If There’s Anything 2020 Has Taught Us…
Tags: Life Lessons, Inspiration, Mental Health, Happiness, Pandemic

Sometimes we can get distracted trying to be someone, trying to be something, or trying not to be anything for that matter.

This year really put the brakes on the train, thrusting us right into the wall of who we truly are — we all crashed.

Some of us didn’t make it — my thoughts go out to them. Some of us are still fighting our way out. A few of us are on life support. And many of us are still choking from the smoke trying to see what really happened; what caused the train to crash right before our destination?

We got a whole lot to talk about.

I gained everything when I lost everything

When I lost my job, I remember cycling home scared and happy at the very same time. I was like, “How am I going to afford the lifestyle I had? How can afford to even pay rent? Where am I going to get money for food?”

Although these questions would fill my head, day and night to the point I couldn’t sleep; something in me felt happy and relieved. I stopped running— I’d been freed from the hamster wheel, the rat race of paying to survive.

For every stride I took, it felt like sinking in quicksand. I was buying more and living beyond what I could afford. As any 20 something would have it, I had no regard for what working and making money was about.

Since I’m young and still have all the energy, I was okay doing 12–16–18 hour shifts at the jobs I worked, and that still wasn’t enough to afford my lifestyle. I was Just Over Broke, which is why I felt stuck at my J.O.B all the time.

I lost everything.

I sold all that I thought made me who I was, just to stay afloat.

The thing is, it’s not what you do when get punched in the mouth; it’s about what you do when you get up. So I got up, dusted off my worry and anxiety as if it was gone for good. It wasn’t. I just focused on what was important at the time — survival.

I told myself that if I was going to lose it all, I’d rather go out having fun than being scared of what’s coming next. And, I haven't looked back since then.

There’s always light at the end of the tunnel

During this process, I discovered the power of meditation, making peace with my enemies, fasting (cause I was broke), and most of all, the importance of mental health.

This opened a whole new discovery world for me.

We don’t really need much to survive or enjoy life. It’s all starting to make sense when they say, “simplicity is the best form of sophistication”.

When I sold most of the ‘junk’ I thought I needed, to cover rent and food; I was more happy and relieved. The night before, I was anxious about losing everything — in reality, I wasn’t.

I hate to sound cliché, but it’s no joke when they say, “life begins when you hit rock bottom”. You don’t know what’s important until you’ve come to ground zero — where you’re looking up, instead of looking down.

I’m not sharing this story for you to feel bad for me, I’m sharing because I know someone needs to hear this:

It’s okay to lose it all — sometimes that’s what it takes to have it all; you can’t feed a full stomach more food, or else you puke.

I’m doing great now and I’m happier than I ever was. I’m healthier, stronger and most of all at peace with myself — even if the world is at war. The thing is, I’m not special, you can also have the same experience even more than I’ve had so far.

To Pimp A Butterfly?

It’s been a humbling experience, 2020 made me stronger than I ever thought.

If this year didn’t happen many of us wouldn’t be where we are, today — for the good. Many of us feel like this year took away a lot from us — I say, 2020 helped us realize what is really important in life.

Many of us have been forced to deal with our demons and problems — I call this year: The Butterfly Experience — T.B.E

We’ve graduated from a caterpillar to now being the monarchs that’ll be crowned in due time.

What you went through wasn’t meaningless — yes, we’ve all lost everything, but sometimes sh*t gotta get ugly before it starts to look nice.

We are going to get through it, this is not the end.

Much love, and peace!