A New Year, A New You

By Jess Mostert 

Boy! It really doesn’t take much thought or consideration to identify 2020 as a STINKER of a year. In fact, at first thought and at a glance, it is probably the WORST year most of us have ever experienced. There is no denying that it has been filled with loss, devastation, and broken moments (maybe even days, weeks or months). The hardest loss faced by far too many people would be that of loved ones: friends and family gone far too soon. It is difficult to see the beauty in anything with that amount of pain. Overcoming loss of that magnitude takes great courage, but the grieving process often offers us the beauty of reflection; reflecting on a life lived, a person loved, memories shared and lessons learned.

What if we changed our lenses and looked at 2020 a bit harder, dug a bit deeper…there, somewhere not so far away, maybe 2020 has also brought a lot of lessons and beauty. Maybe it has pushed you in all the worst ways but grown you in all the best. After all, “A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” – Duke Ellington

Takeaways from 2020

So, at a time that is traditionally known for looking back on the year and looking forward to the next… let us look at what we CAN take away from this year of 2020. 2020 has taught us endurance and given us wisdom. We have learnt that:

• We are extremely resilient.

• Humans can be incredibly kind.

• Our everyday life moments and movements are a privilege.

• We love hugs and they are especially important for our mental and physical health.

• People can unite, even when we are forced apart.

• Connection is key!

• Life is short and is meant to be enjoyed.

• Family, Family, Family is everything!

• Gratitude is extremely powerful.

• Self-care is vital.

• Relationships keep us going!

• It’s okay to not be okay.

• Mental health is just as important as physical health.

• Enjoyment of the small moments is what counts. We have learnt to slow down.

• Living simply and laughing a lot keeps us happy and healthy.

• We need to choose our battles.

• Not everything is within our control.

We have learnt what really matters.

When the clock strikes at midnight, the world status is not going to change. A lot of the devastation caused and experienced will move well into 2021. But by changing your outlook on it all, your thoughts, and feelings, you can change your own world. A New Year; A New You.

It’s Okay!

It’s okay to have bad days. It’s okay to cry about nothing and everything at the same time. It’s okay to find this all hard, even if you know that you are still very fortunate and blessed. Our situations are relative, and we can only truly feel and respond to our own experience. It’s okay to feel exhausted, anxious, scared. But it is not okay to not deal with these moments, so that they do not become the norm in your life. It is okay to have GOOD DAYS TOO, regardless of what is going on around you. Don’t let the heaviness of 2020 weigh your 2021 down. Don’t want to do it alone? Ask for help! 

The reality is that how you see 2020, and now, how you remember 2020 is completely up to you. Which glasses are you going to wear? Remember, that is the same pair that you will be walking into 2021 with. Make the change. Buy the new glasses. They will suit you.

Jess Mostert is a mom of two little boys with a background in Psychology, Special Needs Facilitating and Teaching. Her interest has always been people and her passion has always been helping. Most recently, after starting an Online Mind, Body and Wellness business with a friend, Jess registered as a Specialist Wellness Counsellor. Being a Specialist Wellness Counsellor is a way of life for Jess. She believes that wellness is our greatest tool in preventing illness, and our greatest asset to achieving happiness. It is her goal to share this vision and help people achieve contentment. www.connectablelife.com

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