Let’s face it, 2020 was a dumpster fire. The spring semester was interrupted by a pandemic that both professors and students were unequipped to handle. The economy tanked. Mental health plummeted. A historic election stressed everyone out no matter their political affiliation. Jan. 26th marks the anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s death, which many would argue was the start to the infamous year. However, you might be able to recover from the previous year as 2021 moves along, as there are a few things you can do to make the best of the new year.
First, set goals. I know it’s a few weeks late for New Year’s resolutions, but goals are always in season. This may look like scheduling out your days, weeks, or months to keep track of homework assignments. It can be making time to be more intentional with friends and family. It can be joining a new club so you can meet new people, even online. It can even be as little as keeping your camera on in every Zoom meeting. Yes, even the 8 a.m. classes.. Setting goals generates positive productivity.
Another thing you should do to win back your year is pinpoint the opportunity in times of difficulty. Ask yourself how you can make the situation work to your advantage. Stuck in quarantine? Use that time to take a break and rest from the fast-paced world we live in and binge that show you have been wanting to see, catch up on schoolwork or look for summer jobs. You can use almost any situation as an opportunity to develop yourself.
The most relaxing step is to make room for self-care. While in some cases it can look like facemasks and working out, self-care is just an act people take in order to promote their own physical, mental and emotional health that can come in many forms. It could be as simple as ensuring you get enough sleep every night or stepping outside for a few minutes for some fresh air. Self-care is not just a trend! Make use of it.
Next, see a fresh start in loss. I do not know what you went through last year. Some had tragedy after tragedy while others were just sprinkled with inconveniences. Either way, everyone lost something. Baseball’s great Babe Ruth said, “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up. Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” Choosing a positive attitude and outlook truly is the most impactful thing you can do in the upcoming year.
Last but not least, look at 2020 as a lesson, not just the misery we endured. The ultimate goal for 2021 is to have the physical and mental stamina to be rejuvenated from the year we just went through. When negativity like the pandemic strikes, our power comes in the way we respond to it. The key is to recognize the depth of what you just went through, reflect on it and learn from it. 2021 will not reset the ills of 2020, but to many, it is a fresh start. Treat it as such.
