I can’t believe I am writing this the day before New Year’s Eve. Like 2020 is two days away from being over. And then we are right into 2021. Wow has this year had a whirlwind of emotions. I honestly would classify this as one of the longest, and most eventful years ever. A lot has happened and looking back, my goodness, the stress and confusion we have been through this year. I would’ve never thought that the world would have to adjust and adapt to a whole different life as quickly as we had to. No one knew the daily routines we had to give up to adjust to this unknown timing.

But anyway, I don’t want to bore you all with this talk because this is not what I wanted to write about. I did a little Q&A asking you guys what your biggest lesson of 2020 was and I wanted to share a few of them along with some prompts for setting your 2021 goals!

I think I may try to incorporate a few more of these each week because I love hearing the insight of others. It gives me a different perspective and I just love hearing something different from my own thoughts.

I think for a lot of us, and I know a few of you answered with this as well, learned to appreciate what is around you, the small things, the system, and the group supporting you, and to not take for granted those who reach out.  It really inspired me to hear this because I have learned the same thing. I feel like I have always had a part of me this way, but the small moments are seriously what makes me the happiest. It’s the people, the experiences, and the world that truly inspire and humble me more than a number of things. I feel like a lot of people realized this over the span of the beginning of the pandemic to now and it’s amazing how grateful many are for what’s right in front of them.

Another thing is allowing us to feel. I think many of us used to be on the go, always busy, and not fully acknowledging things that were happening to and around us. It’s important that we let ourselves experience our true feelings because the expression is what is going to help us grow and allow us to clear our minds and move on.

I’m sure everyone is able to think about something they’ve learned for themselves but I want to give you a few ideas for prompts to plan for 2021!

1. What was your most beautiful moment of 2020?
2. If there were three people you want to see more of in 2021, who would they be?
3. Using one word, what would best describe the energy of 2020?
4. Write a list of all the challenges you have faced? Now write one lesson or positive aspect that came from each challenge.
5. What wellness activity do you want to take up in 2021?
6. Thinking about goals, what is a personal goal for 2021? A wellness goal? Academic goal? Social goal? Environmental goal?
7. To sum up how you want to feel by the end of this year, write down 10-15 words that will describe your energy for the year to come.

I hope you try some of these prompts or even prompts of your own to reflect and think about what you want to do this year. Remember, change happens when you want it to, and it will come when you put in the effort and try.

Stay Kind and Happy New Year!