2021.. Is anyone else tired already?
There is no denying it, 2020 was a big year. The end of 2020 felt like we were dragging ourselves over the finish line to close out the year. Bushfires, Covid-19, Black Lives Matter, the list goes on. 2020 was big. We hoped getting through 2020 and emerging out into 2021 would be the reset button and the fresh start we all needed. There was a social media post going around about avoiding New Year declarations and sneaking into 2021 hoping it didn’t notice us. I think we all connected with that one. But has 2021 turned out to be the fresh start so many hoped for?
It doesn’t look like it. It is only January 11th, and already this year has been big. Lockdowns continue, a new strain of Covid-19 has entered Australia, crowds stormed the US Capitol (does anyone else feel like that was literally scenes out of a Hollywood movie?!), and locally there have been tragic deaths that have sent our community and our nation into mourning.
Does anyone else feel like they have a 2020 hangover? Tired, not in the best shape, and wanting to do nothing more than lay on the couch in front of Netflix eating fried food?
Most people I have spoken to so far this year seem to have rolled into 2021 with a sense of exhaustion. A week off over Christmas was not enough to reset. Plus this Christmas did not exactly turn out to be the Christmas we longed for, with ongoing restrictions and border closures. Normally we start out the year with enthusiasm, New Year’s resolutions, renewed energy, goals to kick, and a “can-do” attitude. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am still looking for mine!!
2020 was a highly emotional and exhausting year. No matter where you live or what you do for work, you were likely impacted. Even in regional NSW, where we had less active cases of Covid-19 than other areas may have had, and didn’t have some of the lockdown conditions other regions may have experienced, we still experienced the uncertainty and chronic stress that came with the “unprecedented times”. It has taken its toll. It is no wonder then that as we enter 2021, we feel exhausted, apprehensive, and really stuck on how to get our motivation for 2021.
There is no magic solution. I cannot sit here and tell you “this is going to be your year!”, “you’ve got this!”, “follow my 5 steps and you will achieve the miraculous 2021 success you deserve!” It isn’t so simple, and frankly right now, no one feels connected to those sentiments.
That being said, we do need to find a way to get through this year. The reality is that it isn’t perfect, but we need to find a way through and to hopefully still find some joy and enjoyment of 2021. Here are a few of the things I am trying to help me get through the next few months. I am hoping some of them might help you too.
1. Gratitude. Though it might sound clichéd, I am pretty sold on what this can do for us. Taking time each day to note a few things we are grateful for can do wonders for our mood and our perspective. There are definitely some tough things happening at the moment, and while maybe not every day is a good day, hopefully there are some good moments we can appreciate. For me today I am grateful for coffee (it is Monday after all!), supportive networks, and time to think. If you haven’t read it already, you should definitely check out The Resilience Project by Hugh Van Cuylenburg. It is a great read.
2. Self-compassion. Times like this definitely call for kindness. We are so conscious of working hard to be kind to others, but are we showing ourselves the same kindness? We really need to cut ourselves some slack. That inner critic can be tough. In a world where you can be anything, be kind – including to yourself!
3. Staying connected. Covid-19 has made it harder for us to physically be with many of our loved ones, but it has also taught us some great creative ways to stay in touch. I am greatly enjoying the time I have with my family and treasuring those moments, but I am also pledging to work hard at contacting those special to me who live at a distance.
4. Disconnecting. Ok so that sounds conflicting, but sometimes we need to remember to connect in meaningful ways, and disconnect in ways that aren’t leading to joy for us. Whether that is taking a break from social media if you need it, or even taking a break from the endless news cycle if it is wearing you down, we can be conscious in the ways we choose to connect each day.
5. Getting outside. For me getting outside is a great way to be mindful and reset my brain a little. Enjoying some sunshine, fresh air, and a little greenery does wonders. At Christmas I greatly enjoyed a few days on the coast to put my feet in the ocean, but I equally love being outside on the farm and taking in the gorgeous views that regional Australia has to offer.
6. Slowing down and appreciating the smaller things. One of the things I enjoyed most in 2020 was the quiet weekends I had at home with my family. Spending time cooking, gardening, reading, and being with my family was definitely a highlight for me, and something that I am committed to taking into 2021, no matter what version of “normal” we might return to.
7. Setting realistic goals. I am tired. I am not entering the New Year with the enthusiasm I might have had in previous years. See point 2 about self-compassion. I am being realistic with myself about what I can do at the moment, and I am reminding myself that is totally ok.
As I said, there is no magic solution to our 2020 hangover. These are some of the things I am trying at the moment to help me get my spark back. I hope they might help some of you also. Over the next few weeks we hope to try and share a few more ideas with you, and we would love to hear some of yours.
Stay safe and reach out if you need.
x Tanya