The Past Year 2020-2021

Wow, it's been a minute. And by minute I mean 3 years! Life gets crazy, priorities change and passions fade. Now that we are in 2021 we all know that a life threatening pandemic can also happen. This past year has really thrown a curve ball into your normal every day.

COVID-19....ugh! This is something I never thought would happen in my lifetime and here we are. Quarantined in our home still, doing virtual school, working from home, missing friends, not seeing extended family for holidays and have a lot of added stress and worries. Besides putting fear into our lives (or at least mine) it has heightened aniexty, caused depression to return and really changed my view on life.

But what is really important in life? What truly matters? Prior to March 2020 I would work all day, deal with traffic and rush to pick up my son from afterschool care by 5pm. We would then hurry home to change so we can make it on time to t-ball or basketball, but not before letting the dog out, emptying my sons lunchbox, seeing what homework he had and making sure he goes to the bathroom before we head back out. Not to mention get my son in the bath, homework, make dinner, bedtime routine. Everything was always so rushed. My time with my son was basically 5pm-8pm during the week and always so jammed packed. Don't get me wrong, doing all that was always my dream. To have a child, watch him play sports, pack cute lunches, lay in bed reading a book, etc. But 2020 made me realize that all that can be slowed down a bit. Do I really need to rush home every day? Can't I pick my son up from school sometimes instead of sending him to a sitter? Can't I work from home more often so life is a little easier? Clearly this last year has shown that. Just because we CAN do it all, does that mean we should? When it comes down to it, it's time that really matters. More time with family and for ourselves.

This last year I have put MORE hours into work since I am not dealing with two commutes, barely take breaks and have a computer on at all times of the night. This is also something that should change and for my health I need it to. But I have proven I can work from home and well so going back to the daily normal in the office is just not something I am interested in. There needs to be a new normal and not a stigma or judgements around it.

It also showed me that my life choices are mine and you have to do what's best for your family. It's clear not everyone has treated this deadly virus the same way, but the only way that matters to me is how my family handles it. To each their own.

I am hopeful for a better future with the vaccines becoming available but still plan to do my part, mask up and keep distance. Thankfully spring and summer is close by and more fun can be had outdoors.

Right now my priority is reducing my stress by letting some things go when it comes to virtual school, taking breaks at work and living a more healthy life especially for my mental health. Because honestly, is all that added stress worth it? The answer is NO.