it was an exceptional year

Oh, what a year we’ve lived! Yes, it was a great and exceptional year.

For me, it all started with a lot of stress and pressure at work. Very intensive times, as we were going through some changes. I thought that this was it, a couple of months and then it will all get smoother, just the beginning of the year. And it was like that, after 3 months things were looking like we were starting to sail smooth, but then…Corona came.

This one was a complete new challenge, for all of us, and we felt it. From the way we were used to live, to an abrupt new reality. Working from home, being concerned with our health and our freedom, something that we took in the past for granted, was now jeopardised.

After a month I’ve got used to the new reality. Learned new mechanisms to cope with the situation and I started to reap up the benefits of it.

First on my list, I saved so much time this year. I was spending close to 2 hours a day commuting, this was a great win. I could now have a 1 hour breakfast with my wife and have an early dinner after work. This reduced the stress for me in the morning and at the end of the day. Further more, I realised that at work I was 50% as productive, as I was now. Previously, I did not have that much time to work on the things I had to, as I needed to jump from one meeting to another. Now I can really put those 15 to 30 minutes, in-between meetings, to great use. But of course, working from home has also its own drawbacks, everything tends to blend and the days look similar. Being confined between 4 walls all day long is challenging, as I still need to find ways to better cope with that.

By the middle of the year, I was welcoming my son into this world, and I couldn’t be more excited about becoming a father. The new reality helped me with that as well. Working from home gave me the chance to be close to my wife and to the little one. I was able to see him growing, hear him crying, enjoy his laughter. Couldn’t ask for more.

Work wise things also changed for the better, as now the meetings are more productive. United us in a way, that I couldn’t imagine before. We all have understanding for one another, as we know we all need to cope with this new reality in our own way. I can really see and observe the people now, much better than I was able to do so in the office.

The course of life kept flowing, and people departed from my life this year as well. Life didn’t care about the current situation and this affected me, unexpectedly. The last months of the year served me with a sad surprise, when my grandmother passed away. But… what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and stronger I grew. On the bright side, I also experienced the first bites of food my son took. The sweetest view of all that I can ask for, seeing him munching away some broccoli.

Lockdown after lockdown, kept us busy in our houses. I have to say that this had a positive impact on my health, as I am now eating more healthier and better than ever before. I cook more, and it makes me more conscious of what I eat and drink. I am eating less meat, and drink alcohol very rarely. This improved my sleep, which in return gave me a morning advantage. I can rise really early in the morning, have a read, drink my one coffee before 8 o’clock and then start my day. Not that bad!

The best part of this year, was when we decided not to pay for GIS anymore. Here, in this country if you have a TV you need to pay quite a high tax for public television. That was really a waste of money as I was not watching cable TV since years, only netflixing. So we decided to sell our TV and not buy another one. Best decision ever. We’ve changed also the livingroom to not leave space for such a thing, and replace that space with books. I couldn’t be more happier now that I transfer even more time, from binging to reading or even writing, as you can see :). Still, I need to get rid of my phone. You know…I kinda’ replace one addiction with another, hehe. Still for me this was a positive change, one that will help me with becoming a better version of myself.

I am looking with interest to the next year, to see what will it bring, on my list now is Facebook. I am considering dropping my account, and maybe quitting for real drinking alcohol, even though I love beer and rum :).

2020 was an exceptional and great year, full of challenges, of losses, but also full of gains! I reclaimed some of my time back, which makes me spend time with myself, and helps me to self-reflect.

Welcome 2021! Enjoy your new year, make it count!