Greatest Challenges and Greatest Joys of 2020

2020 is almost over. YAY! It’s been… a time. Between the pandemic and the election and the pandemic and family health troubles and the pandemic and my daughter starting outpatient therapy and this f***ing pandemic!!

So, as is common this time of year, I’m looking back at the joys and challenges of 2020. Yes, there were a lot of challenges but there was a lot of good as well. They’re in no order because my memory is crap and I’m not that organized.

Joy: Our family grew! My sister had her second child in February. And, while we haven’t been able to see her much up close, my sister always shares pictures and videos. I can’t wait for when all 3 kids can play together.

Challenge: The Pandemic. Just, everything related to it. Fear of either becoming ill or being asymptomatic and passing it to a family member who will become ill. Increased stress at work because we’re not allowing visitors so phones are ringing off the hooks with calls from families of residents.

Joy: My Squirt continues to thrive. She’s a high energy toddler who loves music and cuddling with her toy kitty cat. Her favorite movie is Despicable Me.

Challenge: Outpatient therapy twice a week. It’s a lot of driving and adjusting of routines and the therapists wear Squirt out. Many times she will pass out in the car.

Joy: Therapy is working! She’s standing on her own more and more. Once she’s walking on her own, she can graduate from physical therapy and only will have occupational to work on fine motor skills. Remains to be seen if she’ll need speech. She can say “hiya” and “bye.”

Challenge: Anxiety through the roof. Pandemic life and dealing with a toddler has impacted my mental health. I’m pretty sure I probably had PPD last year and was in supreme denial about it so that it’s just ballooned. I struggle to handle high stress situations and I’ve lashed out at Hubby a couple times only to feel even more like crap afterward.

Joy: It’s being treated. Well… not yet. I have an appointment in January with a therapist. I’m not opposed to medication if needed but I want to start with talking to someone and go from there.

Challenge: The Election- The divisiveness of this election has caused me to purge my social media and be more selective of who I talk to. It’s easier than getting into an argument.

Joy: Moving on in my series! I outlined book 4!

Challenge: Getting to book 4 involved a complete overhaul of my series thus far. And I’m still not happy with book 3 and some of 4. We’ll see what happens as I continue to work on it in the coming year.

So, that’s some of the things that has happened this year from hell. The countdown is on! When you hit rock bottom, the only direction to go is up, right?

Have a safe holiday season.