There’s no point in telling you how bad last year was. It was simply horrendous on all accounts. And sure, there were probably some good moments on a personal level, but they were scarce and in the shadow of a global pandemic that shook the modern world to its core. Still, isn’t it time to try and change things, at least to some degree?
What went wrong with 2020
As we all know, by the beginning of the last year, a new type of virus began to spread across the world. It was late 2019 when the Chinese authorities reported that something wasn’t right with pneumonia cases in one of their southern provinces. But by the time the rest of the world got to understand the gravity of the situation, it was too late — COVID-19 was everywhere.
However, the pandemic wasn’t the only thing that made 2020 the worst year. Aside from thousands upon thousands dying from this deadly virus, the political climate was getting hotter by the minute. And if you add to that social and economic despair, you get yourself a recipe for disaster. From BLM protests in the summer to the storming of the Capitol, the world we knew was tumbling down like a pair of dice.
Luckily, the elections are over, and we now have multiple vaccines at our disposal. It seems like things are slowly moving forward in a positive direction. Either way, there’s plenty of room for empathy, love, and hugs for all of us to share until it’s all over. So, let’s list some tips on how to make 2021 at least a tiny bit better than the previous 12 months.
Simple decisions to make 2021 somewhat better
Sure, coronavirus isn’t exactly the bubonic plague (Black Death) that killed more than 50 million people. But in all honesty, it sure does feel like it. Hence, why don’t we use simple solutions and more sympathy to solve our differences and struggles? Let’s smile, hug, kiss, and appreciate each other some more this time.
Smile more
If you ask us, our first and most important decision for 2021 is to smile more. It might sound silly while so many of us are struggling, but it won’t hurt anyone to look at things positively. And sure, it’s hard to find a good reason to smile these days, but keep looking. Sometimes, even the smallest of things can make a difference during the day, and they’re worthy of a big, ear-to-ear grin.
Complain less
Another good decision to make is to loosen up a bit and complain less often. You know, not everything can be perfect, so you shouldn’t always bother making things right. It’s a stressful time even without us complaining. And if you think about it, our cries of desperation won’t make things better.
Appreciate more
How often do you wake up in the morning and feel grateful for being in good health and not in the hospital with a respirator down your throat? Well, not often enough. Appreciate life more than before, and you’ll soon find happiness in the littlest of things that surround you. Be positive that you’ve still got time to make your dreams come true, no matter how insignificant they might seem.
Connect more
It’s safe to say we all missed our friends and family during those lonely days of initial lockdown. Only then did some of us realize how important it is to connect with others. Without friends, partners, and family, life just seems empty, doesn’t it? So, use your time to call people you didn’t have time for, send texts as much as you can, and don’t forget to ask how they’re feeling.
Own less
If there’s one silver lining to lockdowns, it’s the realization that objects matter less than actual people in our lives. During all those lonesome days of being at home, none of your stuff could help mend the hole left by the lack of socialization. No designer clothes or high-end tech matters if you don’t have someone to share it with. Hence, stop worrying about making big money and owning things that won’t matter in the end.
Waste less
Another effective decision to make 2021 the best year is to waste less. And no, not just your hard-earned money, but time too. Stop piping about things that don’t matter. Don’t waste your time and energy on things and people who don’t deserve them. There’s only so much of you that you can give away before you end up feeling like an empty shell.
Thank more
It’s easy to forget to thank others for the little things they bring into your life. Sometimes, you just don’t appreciate the contribution they make. But to live a healthier life in the future, we’d suggest that you take the time to let others know how much you’re thankful for having them alongside you. Know that by doing so, they’ll return the favor too.
Compete less
Although it might seem like a cliché to say this, life isn’t a race. It’s not some competition you must win at all cost. And if you feel like it is, you’ll soon end up disappointed because you can’t win all the time. It’s better to leave unhealthy competitions aside and embrace your limits as they’re what makes you who you are when the sun goes down.
Understand more
If you didn’t notice by now, we’re all different, and you’ll never change that. Some like it like this, while others are completely the opposite. And that’s perfectly fine in our book. Hence, it’s essential not to judge people on how they feel and act about things depending on your views. Allow everyone to live the way they want to as long as it doesn’t hurt you.
Save more
Similar to previous advice about wasting less, you should save more. And again, we’re not only talking about money and physical things. What we’re on about is time, love, and energy. Save yourself for the people who matter in your life. Don’t allow energy vampires to drain you for their greedy ambitions.
Love more
Lastly, 2021 should be all about love. The one you send out and receive from friends and family. To everyone who needs it. And, certainly, there’s always someone around you that lacks it. Your decision-making skills must rely on empathy for your fellow man.
We know how cheesy this all sounds, but we’d be lying if we said we didn’t feel loveless when all of this began. The briefest of calls or the shortest of texts made us a tiny bit better while in lockdown. You know, the notion that there’s someone out there who’s thinking of you. Be a darling and spread as much love as possible, will you?