There Is Still Hope.

My 2020 anthem has to be Open Letter by The Amity Affliction. When I first found this band their songs hit me at a time I was at my lowest, they gave me the hope to continue on.

For many years now I've been in a place where I've only found myself revisiting their music when I fall back into those dark places, which is actually not that often. Well, not until this year. I think we can agree 2020 has been a roller coaster for all of us. We've witnessed a regression in Trans rights, racism is getting at an all time high especially in America, we're going through a mass pandemic, and don't even get me started on brexit.

Funding for mental health services has just been getting worse, now more than ever we need extra support. People like me haven't been able to get the bare minimum we need right now. That's the reason this is my 2020 Anthem, because it's so full of positivity and light.

The lyrics speak to me, and I'm sure they will to many others too. There are two verses that hit me the hardest:

I'm not searching the sky for a reason to live

'Cause I found beauty right here and found the passion to give,

So let me give you my heart, let me give you my tears,

Let me give you my life, let me give you my fears.

Just so you can hold on and sing while I do,

Sing these words out so loud,

Like I sing them for you.

This is your open letter, something to remember,

We can still keep on fighting even though life is not forever.

We are in a situation many of us have never been in before. Whilst we are stuck indoors depression is increasing, we have less distractions. This song is so full of fight, about finding beauty in the little things around me. Making those things be my reason to live.

As the world is crumbling around us it can make us feel as though life almost isn't worth living, but then I hear those words and I remind myself of all the little things that are worth living for.

My animals, family, fiance, the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning. Looking outside my window seeing the wonderful nature, hearing the birds sing every morning. The one cheeky bird who comes into our house to steal the cat food, even though we've put out the bird feeder with bird food. I guess he really just likes the cats food more god knows why!

This song reminds us more now than ever that we must not give up. Many of us are going through intense struggles, whether it be fighting for basic human rights as a POC or you're part of the LGBTQ+ community. Dealing with grief, loss, lack of support, isolation, loneliness. We all have our struggles and this song is so inspirational.

It's a declaration - 'This is my open letter This is something to remember' because it is, I am declaring right now this is my letter, my agreement I will not die before my time. I won't let the struggles I'm facing destroy me. When this year is over and things (hopefully) improve, we can look back on this and think of how we got through. How strong we were to make it out alive. That many others weren't as lucky, pay respect to them and their battles.

This will be our song of 2020, because it'll remind us of our strength when all this is over.