Happy New Year! Or Not?

This year there has not been many “New Year,  New Me” posts or memes about 2021 circulating social media. 2020 has definitely humbled us. The past few years we’ve had the popular meme of the young lady walking up the steps of positivity into the new year, leaving behind all negativity. If I were skilled in art, I would recreate that meme. But my version would be sister girl sitting on the steps counting her blessings while cautiously looking towards the future. In approaching 2021 many people are apprehensive about what the new year will bring. So many unfinished goals, disappointment and death greeted us in 2020. The plans we had were detoured or placed on lay-away, and not due to any fault of our own.

 2020 instead of being the start of a new decade and a new bucket list, will instead go down in infamy as the year Kobe died, COVID-19, and possibly, never really happened ,depends on who you ask, election fraud. The year many families struggled financially and emotionally. 2020 will be remembered as the year of raw emotions, divisiveness, hatred, and an in your face call to acknowledge that Black Lives Matter. 

2020 will be the year that children became orphans, wives became widows, and husbands became pall bearers carrying the bodies of their wives. Eviction at an all time high, unemployment, virtual schooling, city wide lock downs, mandatory work from home, bankruptcies, foreclosures, weight gain, weight loss, mental health being a priority, but many ended up losing their sanity due to loneliness and hopelessness. 

I wholeheartedly understand if you’re hesitant about throwing caution to the wind and letting loose with the Grey Goose ( only because it rhymes), or Champagne, as we slowly move forward to the end of the year. Many dreams were deferred in 2020 so we have all right to not be in a celebratory mood. Many are opting to stay safe in the confines of their own home while reflecting on the year that fed our fears, taught us patience, and tested our limits, while providing rest for those who would otherwise not have the opportunity to take a break.

Personally there’ll be no “ new year, new me” chants from me ( I’ve never really said that), cause I have yet to use all the newness that I had entering 2020, so adding on more newness just wouldn’t make sense. 

America is entering the year 2021 with blood on its streets, tears, frustration and anger. But there’s a glimmer of hope. A new President and Vice President elect and a vaccine for COVID-19 will be entering 2021 with us, giving us a sense of hope that we’ll return to some form of normalcy. A normalcy I’ve become accustomed to; closeted racism, kids actually attending school, and happy hours without masks. Below I’ve added five tips to entering 2021 in a cautious but optimistic mood. 

Here are five tips to enter 2021 cautiously optimistic

1. Set realistic goals for 2021. Consider the climate of the environment we currently live in. Setting a goal to visit Greece and all the Greek Islands and Amsterdam may not be safe or realistic at this time.
2. Reflect on the year 2020 and appreciate the small wins. Even though you were unable to attend your graduation or the graduation of a loved one, that  doesn’t negate the fact that you’re a graduate. You did it! Congratulations. Your wedding had to be downsized or held via ZOOM, but you’re married and still in love…right? Congratulations. By spending time with your significant other because COVID had you in a love lockdown,you realized as the months in quarantine droned on that there is no love and you’re just in a lock down. You use the “ it’s not you, it’s me” get out of a relationship card and now you’re free, single and ready to socially distance mingle. You’re also happier. 
3. If there are goals you planned on achieving in 2020 and COVID made you detour; reassess. Can those goals be fulfilled in the coming year? If yes, do it. If no, create new goals. 
4. Breathe. No one knew 2020 was going to be a shit show, but it was, and you survived.  Your resilience will carry you through the upcoming new year. It’s really just a continuation of the old year if you think about it. 
5. You’re alive. Many people who started 2020 were not fortunate enough to finish it. You did. You’ve completed a challenge you didn’t sign up for. Gratitude is a must!

As you raise your glass this New Year’s Eve heralding in the new year, whether it be with family or friends…remember to give thanks, be optimistic, wear your mask, and stay 6 ft apart. 

Happy New Year…or not. 

If you are feeling depressed during this Holiday season, please reach out to a Mental Health professional in your area for assistance or SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 . It is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.

For more on this blog post, listen to my podcast: Dr. Tamaru Speaks, available on all podcast outlets. Or click the link below.

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/42504239