Here I am sharing my end of the year reflection from 2020. I always like to see how far I’ve come to see what the next year can bring. We’ve heard the same phrase multiple times this year; “This happened because it’s 2020?”. Sometimes when things are hard, we wish for it to hurry up and go away; however, one can miss each blessing in between. This year has thrown many curve balls no one was prepared for. I remember when our biggest concern of 2020 was if Shakira and JLo were too risqué for the half time show. If only we could go back to when that situation was our biggest concern.
I remember in fall 2019, telling my teammates Steven and I had decided it was time for me to resign from teaching. I told them I was leaving the education field unless something crazy happens with the economy. You can imagine all of the emotions flowing when we found out the nation would be going on lockdown in March.
Reflecting on the Sadness
One year ago today (12/26), I was sitting in the doctors office with NG and I got an unexpected phone call. My sister was calling to tell me my step-brother lost his battle with mental illness and ended his life. I didn’t really share this with many people outside of my circle. There isn’t a book or tutorial on how to handle a situation like this. It is something you never forget. Seeing your loved ones in pain and sorrow from something you cannot explain was one of the hardest things to witness.
In March, our town and Nashville was hit with a major tornado. Many homes were destroyed, lives taken, and this would be the beginning of small businesses drowning in 2020. We were able to take items to a subdivision that was destroyed and show NG how truly lucky we were. The tornado destroyed a middle school walking distance away from our home. Very surreal moment.
In April, we received a phone call to inform us a close family friend had ended their life. This was right after lock down, when no one knew what was going on, how long quarantine was going to last, and when no one was allowed in the hospitals due to Covid policy.
Through all of the sadness, lockdown was happening. I had to learn how to stay at home with my littles, check on my students, homeschool my kindergartner, and keep our mental health in check. This is when parents realized “Oh…my kid isn’t the best in the classroom like I thought they were” (lol). Parents really had to step up and take charge of their children’s education which is something NO ONE (no moms let’s be honest here) were prepped for.
Reflecting on the Positives
Even though 2020 brought challenges our way, the Lord provided. Steven continued to work his small business and I stayed at home with our littles, working to earn my real estate license, taking blogging courses, and getting ready mentally to transition into my new career. Each week Steven and I went back and forth if I should leave education and continue with our plan. I told him this in when we need to have faith and God will provide.
Before all of this craziness began in March, Steven and I were going through the motions of marriage. Living together, taking care of two little people, and would pray for alone time. While under lockdown we were able to play games as a family, have at home date nights when the kiddos went to bed, and cook at home more than we ever had before. Cooking at home may sound so silly to be excited about, but we weren’t able to do that before we were forced to. It gave us time to eat together as a family without all the bustle and start that small tradition with our kiddos.
I was also able to be a full time mom to my kids (some events more positive than others). It was something our family needed at that moment.
In March we also found out my two year old qualified for speech and developmental therapy services, all that would be put to a halt due to COVID policies. Fortunately we were able to start services in person this summer and Graham has made so many gains. We are also able to get his developmental services virtually. It has been really good for Graham to have the one on one time with me. This year with me being forced to work from home I was also able to be their for my babies, which is something we didn’t realize our family needed.
During quarantine time I was able to focus on my blog and give it the full attention it needed for me to go into full time mode in May. I began making a consistent income with the help of my coach Megan Mcqueen and can confidently say I am a full time blogger. Stay tuned for how I transitioned from working as a teacher to blogging/real estate. 😉
In April, I finished my real estate courses. With COVID, testing centers had been closed throughout the spring. I had to take my test two hours away from Nashville (twice). That was really fun :)…Worked my booty off to pass that test and told Steven I was never going to school ever again, so I better like this career. 🙂 In August I started working with The Ashton Team! Next week I will close on my fourth home.
Reflecting on What I Have Learned
- Even though we were going through times of sorrow, there were many things to be grateful for. We were able to pay our bills, we have all been healthy this year, and we were able to grow closer together as a family. I was able to focus on my dream, and am working to make it bigger and better.
- It is important now more than ever to check on your people. No matter how annoying you feel like you’re being or you think a person is okay, check on them. Let them know you love them and that they do matter.
- Slow down and enjoy the process. There were some moments this year where I wanted to something to end so quickly to move on to the next thing. Instead we should take opportunities to enjoy the process and look at how far we’ve come from the beginning. If we can’t take a moment how will we enjoy the finished product?
What is in Store for 2021?
I have worked on my goals for 2021 and I am excited to share them with you here. I encourage you to sit down and reflect on everything that has happened this year. Is there anything you want to improve, or anything you’re striving to do? Write it down!
Until we meet again,
Amanda
