Unexpected gifts of the outgoing year

The past year has been a difficult one for many. Someone has lost their job, someone cannot visit friends or relatives living abroad. Extroverts lack communication with the outside world, and anxious, sensitive people have a lot of new things to worry about.

Regardless, Christmas is coming. And we try to believe that next year will give us more joyful moments. When we feel sad, we remind ourselves that change is inevitable, and the current epidemic, like the previous ones, will end sooner or later.

What can we be thankful for in the past year?

1. We have learned to enjoy the present

Many were shocked by the global changes associated with the coronavirus epidemic. We had to say goodbye to the illusion that we can control the outside world: sometimes we just need to be patient and survive what happens. And preferably with the least damage to yourself.

The outgoing year gave us the opportunity to reconsider our priorities, to test our own values. We were deprived of the opportunity to travel, but many managed to see the beauty in a seemingly familiar environment. We could not leave our apartments, but many managed to finally spend more time with their children.

Everything flows, everything changes: autumn always comes after summer, and after winter we enjoy gentle spring. And since we don’t like the cold, we can just wait until the blizzard season ends. But if in winter you dream of summer, and in summer you yearn for winter, not a single season will bring true joy.

Hopes for the future can spoil the present if we become too fond of fantasy. The outgoing year gave many people the ability to enjoy the present without looking at the pie in the sky.

2. We realized that we are not alone

The outgoing year gave us a sense of community. We fully felt that our planet is a single whole, and the fight against the problem can unite those who live on different parts of the globe.

We have learned not to refuse communication even in conditions of self-isolation. Long phone calls with relatives and friends, zoom parties, flash mobs… Let’s remember the amazing success of the Izoizolyatsiya group on Facebook: social media users created their own interpretations of masterpieces of world art using improvised means. We rallied in the face of a common misfortune, and at the same time found new friends when, it would seem, the opportunity to do this was very limited.

We realized that even if you have to be physically isolated, in no case should it become the cause of emotional isolation. Modern technologies have helped us not to lose contact with others. We know for sure that even if bars and restaurants are closed on New Year’s Eve, we can arrange gatherings in any of the messengers with video communication capabilities.

How to say goodbye to the outgoing year?

This year, more than ever, it is important to observe traditions and rituals. New Year’s Eve chores will help you plunge into pleasant experiences: watch old comedies, cut salad Olivier. Decorate your home with garlands, buy or build a Christmas tree, build a snowman.

Happy people have stronger immunity. Comfort, warmth and intimacy are what you should strive for during the holidays, despite external circumstances. The world will definitely become a better place if each of us sincerely cares about at least one person, even if that person is himself.

We did not give up this year, despite external circumstances. We have learned a lot and become stronger. Of course, you can congratulate yourself on this!