There’s something about being on the verge of a new year that is intoxicating— so much promise and potential awaits, and we usually have a laundry list of things we want to accomplish that we didn’t (or weren’t able to) do this past year.
Like many other people, I tend to set some lofty goals for myself that I never completely follow through on. At the end of each year, it’s easy to dwell on where I fell short, especially now in 2020, with a pandemic in full swing.
Most of the year, I felt like I was moving through mud. Along with the challenges that come with so much change happening in my own life, the troubles of the world hung over me like a dark cloud: ominous, always lurking, and infusing my daily life with anxiety and a sense of impending doom. It deeply saddens me to think of all the people in devastating situations struggling with the mental and physical health issues this year has imposed.
Despite my personal challenges, I have a wonderful life and one that I am grateful to be living. So to close out this year, as an exercise in self-encouragement and reflection, I made myself a list of accomplishments and new experiences I had in the past year that brought joy and a sense of purpose during difficult times— essentially, the silver linings of my year.
1. Traveled to Mexico on a cruise.
2. Finally saw a big scar on my leg heal after almost a year of ointments and sunscreen.
3. Moved into our first house with a backyard— so long, apartments!
4. Led a data-driven consulting project for a subsidiary of large multinational corporation.
5. Led communications for a large fundraising auction as a member of its planning committee and MC’d the event, where we raised thousands in funds for MBA scholarships for women.
6. Actually won an auction item during live bidding for the first time— turns out, it was tickets to one of the last professional hockey games we would experience before the regular season was put on pause for the pandemic.
7. Led a student marketing organization to put on new member events, including a workshop on Google Analytics.
8. Traveled to Washington D.C. and had great educational experiences at the Brookings Institution and visiting the United States Capitol.
9. Went skiing and snowshoeing in Montana for the first time.
10. Lived in the Montana mountains for 3 months while finishing graduate school.
11. Graduated with my MBA, a dream I’d been working toward realizing for about 5 years at this point.
12. Earned my Missouri boating license, learned how to operate a boat, and learned how to pull a water skier.
13. Started a new job in a new industry.
14. Passed 3 professional licensing exams.
15. Drove 24 hours across the country 5 separate times.
16. Grew a vegetable garden.
17. Learned how to play tennis and loved it.
18. Learned how to play with two hands on the piano after years of saying I couldn’t do it. Taught myself some simple songs, including one of my favorites, Moon River.
19. Finally had professional portraits taken of Stephan and me, and in a way, it helped us celebrate finishing graduate school.
20. Rejuvenated my hair and nails with a lot of self-care.
21. Visited a North Carolina beach for the first time; an enchanting experience, as I always find the ocean to be a beautiful and meditative place.
22. Took the plunge and finally got a second dog—a Boston Terrier puppy. A dream of mine for a few years now!
23. Spent a month enjoying quality time with my parents, thanks to the flexibility of a virtual work environment.
To make this list, I had to look back through my phone for photos, notes, and calendar entries for inspiration. I ended up with a longer list that I thought I would, and it’s made me feel hopeful for what the future holds.
We are capable of so much if we strive to be intentional and mindful with our time. It’s one of the greatest gifts we have, and we never know when it will run out. If you are feeling down about this year, try making your own list of silver linings— it might surprise you, too!
– L
leslieannramey.com 