What 2020 was to Me: A Year-in-Review

Finally, 2020 is over. The year was tiring, to say the least — it’s amazing how global the sense of pain was. I pray that those who have been hurting will find healing and hope in 2021, and that those who have found hope will not lose it when difficult times arrive. 

2020 was…a lot. I found loads of health problems, difficult times and situations, and shared the mountains of negative experiences that come along with a global pandemic. I won’t lie and say that everything was easy and magically turned out well. The journey has been rough and bumpy, and I still haven’t arrived at my destination. 

“Journey” is a good word to describe the past year. It’s a rough journey, but a journey nonetheless. 

So, what’s 2020 to me? It’s a bundle of good things and bad things. A rocky stairwell. 

MY FAVOURITE MEMORIES

January

I spent the month of January in Dubai, my home city. It was such a wonderful time. 

Watching Knives Out and other Memories with my Friend Josh 

I spent a large amount of that month with Josh, a close friend of mine. One night, at about 8 pm, I decided to call him up and ask him if he wanted to go on an adventure. We went to the movies and saw Knives Out. It’s now one of my favourites! 

Swimming in the Dubai Beaches, Exploring, Etc. 

Dubai has beautiful beaches, and it was wonderful to be back there and be able to swim. Another thing I miss about the city is the public transportation. It’s so exciting to be able to explore everywhere on foot. So, I took advantage of that while I was there and did a lot of exploring!

Quarantine Shenanigans

Binge-watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Little Fires Everywhere. Learning how to make facewash. Going to drive-thru’s with my sister once my dad was better, just to get out of the house. 

The Penpal Exchange

When I re-launched my blog, I hosted a penpal exchange! I had over 30 people sign up from three different countries. It was so fun to pair them up and connect people. I’m planning on doing this annually, so keep following my blog for the next one — it’ll probably be in August or September. 

My Best Friend Getting Married, Getting Accepted into University, and other Big Life Things 

My best friend got married in August, which was…absolutely insane. I feel way too young to be able to say things like that. I also was accepted to two universities and decided that I would study in Prague. (I’ll be starting school online in February and then moving there physically in the fall.)

The Socially Distanced Autumn Challenge, and Just…Autumn in General

Autumn was restful. I was able to host a little challenge over on my Instagram to celebrate the last month of Autumn. I also hosted a poetry reading along with it! 

THINGS I’M GRATEFUL FOR

  • Computers
  • My Bible Reading Accountability Group Chat
  • Apple Cider
  • All of My Blog Readers!
  • Penpalling + Letters
  • My Writing Community 
  • Kindness + Joy

MY FAVOURITE BLOG POSTS I WROTE

MY FAVOURITE BOOKS I READ

THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THIS YEAR SPECIAL, AND HELPED ME GROW

  • Ana R.
  • Serena R. 
  • Josh V.
  • Kai M. 
  • Annie H. 
  • Breanne E. 
  • Clarissa C. 
  • Mione D.
  • Quentin F. 

MY HOPES, DREAMS, AND RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEXT YEAR

I can’t say that my priorities now will be my priorities by the end of the year. And, because of that, I can’t expect myself to stick to the same goals. I also don’t want the New Year to be my excuse to try to grow — I want to always be making goals and resolutions to better myself, no matter what the date is. 

My hopes, dreams, and resolutions can be summarized simply: to grow towards being a better person and to grow closer towards God. 

I hope, for this year, that I’ll have a smooth transition to university and a peaceful move. I’ll try to read 80 books this year — but not just read them to fulfill a goal, but savour them. I want to learn from the things I read and do. I dream that this year, no matter what happens, I will grasp onto love and virtue and never let go. 

Here’s to 2021.

Keep Wandering,

TALK TO ME! Comments make my day. How was your year? 

9 comments / Add your comment below

  1. Sophia-Thanks for sharing. You are a lovely and sensitive young woman. Hold on to that part of you. It’s beautiful.
    Love,
    Stacey

  2. This was so beautiful, Sophie! Thank you for sharing your heart and your words. I love that you’re holding your goals with an open hand and I’m praying that the Lord surprises you with joy this year <3

  3. Very nice Sophia! You have always had an “old sou”l as they say and it reflects in your writing and who you are as a person. Enjoying your journey through your blogs. Love you ! Jenga

  4. I know I’m a bit late responding to this post, but I was really struck by how positive you are throughout this whole post. I can tell, and you yourself mentioned, that 2020 was really difficult for you. But you didn’t sit and complain, you instead looked for the positives and the hope in it all. It takes a truly special person to be able to do that! You’ve really inspired me to be more optimistic and maybe start my own journal of things that make me happy (: Miss you!

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