Whew! Where do you start with a recap of 2020? In a year filled with uncertainty like we’ve never known before, this list could derail before it ever even starts.
Despite all the pleas to just skip 2020 and wake up in 2021, the year wasn’t all bad. In fact, there were some huge positives, milestones and things to be happy about as we prepare to wind down this crazy year once and for all.
So, without further ado, here is 2020: a year in review.
SpaceX takes flight
In May of 2020, SpaceX launched the very first-ever human flight in a commercial spacecraft. And if that feat wasn’t monumental enough, it also marked the first time an American-made vessel launched humans from U.S. soil in nearly a decade. But, what really made this voyage historic, was the success of the mission – opening up new doors to human spaceflight capabilities for a new era of commercial space exploration. On top of it all, the entire broadcast was documented and live streamed so everyone in quarantine could feel like part of the mission. Pretty dang cool.
What do you think? Could you hack it in space like an astronaut if the opportunity was out there?
Healthcare love
Clinicians everywhere have long deserved praise for the dedication to their craft and patients. Unfortunately, it became a common stance long ago when we started taking their passion for granted. If COVID-19 taught us anything, it’s that all the doctors, nurses and the rest of world’s front line workers (delivery drivers, restaurants, etc.) deserve all the praise in the world for keeping our world functioning. So, in case you haven’t already, tell someone thank you for all they do!
A breath of fresh air
We live in a digital world. A world where we work and play indoors, most of the time. 2020 gave us a moment to hit the reset button and go outside for some activity – more hikes, drive-in movies, even just walks around the block – you name it. As a result, people got healthier and the air got cleaner. Never underestimate the power of a little sunshine.
A family-focused mentality
As a child who grew up with both of his parents working, it could be tough to fit that quality time into the picture – business trips and missing people at the nightly dinner table. This year put the focus back on family as working from home allowed more quality time with loved ones. Have you watched some of social media’s best Family Olympics games? They’re amazing. But family time didn’t just stop with immediate family, either. People caught the nostalgia bug hard as they looked to relive and share past family memories – now easier and more convenient than ever thanks to professional digitizing services.
And let’s not forget, some families even added new members to their families with adoptions of certain cuddly four-legged friends. When’s a better time to potty train a new adorable puppy than 2020?
An introspective look at society
2020 taught us a lot of things – patience, humility, appreciation, self-care. A lot. It also, and maybe more importantly than all of those other things, taught us to picture ourselves in another’s shoes. An cultural introspective of inclusion that will hopefully maintain as we continue to progress as people, as a society.
Think local
This year taught us to think a little more before we buy. And that bit of extra contemplation has paid dividends for local businesses that have been hurt during this trying time. Because let’s face it, our local businesses – restaurants, breweries, retail shops, movie theaters and more – need our help now more than ever. So, let’s continue to have that local first mentality into 2021.
A Folklore surprise
Whether you’re a Swifty or not, there’s no denying the impact that Taylor Swift has made on pop music over the last 10 years … which is why she was named artist of the decade last year. And not even a full year after her major release of Lover, she surprised the quarantined music world with another full-length album – a folk album. It was everything our cabin fever induced selves needed to soothe our souls, Swift fan or not.
In fact, music in general during 2020 was a huge uplift to our spirits, giving us an emotional outlet and source of freedom with live performance streams, much-needed new album releases, even in-person (well, in-car at least), drive-in movie performances.
Rocked the vote
It doesn’t matter who people voted for, what matters is that people turned up to vote in record numbers this election. Thanks to the more widespread adoption of mail-in ballots as well as traditional in-person voting, more Americans voted in 2020 than in any other with nearly 70 percent of the voting-eligible population casting a ballot.
2020 may have had its fair share of downs but the ups helped us get through it all together. Let’s see what 2021 has in store!
