What are you grateful for?

It’s easy to forget all the good in our lives during a pandemic

Living in a pandemic has made many of us nostalgic of all the things that we can no longer do. Things like big parties, going to concerts, and traveling have all been put on pause for the most part. Many of us millennials feel like we’re being deprived of our true twenties experience and that’s a fair sentiment. We want to be living up our youth. I’ve certainly felt this way, for example recently I wanted to take a quick trip to visit my friend in Nashville to treat myself but in good conscience could not do it.  

But with Thanksgiving just passing us it’s important for us to look back at 2020 with a different lens. Versus focusing on the pandemic, we can look into the good things that 2020 has brought. 

1. Health

Many of us are lucky to have not been directly affected by COVID-19. I personally feel so grateful that none of my immediate family has been affected by COVID; especially with my parents being older I’ve been so worried for them.  Others have not been so lucky and they have had to experience the loss of loved ones to COVID or have had to deal with debilitating COVID symptoms. 

2. Technology

I’m grateful to have the technology to be able to connect with family and friends virtually. Sure virtual hangouts and happy hours aren’t the same but having the means to easily face time loved ones is such a privilege. 

3. More quality time

Due to COVID I have been in a way forced to spend more time with the people I live with, which is my parents and siblings at the moment.  We have gotten to have many more family game nights and meals together which had become very scarce before COVID. Also with only being able to really facetime friends and family, I find myself having deeper and much more intentional conversations. 

These are just a few of the key things that I’ve found to be positives to 2020 but I’m sure there are many more that can be thought off. If anything this pandemic is truly a wake-up call to realize how much we have to be grateful for and to not take anyone or any day for granted, which often happens in the hustle and bustle of life. I live with my family so I’m around them 24/7 which can be A LOT, but honestly I’m lucky to have them so close and to have a support system.  

When we are busy living life we forget to appreciate everything right in front of us, so it’s important to take a breath and take inventory of all the things we should be grateful to have.