Dear, 2021

Dear Marielle,

2020 was a difficult year. Now it is a new year. Did you feel that sigh of relief that you took the moment the ball dropped on New Year’s Eve illuminating 2021? It’s your time to take a breath of relief. Let it go. Let it all go. Last year you said that 2020 was going to be your year. But how were you to know that a pandemic would cause chaos in the world? Nobody did.

Don’t get yourself down that you didn’t achieve your goals? Look at it this way. You survived! This year, I want you to complete the goals that you made last year. Six days into 2021 and you are already achieving that! Have you realized that?

You have gone to work with your dad researching more of what you want to do in the future. You made the decision to publish one of your stories this year. And you are doing a better job of letting the past go. Because of the negative vibes from 2020, it made you flood your mind with all the terrible memories from the past.

Let’s talk about your goals for this year: Research/Find a JobJob, Publish a book, continue to exercise, draw every day, read every day, start creating your own Youtube Movie Reviews. Already, you have been doing very well.

The world still has a long way to go in 2021. Focus on you. Pay attention to your needs. Remember how you overwhelmed yourself to the point that you felt like you could not breathe? 2021 is the year to improve your mental health. Don’t overwhelm yourself.

I want you to do only what you can instead of forcing yourself to. For example, you did not have to write a movie review every day in October or take part in Inktober. This year, I want you to make better decisions so you won’t burn yourself out. That is not good for you.

2021 is going to be the year that you let go of the past, reach your goals, and start to grow more. Most importantly, accept 2020. It is never going to go away. Talk about it.

You bottled up most of your feelings but it is time to let people in on what you are thinking. And to yourself. Continue to be positive but don’t let it take over you. It’s okay to see the bad in life.

Normal is not going to return for a while. One reason why you feel more relaxed is that you have been living through this new normal for almost a year. It’s not an easy thing to accept. But keep on experiencing. Keep making goals, don’t lose hope, and continue to make memories.

One of the best moments of 2020 was the time spent with your family. Those days spent on the deck laughing with your family are not to be forgotten. And moments with your friends were great, too. But this year, I want you to live for you.

Just like you say in all those movie reviews, explore, don’t be afraid of change, and give love a chance. We have to live life. And as you just learned from watching the Pixar film, Soul, invest in others’ lives. Make more connections.

So, keep at it with a positive outlook for 2021. I am proud of you. The way you were smiling the other night about all your successes is the way every night should end. I am looking forward to seeing what happens in 2021.

Smile. Laugh. Grow. Learn. Accept.

With love,

Me