The year 2020 will go down in history as a period of uncertainty, loss and tension. The pandemic, caused by Covid-19, has prompted security measures, from the mildest, such as social isolation and the use of a mask, to the most radical, such as quarantine and lockdown.
Between the fatigue of essential employees, especially health professionals, and the difficulty of many to adapt to the new norms, the imminent conclusion of 2020 is loaded with a shared feeling of fatigue and insecurity. The end of the year, which is usually full of celebrations and agglomerations, will have to be used in an alternative way, in order to preserve everyone's health. But we can!
Gathering with family and friends via video calls or phone calls is not ideal for many people, who prefer direct contact, the warmth of a hug, and silent eye-to-eye communication. However, it is important to be grateful for having access to these resources, as they are not guaranteed for everyone – indeed, for most.
Just think of all the students who had tremendous difficulties in continuing their studies this year, because they did not have access to the internet, electronic devices and a decent structure to study at home. So let's take advantage of what we have and make the best use of it.
A lot of people lost loved ones, jobs and stability in 2020. The year was, without a doubt, very difficult for the whole world. Because of this, several epiphanies affected a large part of the population, who understood in a forceful way the value of health and life.
Looks like something good and productive, isn't it? It is a historic moment for the present generation, which is reevaluating its values, priorities and expectations. It is from this reflection that we can think about how to face the year 2021.
In view of all this, we need to better manage our expectations for the year to come and think of resolutions that are in line with the possibilities of the current situation. At the same time, we cannot forget that being realistic does not exclude having hope, much less optimism. We need to pay attention to maintaining our physical, mental and emotional well-being, always seeking to maintain perspective and look to the future with a positive attitude.
What resolutions, then, to make for 2021? Which desires fit into the range of predictable possibilities that reflect a significant improvement in the population's quality of life? The following list can serve as inspiration for those who are wondering how to plan the new year, creating new goals with a hopeful bias:
1. Take better care of health – the pandemic left the fragility of health very latent, even in those who did not have previous conditions. In 2021, you can take more responsibility for the state of your body and mind, paying more attention to your body's signals and acquiring better habits. Life is fleeting, but we can try to prolong it with simple changes in routine.
2. Prioritize yourself – it's easy to lose sight of your own needs, amid the demands of work, study and personal relationships. This is compounded by social media, which keeps us alert all the time, with incessant notifications. Sometimes it's hard to take time for yourself and learn to enjoy your own company. For the next year, try to set aside a moment a day just for yourself, whether it's meditating, watching a series, performing skincare rituals, reading, or even taking a nap. If there's anything social isolation has taught, it's that we need to know how to maintain balance and sanity, even when we're accompanied only by our own thoughts.
3. Contact family more – distancing has exposed how vulnerable relationships can be after a long period of no contact. A simple message a week, asking about the news of the last few days, can make a big difference. Now it's time to appreciate the empty promises we sometimes make to loved ones that we will visit them when we have time. Don't wait for ideal circumstances to call someone, no matter how brief the conversation.
4. Read more – this is a resolution that many people make, regardless of the pandemic. It's one of those goals that are still perfectly possible, because they require a little time a day, a good book, and concentration. Reading is a great habit, as it expands the reader's repertoire in many ways. Start with lighter books with thought-provoking narratives, and try to read one chapter a day or 15 minutes a day. It makes a difference in your vocabulary, your rhetoric, your ability to organize your thoughts, and your cultural references.
5. Take a course – more and more educators have adapted to virtual platforms, and online courses are getting more sophisticated and well-made. Some of them offer a diploma and certificate, which can enhance your CV. Furthermore, online courses offer more flexibility for those who wanted to study, but had no way of traveling to a certain place to do so.
6. Challenge of cinema – for cinephiles on duty, who want to know more about the seventh art, a challenge to see 100 films in a year can be a revealing experience. Use this challenge to get out of the sameness, like doing themed months. For example: in a month, watch only Spanish films or only films from the 1950s. With many museums, theaters and cinemas still closed to avoid crowds, watching movies at home is a viable option to still maintain the necessary contact with the culture. Who knows, maybe you'll find a pearl of Polish cinema or be enchanted by a great old classic that you haven't seen before?
You can adopt these goals or just use them as a guide to create your own. These are seemingly simple things, but they can make a huge difference in everyday life. They are also plans that can persevere and come to fruition, even if current security measures still last through most of 2021 (but we are still rooting for the vaccine!).
What we cannot forget is that social distancing, the use of masks and, if necessary, the quarantine are rules that explain how we need to think about something bigger than ourselves and our wills, when it comes to a public health issue.
However, our dreams don't have to go down the drain. It is essential to have versatility and accept that everything has its time.
If a goal is not possible now, such as a big trip, watching an idol show or even getting the dream job, that doesn't mean it won't be possible at another time. What you can do is dedicate yourself to preparing the ground for future opportunities, walking a path that prepares and strengthens you for when those chances finally arrive.
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The year 2021 has the capacity to be better and more prosperous than 2020, because we already have a more sensitive and sharp notion of how to adapt to the sudden changes caused by the pandemic. This knowledge needs to be harnessed so that New Year's resolutions inspire good expectations in those who make them.
Goals that are within our reach are as indispensable as our most ambitious dreams – with each small victory, we nourish our self-esteem and our determination more. This, consequently, makes us even better able to achieve our most extraordinary desires, which are often hidden behind great challenges, as rewards after an admirable overcoming.
