I had a discussion recently with a friend who was talking about silver linings for this crazy year. I thought it would be a good exercise for people. So the idea is to embrace the silver linings of the downside of something this year.
For her it was getting to spend so much time with her adult kids (who moved back home for most of the pandemic).
I am thinking of my most recent negative event, my car was totaled in an accident on Saturday. The silver lining is getting a new car (we had been considering replacing the current one).
We’ve been living in 2 very distant cities as a result of work. DH firm now allows, even encourages remote, so it has allowed us to be together more than apart.
Taking the time to “smell the roses” with a life that has slowed down tremendously. With kids still living at home, we were always on the go, to games and activities. Weekend trips to see S19 play for his college team. As an introvert, I appreciate the downtime and having extra time to recharge without feeling guilty.
We have used that free time to explore lots of local places to walk, hike and bike where we can fully appreciate the beautiful area where we live.
Lots and lots of time for reading, a guilty pleasure of mine.
Weekly Zoom calls with friends have allowed us to get to know them better. It turns out we are very closely aligned on politics and life priorities, so our discussions have helped us weather a tough year.
Silver lining? Tough. I’m very good at finding spin, some positive, clinging to that. But this has been tough. All my in-person contacts cut off except a couple of family members.
Ok. The fact that D1’s (small) wedding in Nov went off without a hitch, the weather was unseasonably warm, guests followed safety precautions and no one got covid.
Second. The recent 12" or more of snow lets me blame nature for the isolation, have respite from the reason being covid.
Sorry for the gripe, but I am usually so very good at finding the small positives and, over time, it is actually exhausting to put forth that strength.
Silver lining. My kids learned that a global pandemic will teach you resilience whether you like it or not. This “gift” will be with them their whole lives. They really never had a rough patch before this crisis.
More silver linings: walks on the beach, a huge and productive garden. Buying less stuff and not missing it. Realizing that I can buy almost EVERYTHING locally and was just using Amazon because I got lazy. No more. All local is great.
It’s been a lot tougher for me to keep focusing on the positives since my uncle died. I see people complaining about or doing unsafe things (like not wearing masks) and want to scream at them. I haven’t yet, and don’t expect to, but I know it bothers me a lot more than it used to.
I won’t be able to help myself if someone tells me again IRL, “Don’t worry. It’s only the older people who die.” My uncle wasn’t on death’s door.
I’m reading this thread to try to refocus on the positives. The recent snow was/is very pretty.
Having my younger brother who was working in Amsterdam “stuck” here. First in my house for 6 months and then in a nearby apartment. Enjoyed getting to spend time with him and he has been godsend with issues that came up wiTh moving our uncle and getting his house on the market during a pandemIc.
Also I have been wanting to downsize but big house has been a blessing with brother and grad school daUghter Here for part of year.
Our S helped us declutter our house—much nicer now. Am also happy they’re mostly sheltering with us instead of 3-5000 miles away. This is the longest we’ve all been together in over a decade. Also spending more time with my mom and planting some edibles that are flourishing.
I planned to get a job this past spring, but COVID changed that. I have had the opportunity to really destress for the first time in maybe forever. I found that I can live happily with less than I thought I could, and I am okay with just “being” until I can figure out what my next act will be.
I have started needlepointing again. I have completed 17 small projects, with 6 back from the finishers.
I have a friend who posts 3 good things that have happened every day. It may be as simple as a phone call with a friend or a pretty sunset. This is the year is the year to be grateful for the small things.
I am Truly enjoying not going into the office everyday. I like working remotely. (Many negatives with this, but they are not to be mentioned here.)
My puppy came to me late February. Now We can spend lots of time together, even when I’m working. I rarely walked around my neighborhood, and now that I do, I’ve met many people. I lost the last 8 or so pounds, not eating out.
I started walking 3 miles a day with my neighbors. We’ve all always been friendly but we ended up with a large rotating group so I got to know so many of them so much better. It was my one bright spot in my otherwise long, boring days of quarantine. Also got me away from my kids for an hour a day. Love my kids, but they do not quarantine well together.
H has not worked much this year, so he has had no excuse for not being more active. He now has a regular walking routine and we have even done some pretty decent hikes together.
S has been here (from London) since early November. He leaves on Christmas Day, but it has been a real gift to have him here and to be able to spend this time together.
Because travel plans were all cancelled this is the first year I can remember when I was able to use PTO for random days off to get stuff done or even to just relax. This was another gift.