In late February I flew to Atlanta for a week-long training. The course was intensive so I was unplugged from the outside world. Only after I left did I begin to hear of the virus making its way much closer to home. At the end of the week everyone in the class hiked to the top of Stone Mountain (yes, that one).
From the Album: 2020
One of the most useful lessons I learned on my year off was to live presently; no matter what is going on, to be mindful of what I am feeling and to listen to what those feelings are telling me. That skill was valuable throughout 2020 as I had to deal with lockdown and the nonstop stream of unfortunate news. The entire year felt like my anxiety and depression Super Bowl. I’ve been learning how to manage, learning how to sit with my feelings, learning how to be alone and okay. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t difficult. Just look at what I let happen to my facial hair. But I took time to enjoy the small things and even learned some new things. And hopefully 2021 will bring slivers of hope and progress.
