Hope Is Around the Corner

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I don’t know that I’ve ever had a year like this before--a year of fear, uncertainty, sadness, and change. But, despite the politics, pandemic, and fires, we survived. We made it! And we get to have a fresh start with new hopes and dreams for the future.

2020 wasn't all bad, of course. There were some beautiful moments. Karl and I learned to slow down and find excitement in our regular routines, special moments in the mundane, and adventures in our everyday lives. And we did this while quarantining, without going crazy!

According to the New York Times and other sources, we (in the US) can expect spikes in COVID-19 cases in early 2021 due to Christmas and New Year’s Eve gatherings. However, we know what to do and we just have to hang in there a little longer and stay positive until we get our vaccines. Our pre-COVID lives are just around the corner. 

Find Excitement in Your Routine

Shake up your routine a bit. Just a little bit. For example, if you have an indoor workout routine in place, try incorporating a different type of exercise. Switch up your cardio. Walk or run in a different part of your neighborhood. Take another online class...is there something else you've always wanted to learn how to do? Do something different on a video chat, for example, play a trivia game (Geeks that Drink) or watch a movie together (in Mystery Science Theater 3000 style). I challenge you to find one new thing to try or do indoors during winter weather or while quarantining. Share that with me in the comments.

Find the Special in the Mundane

Create special moments or a new tradition for yourself. For example, take some time out every morning to enjoy your coffee while watching the sunrise from your living room. Celebrate something that isn’t normally celebration-worthy. For example, make a special cocktail to drink at Wednesday Happy Hour. Take a few minutes to meditate each day and tell yourself how wonderful you are. Start a gratitude journal and each day, write down just one thing that you are thankful for.

Find Adventure in Everyday Life

Take on an adventurous spirit. Look at things with fresh eyes by imagining how someone new to the experience would think or feel. Remember how you felt when you first did something to recreate those special feelings. Let go of your expectations and open yourself up to the unexpected. Imagine that good things are going to happen and feel that anticipation. Whatever you do, tell yourself, “I get to do this,” and see how that changes your perspective.


Stay Positive

Start the new year with positivity and hope. For years, Karl and I have started the new year with a cardio challenge in which we try to get an average of 30 minutes of exercise every day for the next four months. On January 1st, we also start “dry January” as a way to recover from the holiday drinking and eating. Two changes that always have surprising and positive effects--not only on the body but on the mind. Keeping active is a way to elevate your mood and practice self-love.


Happy New Year everyone! All the best in 2021! Please share with me how you are making life special for yourself.

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