20 Things I Learned In 2020

20 things i learned in 2020

(inspired by shannon barry)

at a moment’s notice, in the blink of an eye, from one second to another, everything can change. there’s no preparing for it sometimes. just accepting it. 

being apart doesn’t mean we lack togetherness; there are a multitude of ways to forge connection with someone aside from physically being with them.

it really is the little things – never underestimate just how healing a warm walk or reading a good book can be.

empathy is still a foreign concept to many so surround yourself with people who care about more than just themselves.

just because the world stopped spinning for a few months, doesn’t mean time stopped moving; the months may have bled into each other but that doesn’t mean we were living in an endless march - october still came and it blessed us with orange leaves and crisp skies. july brought the fireworks it promised it would. december still came with christmas. it may have felt different, but it was still there.

don’t be afraid to stand up when others are telling you to sit down; don’t be afraid to shout when others are telling you to be quiet.

the people in your corner will save you in more ways than one and maybe, just maybe, you’ll be saving them too.

you don’t need a reason to do your makeup or wear a fancy dress. look like you’re going to prom in your backyard, eat mcdonald’s with your face beat. who cares? “just because” is always reason enough.

that thing you’ve always wanted to try? do it. instead of starting your thoughts with “what if i” or “i could just” – do it. nothing’s holding you back except for you.

the world will turn upside down in more ways than one and you are going to turn with it; all you can do is hold on tight and go with the flow. 

it’s okay to be scared, it’d be scarier if you weren’t. 

injustice doesn’t stop because the world stopped; hatred will always be loud and ugly and it’s up to us to turn that pain into promise through education and action.

being alone doesn’t have to be lonely. learn to fall in love with spending time with yourself. 

we’re all connected in ways we never realized and we affect each other’s lives in more ways than we’ll ever truly understand. we’re all connected someway, somehow. 

just because it seems like everyone else is hustling, doesn’t mean you have to as well. move at you’re own pace. 

don’t stop taking pictures just because things are ugly now; one day, you’ll look back and be glad you did. 

we haven’t lived through a chapter of a US history textbook – we are still living through one. just because the page is turning doesn’t mean everything is changing. be patient. 

you’re allowed to just be. you’re allowed to just exist. 

don’t stop chasing happiness just because it’s harder to get a hold of.

keep trying. keep fighting. keep loving. keep living.

(cc, 2020)