It’s finally December… so you know what that means! Yes — finally, after what felt like an eternity, the year of endless surprises is coming to a close — 2020 is soon approaching its end. Oh, of course I meant the Holiday Season too, but I think the conclusion of 2020 is equally as joyous!
If I had to describe this year as anything, I would probably relate it to an insane roller coaster with a bunch of bumps and loops that just falls off its track. Or batting at a baseball game and hitting all foul balls. How about a book with a million plot twists that all go in the wrong direction? Honestly, anything from the song “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette would fit in pretty nicely here. It’s no doubt that 2020 has been a year to remember, one that will go down in the history books, and although this year hasn’t exactly gone “right” for anyone, my sometimes-overly-optimistic self has to confess that it most definitely hasn’t been all bad. Sure, I spent my Thanksgiving in the hospital due to an allergic reaction, but hey, that could’ve happened any year! Maybe it was a sign that I shouldn’t have been eating so many desserts in the first place. I definitely think there’s good and bad in every year, it’s just that this year was a tad more radical than most of the others.
As I was driving to Stevens the other morning, I was listening to the radio when I had an epiphany; the car seems to be where most of my “epiphanies” occur. The sun was shining so brightly as I was driving over the Bayonne Bridge and “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield was in the background. Peaceful, I know. I’ve heard that song so many times, but I don’t think I’ve ever fully listened to the words until that moment. It reminded me that the future is an open book; that even when it feels like there’s no hope, things can change at any second.
It’s hard to think about the big picture when there are so many life-altering occurrences being thrown around, but the truth is that the current problems you’re faced with will all, eventually, be history. If you think about it, memories aren’t always defined by what makes us most anxious at that moment. We look back on the goodness of times, and the strength that we carried through the hardships. 2020 should be seen as the year of endurance, the year that we all sustained more than we thought we were capable of. Looking at it this way, instead of comparing it to my previous expectations, my freshman year has been awesome so far. Though it has been quite unconventional and the circumstances are strange, I’ve met so many amazing people and I’ve made so many wonderful connections within my first few months. Those are the details that I’m going to remember in a few years, not the stresses that pop up every now and then. It’s important to reflect on the simpler things: the small accomplishments that arise in us a feeling of pride, or the subtle aspects of life that make us feel at home.
Saying goodbye to 2020 won’t be hard for most people. In fact, I’m fairly confident that the majority can’t wait for this year to be over. However, before you label it as “hopelessly awful” and throw it away, think of how much you’ve grown this year and allow yourself to feel proud. I hope that everyone has a Happy Holidays, and a wonderful New Year!
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