10 Things To Be Grateful About 2020

As with all things, 2020 had its advantages amidst its so many obvious downsides. The year unexpectedly turned out to be a blessing in disguise for so many. For some others, however, the reverse may be the case. That’s just life, somethings things won’t always go our way and in such times it’s very easy to forget the simple things to be grateful for.

Practicing gratitude can be rewarding to our mental well-being, relationships, and even our health. This also comes with taking a different perspective when looking at your present situation no matter how challenging it is and you will find something to be grateful for.

In the spirit of gratitude, we made a list of things to be grateful for about the year 2020.

#1. Life

Life is a gift from God, an unlimited series of opportunities to find the good in ourselves and others. There is good in everything if we are willing to see it.

Sign Up For Success Newsletter

Keep up! Get the latest stories, tools, and resources delivered straight to your inbox.

Leave this field empty if you're human:

Alan Cohen

2020 has got to be one year that taught us to see life for what it is – a gift and to appreciate it dearly. So much happened that we all had to unite to protect what is most important to us – our lives. One big lesson drawn from 2020 should be that life in itself is not assured and our existence is a blessing. Therefore, we ought to maximize it, be grateful for the opportunity, and make the most we can out of it.

#2. Technology

In the midst of a pandemic and global lockdown, technology made life’s continuity possible.

Can you close your eyes for a few seconds and imagine what the world would have been like in 2020 without technology? How much darkness, unawareness, inadequate communication, and even ignorance about how to handle the entire situation? Thanks to the level of exposure and connectivity technology afford us, the lockdown was somewhat bearable.

The availability of social media apps like Twitter, Tik Tok, Instagram, etc served so much entertainment and updated us on trends. Virtual platforms like Zoom, Skype, Google Classroom, etc, provided a possibility to connect with others at work and home.

Frankly speaking, the benefits of technology and its role in 2020 cannot be overstated. Hence, we should be grateful for it. As we adjust to the new systemic norms, technology proves to be one big part of our existence and future.

#3. Human Relationships

Undoubtedly, human relationships are the primary framework of our lives. No man is an island, hence, we cannot exist without coexisting. 2020 inarguably proved this to be true. Unfortunately, due to our very busy schedule, most of us didn’t find the time to nurture relationships, even the ones so essential like family and loved ones with whom we cohabit.

The lockdown, however, gave us enough time to rebuild our relationships, connect with old friendships and new friendships. Apparently, we were forced to reconcile with our innate desire for the association to provide us the feeling of closure and security.

#4. Amenities and Certain Priviledges

2020 is about the most financially challenging year in recent history. many people lost their source of livelihood, others lost streams of income, and families even lost breadwinners. In the midst of such unfavorable conditions, being able to afford life’s basic amenities is a great deal to be grateful for after 2020.

#5. Time For Reflection

If there is one thing 2020 did for us, it would be the luxury of time it afforded us for sober reflection. Most of us got to question the true purpose of our existence. Some of us got to reconcile with old dreams or goals that we may have lost touch with due to an overscheduled lifestyle.

We got to look so many insecurities dead in the eye, we got to deal with personal issues we’ve conveniently ignored either due to lack of courage to face them or because the scars haven’t healed.

Generally, we all had to reflect on life and face our demons. Some of us were able to fight the battles and win, the rest of us may still be in the process. Whatever the case may be for you, we believe it is important to be grateful for such times that lets us face life’s battles, win, and be able to move on to the next challenges.

#6. The Little Things That Matter

Somehow, the different occurrences in 2020 gave us a change in perspective. We got to appreciate the little things that actually matter. We got to reconnect with our innate beauty, hence, started seeing the beauty in things such as nature, wholesome smiles, little giggles, reassuring companionships, the beauty in serenity, personal time, intimacy with one’s soul, self-discovery, etc.

Most of us may have overhauled ourselves with so much superficiality, we had begun to feel empty. 2020 however as a year, gave such a paradigm shift, we have been able to understand the things that truly matter.

Also Read : Five Proven Ways To Fuel Your Productivity

#7. Ability to Improve One’s Self

After setting our priorities right, we soon figured that there is so much more that there can be to our lives, hence the need for self-development. Some of us took courses, some of us finally hit the gym, we started that business, we started that relationship, we started working on that toxic trait we possess. Basically, we began to make choices that contributed to improving ourselves as individuals.

“The universe, not the sky, is the limit.”

― Matshona Dhliwayo

#8. Possibilities

Again, in 2020 we got to see that literally anything we wanted is possible. it only depends on how much work we were willing to dedicate to its fruition. This is one right attitude to have toward life as it transforms dreams and desires into reality. Going forward, optimism and dedication should be our drive, and really, the sky can only be our starting point.

#9. Enhancing Capacity

For some of us, 2020 was a year full of battles. Personal, relational, spiritual, psychological, financial, etc. We got to deal with so much that has, in turn, improve our capacity. We’ve become stronger, resilient, bolder, more daring, we have literally come out as survivors. And we say that it is that same capacity advancement that has set us in the right tone for life’s new challenges.

#10. New Beginnings

Today we are in a new year. Merely seeing past 2020 is more than enough reason to be grateful. We believe 2021 brings with it a refreshing hint of hope. The world may not go back to what we’ve been used to, a new definition of normalcy may emerge, we may have to learn and unlearn things. But the opportunity to start again is worth being grateful for even in the midst of uncertainties.

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

– Melody Beattie

Final Thoughts

It is therefore most pertinent to evaluate our life’s journey, be grateful for things that we are blessed with, learn from things we should, and look forward to things that are yet to come.

What are you grateful for about the past year?