WHAT A ROLLER COASTER OF A YEAR
It was just one thing, after the other, after the other, after the other, after the other… 2020 just had A LOT of events and media to take in.
I think we can all agree that 2020 has definitely been a difficult one for everyone mentally, physically, and emotionally. There have been a lot of people have been making jokes about blacking out between March and September, and I have to agree with them since those months have merged and just seem so blurry when looking back at them. Despite all the lows we’ve had this year, there have also been some great moments! For example, we have made it to the end of the year! I’m not sure if that’s a great moment for you, but it is for me since it shows just how resilient we are as humans.
When I look back on 2020, I’m not sure if I can say that I’ve grown a lot as a person, or at least as much as I would have liked. There have been extremely low lows but with that being said there have been some pretty cool high points. Just imagine the the Behemoth at Canada’s Wonderland, that’s how I’ve felt throughout 2020 (honestly that’s a great depiction of my mental health too). The only difference between the Behemoth and how this year is going for me is that I’m ending off at a high point :).
I thought I’d share some of the highs and lows that I’ve experienced this year:
Lows
- My mental health took a pretty big hit, especially between August and October. Just too much uncertainty was happening and I was starting to feel lost ’cause there was nothing happening and I didn’t know what to do and felt I was wasting away and started to question if I wanted to go back to school to learn graphic design (aka more debt) ~ 😦 … as you can see I was sort of spiraling
- Lost a loved one
- Got laid off from a part-time job I loved
- Stopped going to therapy after the psychotherapist I was with left the clinic
- Missed (and still miss) my friends A LOT
- I missed going to the gym and feeling the burn
- Constantly overwhelmed by the news and media
- Went through a breakup (it wasn’t so bad, but of course it sucked)
Highs
- Read and listened to more books
- Got more comfortable in my body and gained confidence in going to the gym
- Became more active on this blog and Instagram and got to be apart of such an amazing community! I’ve talked to such amazing and inspiring people online ❤
- Learned how to take apart and put together a bicycle
- Learned how to embroider
- Improved on my digital art skills (omg I’ve improved so much, I’m so glad I got an iPad)!
- Got a Graphic Design Specialization from CalArts through Coursera
- Finished the Google Analytics for Beginners course
- Made time for myself to play more video games and watch more movies and tv shows , and not view them as a waste of time
- Became a Reese Partner :O (LOL I’m an *influencer*)
- Got a clinical placement and was offered a job at the clinic (I’ll be starting in 2021 which is awesome!)
- Passed the MLPAO certification exam!
- FINALLY FINISHED the MLA/T PROGRAM (I was supposed to finish the program back in July… then everything changed when COVID-19 attacked)
- Officially an MLPAO certified Medical Laboratory Assistant Technician!!!!!
- Learned how to appreciate and be grateful for the little things in life
- Made it to the end of the year!
Now that I’ve listed the highs that I’ve been through, I realize that’s I’ve done a lot this year… and I’m really proud of myself. That’s a pretty cool list of things that have happened, and I’ve actually learn A LOT, especially during my free time. It’s so easy to see the negatives (I’m still working on that), I’m incredibly lucky given what many people have faced this year.
It’s important for me to note that I’m incredibly lucky for the year and the life I have. While it’s fantastic to celebrate everyone’s accomplishments, many have faced very very difficult moments this year and may still be facing these difficult moments still. Just remember to be respectful to those around you as you may not know what they are and have been going through the past year.
It’s okay if all you did this year was to focus on surviving everyday. It’s okay if you are not thriving during this global pandemic. It’s okay if your plan for 2021 is just to survive, that’s okay.
Your productivity does not define your worth.
Goals for 2021
I don’t have too many goals for 2021. I’m still questioning things.
Professional Goals
As I mentioned above, I’ve applied to an MLS program and tbh I’m not sure if I want to go through with it. We’ll just have to wait and see!
I’m probably going to look for a new job too to broaden my experience as an MLA/T! So constant resume and cover letter are a thing for next year.
I’m probably going to try learning more things and develop my skills in illustration and graphic design. I really enjoy those fields and I want to be able to create more graphics and drawings in the new year!
Personal Goals
- Post and create more for this blog
My goal for this year is to post once per month. If I post more than once then that’s even better! - Take more pictures.
I want to take more pictures of everything, especially with my camera that I don’t use often. Just pictures for myself to remember moments in my life 🙂 - Focus more on my mental health
The last time I went to therapy was probably back in February. I will go back to therapy - Maintain a workout schedule
What did you expect? Of course, there is going to be something about my health! Once quarantine hit I rarely found myself working out since I had gotten so used to working out at the gym (I really miss the gym, I used to go at least 3 times a week from Sept. 2019 to March 2020 so it was hard when the gyms closed 😦 ). I’ve slowly been doing some yoga in the mornings before heading of the placement so I will be implementing more of a workout or change between working out and yoga in the mornings.
Whether you’re into goal setting or not, sometimes it can be really nice to review and reflect on the year to see as we tend to overlook the little positive things that have happened in our life! It’s been a rollercoaster of a year so don’t be too hard on yourself!
We made it to the end of the year and to the end of this blog post!
Thanks so much for reading and following me on this journey to becoming an MLA/T! Lemme know what your 2021 goals are and/or some of the positives that have happened for you in 2020 down in the comments!
Noemi’s Corner 