Reflections on 2020

This time last year I was in Miami with my family, ringing in a new year. As I now look in the rearview with 2020 behind me I find myself reflecting on some key takeaways from a year unlike any other.
When the pandemic first hit in March I plummeted into a deep pit of despair and anxiety. I am naturally a very busy, social person and to have everything I had planned taken away so suddenly was very jarring for me. I also desperately missed my friends. Zooming with them was not enough.
As the months slowly wore on I began to recalibrate and discover within me an inner strength I didn’t know I had. Don’t get me wrong, I consider myself very tough but having to operate in this strange new world was especially difficult for me as it was/is for many of us. Slowly, slowly I began to find a new center and even found myself enjoying some things. Thanks to Doug and his endless optimism we were able to find moments of joy and fun. A small birthday at home for the girls became Hermione’s “best birthday ever.” A drive uptown to picnic in Central Park was a magical adventure. Long daily walks along the river in my beloved neighborhood gave me a sense of peace. A slower than usual summer upstate full of horses, farm market dinners and long days in the pool felt truly joyful. When fall came I was even able to enjoy having Hermione home for remote school. We took coffee breaks together and played Uno at lunch.
As I look forward to hopefully returning to a busier lifestyle in 2021 (because I truly do thrive most when busy) I won’t forget the lessons 2020 has taught me. I am now able to slow down easier, to not panic when there is nothing on the schedule, to enjoy every celebration even if it is just for our party of four.
Each year in place of resolutions I make a Less/More list for the coming year. Here’s my list for 2021: