Today I’m feeling very weird about the new year approaching. Normally, the new year is a time for resetting, reflection, and celebration with friends. Normally, it feels like a beginning and an end at the same time. But this year, it feels like more of the same. More staying home, more wearing a mask, more facetime and zoom calls, etc. Just a continuation of what we’ve been seeing for months. 

Since I vowed to be as authentic as possible in my posts, I want to be honest. I’m really tired of 2020, but I’m not holding my breath for January either. Unfortunately, the chaos of this year will not be brought to a halt simply because we’re buying new decorative calendars.

Getting back to normal life will inherently involve a transition period, which means that our lives will continue to require patience, regardless of how “tired of it” we are. 

So as we move into the new year, I’d like to offer a realistic take on what’s to come, and why I think it’ll all be worth the wait.

2020 has been a year with monumental opportunities for personal growth. 

We’ve all been pushed outside of our comfort zones. We’ve adjusted our way of life to our circumstances, we’ve faced great challenges, and we’ve endured rapid change both externally and internally. As a result, each of us has learned to be more adaptable, more self-aware, and more resilient. But it doesn’t always feel like that, right?

In the wake of this year a lot of us feel different. We’re collectively worried that we won’t be able to “feel the same” in the future, that we’ll be more paranoid, fearful, anxious, pessimistic, and stressed out, even after the transition back to normal. 

The path to overcoming all of the emotions inspired by this year will be unique for every one of us. So I won’t pretend to know what the way forward will look like for you. But what I do know is that there will come a day when you get to do something you haven’t been able to do this year, and you’ll be able to do it without fear, without restriction.

It’ll feel natural and totally wonderful.

At some point, you’ll notice yourself experiencing that moment fully without the challenging emotions you’re experiencing now, and it will bring you so much joy. 

An unfathomable amount of joy.

Like the kind of joy you see on a kiddo’s face when they meet their favorite Disney character in person. 

And it’s going to be one of the simplest things. 

Maybe you and your friends will go to the movie theater, talk amongst yourselves and make jokes in line. Perhaps you’ll order your favorite snacks and a giant coke icee (or whatever makes you happy).

Then, you’ll sit down in the theater and hear the sound erupt around you for the first time in so long. And your freedom to experience it without guilt or fear will overwhelm you with happiness.

Going forward, that happiness could come from anywhere, unexpectedly.

In that moment, whenever it happens for you, you’ll feel your capacity for joy has expanded in the wake of all this challenge. 

You’ll see clearly how precious your experiences are, and you won’t be able to unsee it. 

So even though I have complicated feelings about celebrating the new year while coronavirus is still alive and well, I do feel like we’re nearing the light at the end of the tunnel. 

And when we get there, it’ll be nothing short of magnificent.

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How are you feeling about the new year approaching? Is there anything you’re looking forward to experiencing in the future? Leave a comment or send me a message to share your thoughts. 

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Cheers, 

Morgan Rita Barbret