2020 is almost over, and if we all listen closely enough when the ball drops, there will be a collective sigh. We don't know what 2021 will bring, but we, as a collective group of humans, have been through so much this past year it's impossible not to have grown in strength and resilience because of it. Hopefully we won't need it as much in the new year, but it we do, we'll have it.
Besides New Years' resolutions, we wanted to share 20 of the biggest lessons we learned in 2020, the year of absolute chaos. Let's be honest: Most of the lessons came from sad and desperate moments, from appreciating technology to learning how to homeschool, but we all have to admit there were a few unexpected good things to come from this. Whether it's spending more time with the kids, or not taking essential workers for granted, we can go into 2021 stronger and better people all-around.
Essential Workers Need to Be Treated With More Respect
Essential workers are the backbone behind our country and our economy during this pandemic. When the world shut down, they continued on, often putting their health at risk to keep our essential businesses open and to feed their own families. If we learned anything this year, it's that these workers need to be treated with more respect, and perhaps to a raise.
Science Is Essential
Science used to be a thing that most people thought of in the context of history books and maybe when included in popular culture, or shows like Contagion. But now, it's on the forefront of everyone's minds as we trust in our scientists to develop safety measures and vaccines to fight COVID-19.
Toilet Paper Is a Hot Commodity
No, this isn't a joke. The year 2020 really showed the world how much Americans really value their toilet paper (spoiler: a lot). Toilet paper was a hot commodity during times of uncertainty, but for no apparent reason. We hope people don't hoard it again like that.
Everyone Can Adapt to Technology With Some Help
Thank goodness for technology. It's the glue that held people together when they could not physically see one another, for both pleasure and work. If this year taught us anything, it's that everyone can adapt to technology with some help, and there will be a way to communicate.
The Common Good Is More Important Than Individuality
The pandemic has really been a once-in-a-lifetime situation that tested how much we as a collective world care about other people. By working together to comply with mask directives, stay-at-home orders, and social distancing, despite not all of us being in high-risk groups, many of us saved lives. And hopefully that skill of selflessness can be applied for years to come.
Electing Leaders Who Will Take Positive Action Is Vital
It can't be ignored that 2020 was an election year, which is ironic considering it was also the year that the pandemic really forced elected officials at all levels to show that they are capable of making the right decisons for their constituents. Some did well, others failed, and it's important we remember who did what in the future.
Washing Hands to 'Happy Birthday' Is the Best Way to Do It
One of the first directives we got during the pandemic was to wash our hands. We can't remember who said it, but washing hands to the tune of "Happy Birthday" became one of the universal ways to combat spreading the virus. It's cute and hygenic, so we hope to see it in 2021.
Staying Home Isn't the Worst Thing in the World
While in lockdown, many people stayed with family in a way never done before. For the first time, no one left the house for weeks. While it may not have been easy the whole time, getting to bond with loved ones is an experience to continue in the new year. Maybe it won't last so long next year.
It's OK to Ask for or Accept Help
No one in recent history has experienced a global pandemic. Most of us have never been ordered to stay in our homes, nor have we experienced almost an entire year of mass death. It's bleak, yes, but it's all to say that this year isn't easy. And the mental impact it may have isn't unnoticed. Now, and in 2021, it's OK to ask for or accept help.
Pets Make Everything Better
One of the few good things that happened as a result of a pandemic and global shutdown is the pets that people clamored to bring into their homes now that they finally had time for them. Pets make everything better, and we hope people will continue to adopt in 2021.
Humans Are More Resilient Than We Thought
It's amazing what human beings can do in times of dire stress and uncertainty. So many frontline workers, health care workers, medics, and others put in more time than required of them to save lives day in and day out without an end in sight. And then, people in cities around the world cheered for them every. single. day. Humans are more resilient than we thought.
Homeschooling Is No Joke
This may have been one of the first lessons learned during this pandemic: Homeschooling is no joke. Trying to help children of all ages, learning levels, and needs all while trying to keep a household sane or work in that same house is a feat so many parents deserve Nobel Prizes for. When things get back to "normal" and the schedule is filled with IRL activities and meetings again, remember what was accomplished this year and be proud.
We Need To Take Climate Change Seriously
We're going to repeat ourselves because it's that important: We need to take climate change seriously, in general, but also as a country. The world saw many natural disasters the last few years but in 2020 alone, Australian wildfires devastated a large part of the country, California wildfires devastated many more and with the residual smoke in California was not a good sign.
Restaurants Need Community Support
Restaurants were one of those things in our culture that we all took for granted. We thought they'd always be around as a collective whole. But this pandemic has shown that isn't necessarily true. We hope that communities will support restaurants, their workers, and other small and local businesses, because now we know they wouldn't be around without community support.
We Can Work From Home & Still Be Productive
Work-from-home life pre-2020 was starting to be accepted more in the workplace, but it still wasn't a universal perk in many offices. Now, with the pandemic forcing companies to adapt, it's clear that working from home is possible and employees can be productive doing it. We hope to see just as much flexibility in 2021.
Puzzles Are Back
Puzzles are one of those activities that was only done either with kids or while camping or in a cabin in the mountains somewhere. Now, it's becoming a popular American pastime with people turning to it while they stay home to be safe. We hope to see more puzzles in 2021, but only because they're cool again.
Masks Work
There is no debate: Masks work. They help stop or in many cases slow the spread of airborne diseases like COVID-19. While they aren't foolproof, they're better protection than nothing for those who need to interact with others outside of their household. While we all wait for the vaccine rollout to kickstart herd immunity, it'll still be important to wear a mask in 2021.
We're MoreĀ Appreciative of Spending Time With Others
No one ever expected to experience anything like this: quarantines, lockdowns, guest limits, canceled events, and social distancing. And when it happened, it happened fast. In 2021, we hope that everyone will bring with them anĀ appreciation for spending time with others ā not on Zoom.
We Won't Take Hugs for Granted Again
Speaking of seeing people in real life and appreciating every minute, when things get better, we hope the "hug" will make a raging comeback as we remember 2020 being the year that hugs weren't safe. And we won't ever take them for granted again.
There Is Always Hope
Last but not least, we think that one of the biggest lessons of 2020, is that it emulated life. There were really low lows, but there's always light at the end of the tunnel and vaccines are already on the way. We may go through hard times, but we'll get through them, together.
