As 2020 draws to a close and we think about what 2021 might bring us, a part of me wants to talk about endings and new beginnings. To dwell for a moment on the hardships of this year and the hope that lies before us in a new one, both collectively and individually.
All of this might be true but it neglects the challenges that are still in front of us as we continue to grapple with Covid-19, forced isolation, restrictions and the difficulties these mean for us all. We are holding hope of a better year alongside weariness, fatigue, anxiety, despair, loss and an endless list of feelings we each might be living with as result of a year like no other.
Such feelings might feel uncomfortable, painful even, but they are ok to be there. Society often teaches us how to get better or over the thing that hurts. But maybe, sometimes, it can be about learning to live with what is there. To be ok with not feeling ok. To notice what hurts or feels uncomfortable, be curious about it and welcome it as a part of our human experience.
The great paradox of this year for me is that while we are all collectively experiencing something together we are all having our own, very unique experience of it. It has become part of our societal story as well as our own personal story.
Here is a reading of the poem ‘Hokusai Says’ by Roger Keyes that chimed with my thoughts as I wrote this post. Take a look if you wish.
Thank you for reading and I wish you all the best as we embark together on another year.