A Comprehensive Throwback to the Year Gone By

 

After resiliently surviving the year 2020, we have made it to a new chapter which is expected to be full of hope, happiness and relief.

A week into 2021, I would like to take you all on a throwback to the year of lost hopes and shattered lives but also new opportunities and a lot of introspection and realizations.

(This is going to be a long write-up. I hope you’ll take time out to read it till the end.)

Image Source: pixabay.com

The most important aspect that 2020 has brought to the limelight is mental health. The COVID-19 crisis forced people to be locked in their homes which led to financial, emotional and social suffering. This impacted a lot of them mentally. Mental well-being, which has been stigmatized for a long time, found a place in people’s priority lists. The year also saw increased awakening and awareness about it. People started coming forward advocating mental health and various online counselling and therapy services emerged in the scenario. However, this statement by a friend makes me reflect, “Mental health has gained importance on social media but in reality, not a lot of people are willing to come forward with their problems.” Well, I hope the transition from media to reality progresses with the coming year and everyone prioritizes ‘me before we’ focusing more on their well-being.

In my opinion, the year 2020 has made us more ‘human’ than ever. In the midst of facing a global pandemic and many other situations that proved to be catalysts to the already existing catastrophe, there have been incidents of humans supporting humans. From the medical fraternity, essential services workers, police, artists (we fail to recognize their role in keeping us occupied and in the right state of mind), volunteers, etc., to family and friends (if we look closer home), mankind united to overcome the difficulties. Our hearts were filled with empathy for people who lost their lives, people whose livelihoods were destroyed and warriors who prioritized others before themselves. The year gone by also taught humans to be grateful. There were incidents of negative emotions too but that is a part of being human. How you deal with that is what matters. Being the year of many deaths, it has also made us reflect and think about the uncertainty that a life comes with and taught us to accept and deal with the loss of loved ones.

2020 was the year of rekindled hobbies and interests. With the whole world almost shut, lives and livelihoods came to a standstill. This gave some people time off from the hustle they were always engaged in. People pursued lost hobbies including but not limited to painting, music, dancing, writing, gardening, cooking, etc. A lot of new skills were also learnt. People started engaging their minds in productive things which led to discovery of new ideas and ways of doing things. But it is important to reiterate that if you didn’t do any of these things, you should still be proud of yourself because you survived. The year seemed like a practical demonstration of Charles Darwin’s theory of ‘Survival of the Fittest’ wherein adaptability to the circumstances and the new normal was the key.

Being stuck in a virtual trap for most part of the year, social lives of people were greatly tested. This includes family life, relationships, friendships and general connections. For one section of people, the social fabric of their lives was greatly impacted due to distrust and lack of real communication while for others, the virtual world facilitated reconnection with lost friends and relationships. Families celebrated festivals together while friends celebrated birthdays with each other virtually. People realized the importance of the presence of their loved ones. Though the distant social connections may have strengthened, the close family relations were disrupted for some. With increased cases of domestic violence and arguments within families, people faced a lot of problems at home as the lockdown extended.

On the political front, 2020 witnessed some unrest in India as well as the world. With each country undergoing changes and focusing on its survival, international cooperation was jeopardized in some countries. However, the whole world united for one common cause- fighting the virus. On the national level, India witnessed some protests and intolerance among people towards others’ political views. Economy of the world was crippled by the pandemic pushing various countries towards a possibility of economic recession. The gap between the privileged and the underprivileged was clearly visible. Media played both a positive and a negative role in this situation.

Some people made 2020 the year of finally completing their New Year fitness resolution as they worked out and maintained a healthy diet. But for a lot others, the negative impact of the whole situation was clearly visible on their health. Disturbed sleep cycles due to stress and anxiousness were common. Being forced to sit in front of computer screens for online lectures, work from home, gatherings, etc., led to eye problems and also caused headaches and back aches for many. Some people also experienced fear and paranoia which took a toll on their physical and mental health. Also, due to the COVID-19 situation, hospitals failed to accommodate patients with other health problems which worsened their condition.

The most interesting aspect of the year gone by was the ability of humankind to evolve and adapt to a different way of living. From shifting of the education system to the online world to turning of work from home from a myth to a reality, each section of the society had to accept the new way of doing things. Many business organizations changed their way of functioning which led to lifting up of various constraints as everything was down to survival. People gained a new perspective. Although difficult in the beginning, people have eventually started to follow the new norm of wearing masks everywhere they go. This is the perfect time to say that change is the only constant in life.

In conclusion, 2020 was the ultimate test of our resilience. Although I’ve tried to include a lot of aspects, it is tough to summarize the year gone by in a few words.

As we enter 2021 with a fresh slate, let us resolve to continue being resilient and hopeful and take efforts to make our lives better.