2020 was a horrendous year. We all know that. Now 2021 has finally arrived and gives us all a chance to take stock of our lives and how much we take for granted. I have done a lot of reflecting over the last few months but going forward I do believe I have so much to be thankful for.
Next month I will be moving into a house that is actually mine. After years and years of scrimping and saving me and my amazing girlfriend have finally managed to buy our first house together. No more renting. No more paying someone else's mortgage. It's all ours!
I have never been so excited in my life. We're already planning what colour each room will be. What furniture to buy. Even what cupboard handles we want (a bit sad, I know). But I can't help feeling that it is marred by the fact that our loved ones are unable to come and see our new home. They can only share our joy through a laptop screen, half a city away.
Nevertheless we are determined to remain positive, adapt to the new normal and make the most of every day.
This move marks a massive shift in our lives and even though we have not moved yet the positivity flowing through my veins is unrecognisable. For so long there has been nothing to look forward to, nothing to get excited about (apart from the occasional pizza or beer delivery). Now though I can feel myself getting happier. There is no more feeling of being in limbo; there is a direct end goal and it is in sight.
I think that the pandemic has enforced everyone to take stock of their lives and become really appreciative of what they have and what they have maybe taken for granted. I know personally that I will never turn down the opportunity again to go for a drink with my mates at the local. In the past I have been known to let my social anxiety get the best of me and I have made up excuses as to why I cannot go, and saying to myself “maybe next time”. That will not happen again after the stark realisation that you never really know if there will be a next time. It’s an easy mantra to say, but much harder to live by but going forward I am really going to try and treat every day as if it may be my last.
Something else I have also taken for granted is my health. As someone who suffers from Asthma I feel that I may be more likely to suffer more severe symptoms if I were to contract COVID-19. I have been really fortunate however throughout this pandemic in the fact that I have been able to work from home. This has enabled me to concentrate more on my physical and mental wellbeing while at home. My anxiety levels are much lower as I do not have to worry about coming into contact with the virus, but also I am a naturally socially anxious person anyway so just staying at home all the time has been a massive weight off my shoulders. During this time I have been able to concentrate more on drinking more water and making sure I am always hydrated as well as fitting in a quick 15 minute workout on my breaks.
Going forward I would really like to take my healthy eating habits up a notch. Me and my girlfriend have committed to doing dry February. I feel like alcohol has a massive impact on my anxiety levels. Not so much when I am drinking but more so the day after, so I think it is time to cancel the monthly beer delivery subscription. I would still have a cheeky pint or two at the local when the opportunity arises as I mentioned earlier though. I also need to cut down on junk food too. During lockdown it has just been way too easy to order fast food on my phone rather than cook something and this is something I am committed to working on.
All in all, I personally have a lot to look forward to in 2021 and am super excited for it all to unfold. If I commit to keeping my mental and physical health in check then I have a good feeling that this could be my year. Here's to a more positive and productive year. Peace and love xx
About the Creator
John Moroney
An aspiring writer specialising in self-help in the field of mental health. Occasional horror fiction writer.
Twitter - @BoyWAnxsBrain
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