Have you thanked yourself for living through 2020?
By: Tendai Banda
Tags: Mental Health, Motivation, Malawi, New Year Resolution

It’s that stressful time of the year again, 12 months have passed us by like a twinkle of an eye. Most people have shared what they have been able to achieve and we look at ourselves and reality sinks in — we haven’t achieved anything substantial. We start asking ourselves, “What have we done this year?” or the usual “What is wrong with me?”

Honestly, if you really put in thought and work in what to get out of 2020 but things haven’t turned out as planned, then this article is for you. As you are reflecting on the year, I hope you can be encouraged by the 5 reasons I have come up with and ultimately thank yourself from for leaving through 2020.

1. It was beyond your control!

I think none of us entered 2020 thinking it would suck this much. COVID 19 has affected many of the plans we had hence we should be able to give ourselves a thumbs up for being able to still survive. Some things are just beyond our control and sometimes recognizing that this is the case is good for acceptance, healing and moving on.

2. Think about the little milestones

You may have accomplished some little things which you may have overlooked. I am a big fan of small wins which shall lead to bigger conquests. However, I was like you before I discovered this, always looking for the long-term results which take time for one to start seeing the outcome.

Try to sit down and think of the things that went well and wrong this year, write everything that comes to your mind. I bet when you complete this task, you will start seeing that there are some milestones you have made which feed into the new year resolutions you made or life-term goals.

3. You can always start over!

I have always taught myself that life shall be a series of challenges some which I will conquer at first attempt and others that shall require a few tries. We have the power to go back to the drawing board and think about how we can perfect the courses of action that we planned to accomplish. Sometimes you will be shocked at how going back to the drawing board does more harm than good. As you are reflecting, also think of those things you can change to do better in 2021.

4. You are still standing

Honestly, 2020 has shown us how death is the ultimate destination for all of us. People have died regardless of whether they are young, old, good, bad, famous, or just people like you and me. Am sure like me, you have also lost a few loved ones (Rest in Peace Uncle Chimwemwe Chikusa and Chaponda).

“I hope this continues to teach us how life is fragile, and we should live each day to the fullest and be grateful to still be alive.”

If you are reading this and feeling like giving up on your dreams because of the 1 year setback you have got I hope you think of the amazing gift of life you have and not let it go to waste. There is a reason why you are still alive! Your life’s mission should be to find this purpose and embrace it fearlessly.

5. Thank yourself

A big part of moving on with our broken dreams to pitch them again to 2021 is being kind to ourselves. Just like we are kind to those we love, lets extend the same courtesy to ourselves! When was the last time we told ourselves that we are a survivor and made it thus far through a global pandemic? That we love ourselves and thank ourselves for working hard and still standing in unprecedented times as these? I am always reminded of this excerpt from Snoop Dogg’s speech when he was being given a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame below:

Remember to thank yourself -Snoop Dogg

Hope you get inspired to do the same, plan to dedicate a few minutes to just say something nice to yourself and thank yourself for living through a pandemic.

Feedback: goaldiggingwithTendai@gmail.com

The story was first published in Malawi News under the FeMail section as below: