December 31, 2019.
Remember that night?
Maybe you were out at a New Year’s Eve party, working, or watching the ball drop from your couch – like me. Wherever you were, you were probably reflecting on 2019 and looking forward to what 2020 would bring. You may have had big plans. Big goals for yourself and your family.
And the first few months of 2020 may have started off great for you.
You – like the rest of us – had no idea what was coming.
COVID-19 pandemic
It doesn’t matter where you live or who you are. All of our lives changed once the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Things got derailed. Plans changed or were completely cancelled. Goals were put to the side. There was a crisis at hand.
Black Lives Matter movement
Then, when we thought COVID-19 was on it’s way out (though not really), our country was once again turned upside down. The death of George Floyd sparked a movement in the midst of the pandemic. Protests, riots, and a whole lot of unrest overshadowed the crisis that we were already facing.
And we’re only 6 months in.
But, even with all the craziness, 2020 has still taught me quite a few lessons so far:
The value of human interaction
I don’t really consider myself a terribly “social” person, but I’m starting to miss hugs, face-to- face conversations, and the occasional brunch with friends. We’ve missed out on graduation celebrations, birthday parties, and baby showers for friends and family. You don’t realize how valuable these moments are until they just can’t happen anymore.
You can grab my FREE Nourishment Planner, which includes a list of 20 simple ways you can spend time with your kids.
The importance of family
I’ve spent A LOT of uninterrupted time with my family over the past few months. Instead of rushing from one thing to the next, we’re actually spending quality time together. My kids have learned to rely on each other since they don’t have any friends around. And my hubby and I have had a lot more time to spend together.
Make use of what you have
COVID has definitely limited my shopping trips and mindless walks around Target. I’ve saved a lot of money. And I’ve learned how to make due with what I have on hand at home. Those random trips out just aren’t as necessary as they used to seem. I can do without trips to the hair and nail salon. The kids can survive without their outside activities for a little while. This pandemic has really helped me to recognize a NEED vs a WANT.
We’ve pulled out things from around the house that we haven’t used in YEARS. Plus, we’re using our pool and backyard more than ever. We’re finally using all the stuff we’ve worked so hard for.
The importance of an emergency fund
COVID-19 brought a lot of uncertainty to a lot of households. Especially when it comes to money. Having an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses has definitely helped us to rest a little easier. Dave Ramsey really knows what he’s talking about!
The value in “essential employees”
I’m not just talking about first responders and people working in healthcare. I’m talking about the grocery store workers, teachers, gas station attendants, postal workers/delivery guys, janitors, garbage collectors, etc. Everyone who continued to work through this pandemic because their services were absolutely needed. I can’t imagine what our country would look like without them. (Especially our teachers!)
The importance of hygiene
I’m now super-aware of transferring germs. I’m washing my hands and sanitizing now more than ever. Wiping down surfaces, wearing masks, keeping my distance, and making sure I’m not bringing anything home to my family.
New ways of doing things
Through all of this, I’ve realized how much we can truly do with the technology we have. Zoom has changed our lives – from my 6 year-old on up. We’ve used it for school, meetings, dance classes, and even a birthday party and baby shower. We’re FaceTiming family members more than usual. Virtual schooling. Watching church services and graduation celebrations all online. We’re using online grocery and curbside pickup in ways that we never did before.
The way we do things has definitely changed – a lot of it for the better.
Health disparities still exist
COVID-19 showed the entire country what a lot of us already knew – minority communities are hit the hardest by a lot of illnesses. Health disparities do still exist between the races. And need to be addressed.
Racism still exists
The Black Lives Matter movement has helped people all over our country to see that racism still exists. That just because you don’t see or feel it yourself, doesn’t mean it isn’t real. We’ve started the conversation about white privilege. People are realizing how real it is. And how hard it can be to see it within yourself.
Yet we still have a long way to go.
These Racism Conversation Starters can help you get the convo started with your kids.
The importance of coming together
This is by far the biggest lesson I’ve learned over the past few months. Both from COVID and the Black Lives Matter Movement. Flattening the COVID-19 curve only happens when everyone decides to do their part. If my family was the only family locked inside while everyone else partied on South Beach, the curve would just keep rising. We all have the responsibility to stay home, wear masks, wash hands, use sanitizer, clean surfaces, and stay 6 feet apart. Not just to protect our family. We all have to do our part to protect the most vulnerable among us.
And it’s not enough for the black voices to be the only ones screaming out. No one person or group will win the fight against racism alone. Everyone has to commit to the fight. Whether it’s marching, protesting, donating, educating yourself, making positive changes, and passing the message of love, respect, and acceptance on to your kids.We ALL have to work together to see real change.
I don’t know about you. I’m exhausted! And 2020 isn’t even half way over yet.
I’m praying for a better second half for all of us. It can only go up from here, right?
Have you learned any other lessons from 2020 so far? I’d love to hear them! Leave them in the comments below!
And if you’re a busy mom looking for simple ways to nurture your many relationships during this time, fill out the box below! You’ll get my Nourishment Planner with 60 practical ways to nurture your yourself, your marriage, and your kids. You’ll also get access to my Resource Library filled with other handy printables. Plus my weekly newsletter filled with my personal stories, lessons learned, and tips on making it through this journey as a working wife and mom.
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