‘This year will be our year!’, I can hear my boyfriend say as we toast with a glass of champagne on a new year. At that moment I felt and believed it. But, now that we are already at the end of the first month of 2021, I don’t know if I still believe it.

Looking back on 2020

Last year wasn’t a fun one for most of us. Fortunately, I have been lucky enough to graduate without any study delays. I have a job and I don’t have to be afraid of losing it and ending up in a financial crisis. Working in child care, I don’t have to work from home, which allows me to leave my home more often. Up until now, none of my friends or family have been seriously ill. Of course I miss having a social life, but I’m also an introvert, so it probably doesn’t bother me as much as it does others. I can say that I haven’t had it as tough as others, and I am very aware and grateful for that. I truly feel for the people that haven’t had this luck the past year.

The start of the new year

Very understandably, most of us were totally done with 2020. I was as well. Still, I have to admit that it was quite an anticlimax to celebrate the new year, in my own living room with just my boyfriend and my two cats. It’s not like I would’ve gone to a huge party, but it would have been nice to invite some friends over. It would’ve been nice to share this moment with other people, to hug my loved ones and kiss them on the cheek. To wish them a happy new year. But unfortunately, this wasn’t possible. It might be the new year, but we’re all still in a lockdown. Not much seems to have changed.

Our year?

That’s why I started to doubt whether 2021 would indeed be our year. Yes, there is a vaccin and that is wonderful. But it is going to take months for everyone to get it. Next to that, there are the several different mutations of the virus. I definitely do not want to be a negative nancy, but I do want to stay realistic and don’t expect too much of this year. My boyfriend and I had plans to make a big trip this year. But, the lockdown isn’t over yet and the vaccination process has only just started. I wonder if this will be our year.

Hope for the future

Besides all this, I am trying to stay positive. I try to enjoy the small things; such as the snow from last week, the (online) contact I do have with my friends and family or the little walks that I take more often to get some fresh air. I try to live in the moment and to be grateful for everything I have. That’s what can make this year a hit or miss. And you know what? I think 2022 will definitely be our year!

Tips for 2021

I hope that you can also try to remain positive, besides everything that’s going on in the world right now. Try to find your little moments of happiness in the small things in your life. Take a walk and enjoy being outside, this is really good for both your mental and physical health! Keep in touch with your loved ones, even though it’s only via social media or the phone. If you’re looking for more tips and positivity, you can follow mine and NiceDay’s instagram account! You can also let me know how you feel about the subject.

Thanks for reading and see you next time!