We rang you in like any other year. We had our resolutions written down, we had our best outfits on, fireworks were going off; we had all the right ingredients to welcome you. We were eager, anxious, but we were ready for all the greatness the start of a new decade could bring. Sadly, none of us knew you had so much turmoil waiting for us all.

I think it is fair to say that you caused the world more heartache than we could have imagined.

We know tragedies occur in a variety of ways each year, but 2020, you have seemed to create more tragedy than ever. From the wildfires, flooding, terrorist attacks, explosions in cities, natural disasters, people being murdered for fighting for their rights, and of course the pandemic. No one thought you would turn out the way you have.

Although, I do think that we should be grateful for some realisations you gave us.

 Throughout all the tears, loss, and heartache: you have reminded us all of what is truly important. Don’t get me wrong, I feel like there could have been simpler ways to give us these learning points. Was it necessary to keep us locked in our homes, strip people of their jobs, stability, health, and take loved ones away from us? I’m not sure the answer should be yes, but sometimes it takes losing things for us to be grateful and appreciate what we have.

You made us find new ways to communicate, to learn, to socialise. You made us find new ways to support and comfort one another. You made us find new ways to keep ourselves entertained. There are so many things people didn’t know they were capable of and now, people are taking this time to learn new skills and work on becoming better versions of themselves.

I think the main thing that you have taught us, is that nothing is guaranteed, and time isn’t promised. So many of us took going to work for granted. As if our jobs owe us, as if it’s our birth right to work there. So many us took going out for granted. We took going on holiday for granted. (Let’s be honest, we take most things in our lives for granted). How many times have there been, that we procrastinate sending a message or making a phone call thinking ‘I’ll call them at the weekend’ or ‘I’ll do it tomorrow.’ As if communicating with people we supposedly love and care about are a burden… The truth is, tomorrow doesn’t come for everyone.

In life, we make time for the things we want to make time for. So, why not take more time to catch up with people? Why not take more time to call someone you haven’t seen for a while? How hard is it to let someone know that you were thinking of them? Even if you’ve had a falling out with someone, would you be okay leaving the dust to settle if you knew you had limited time left to resolve your issues?

Well, 2020, I guess what I’m saying in an odd way is thank you. Even though I don’t approve of your methods… Thank you for reminding us that we need to live every day to the fullest. Thank you for reminding us that we should hold the people we care about most and tell them we love them. Thank you for reminding us that we can always find ways to overcome the challenges we face. Thank you for reminding us that we are far more resilient than thought we could be. Thank you for reminding us that when it truly matters, we can come together. Thank you for reminding us that we can put our differences aside and come together as one.