2020 has been a year of emotions in ways we have most likely not experienced before. A cocktail of feelings that was neither ordered nor goes down well, and everybody got to drink it. In silence, alone or together (hopefully with mindful distance keeping), we have shared this experience. It has not been nice but has it been an opportunity for growth, Reflection... Change?

“Life is like the river, sometimes it sweeps you gently along and sometimes the rapids come out of nowhere.” ― Emma Smith

Did you know that black plague helped spur renaissance? It also laid foundations for workers’ rights at the time, because there was a huge shortage of people and they could be more picky and negotiate for better conditions. Thus, only a (violent) shakeup of the given, established ways can bring fundamental changes. And after every dark days comes a brighter tomorrow. Is this our Spanish flu before the roaring 20s?

We cannot know what comes after but reflecting on this year and its changes can help us make sense of and prepare for what comes next. Let’s start with the obvious.

- Isolation and lockdowns have had immense influence on intimate relationships. Whether some people stayed together for comfort or convenience or realized they are happy together by themselves,  conclusions have been drawn that will ripple through our lives.

- While a lot of us already were or have had to become comfortable with being by ourselves, the pandemic has helped us realize the value of human relationships. The oldest cliché will forever ring true – you do not know what you have till you lose it. Hopefully, the isolation will help us value our relationships, be more mindful and appreciate them. The choice is ours and it is made anew through every thought and interaction with one another.

- Relationship with ourselves, relationship with our intimate partners, with our friends, society and … nature! Research has shown that visits to national parks, general interest and donations have increased across all segments of the population. Constantly staring at the four walls and then going for a walk helps one realize the contrast between two environments. Healthy, relaxing, walks can spur interesting and creative thoughts. Just like we are connected with one another, our connection with nature can be ignored but it does not make it any less real or important.

- And here comes the digital world. Being isolated at home, inside, we have moved onto the world we created. Will working from home be the new norm? We see commitment from major companies and organizations that they will allow more leeway for their employees to choose how they want to work. And while working from home hasn’t been all sunshine and roses, it has allowed us to get a better insight with people we interact in our professional lives. Whether it is spouses awkwardly showing up on camera or children running around or glimpses of their homes, working from home has allowed an intimate view of people’s lives. Rolling back effects of depersonalization can be useful, especially that many like to complain about the world losing genuine human connections.

- Talking about work and companies, research shows that customers are placing higher value on sustainable, purpose driven companies when voting with their wallets! Maybe this is the push we all needed to move from ‘barebones’ capitalism and consumerism onto a more conscientious world. If you are reading this, you are most likely in line with the values of 23plusone. Together, we strive to have a positive impact on the world. Some of us were born with this mindset but many of us came to this realization after we were confronted and compelled to think differently. Now is the time to hope that many others will have a similar moment.  The violent shakeup of our lives has stopped people from their daily routines and grinds and given us a moment to think, reflect and wish a better world for ourselves. Here is a toast for being a little smarter, better and mindful to who we want to be and where we are going in 2021.