in life and spend more time being happy in the present. I focus more energy on meaningful things and let the anger and frustration leave my body. In the end, I’m lighter, less tense, and ready to move forward.
How to do it: Each morning, write down three things you’re grateful for and reflect upon them during the day. When a situation frustrates you, pause, and reflect on the good in it.
Final Thoughts
At some point or another, we will encounter a hard day, week, or month. Current events might hit close to home. But why discredit an entire year, 365 days, for something out of our control?
What we can control are our thoughts and perspective and how we choose to live our life.
When someone asks you about 2020, will you play victim to the pandemic or speak about the positive?
I’ll mention the positive, and I hope you will too.
