I am choosing to celebrate a COVID New Year instead of Anniversary. Reflecting on the past and creating resolutions and goals for the future. While wearing my best pair of sweatpants at home. Bring on the champagne.   

It has been a whirlwind. I cannot believe that it has been an entire year, but in the same thought it seems as if it has been forever. It is as if the days have blurred together, hard to define with so much of the sameness from the day to day. But in extreme contrast, some of the most defining moments and changes have happened during this blur. We have changed. We have grown. We are different than before. 

I will never forget the exact moment that I knew that life would not be quite the same again. During this week last year we had all been hearing about COVID-19, beginning to take precautions and were unsure about how it would impact us.  

I walked out of a store at the Mall of America at 7:30pm, I looked down the aisle both ways and I was the only person. The only person standing in a place known for its buzz of people during all open hours. The beautiful mall that made you forget what time of day it was from the bright lights and the excitement that filled the building. And there I was, the only person standing in a spot that millions per year have walked through at this same time. I went up the escalator to one of my favorite lookouts into the theme park and I watched a roller coaster pass, as I had done a hundred times before. But this time, the rollercoaster did not have one child on it. And that was the moment.   

I was completely stopped in my tracks as if I could not move forward. Tears began rolling down my face. I stood in the middle of the mall, alone, watching the empty roller coaster… crying and holding my 5-month baby bump. All I could think about was what kind of world I would be bringing this baby into. How would I keep it safe when I didn’t know what it meant to keep myself safe. I called my Dad- I call him anytime I need perspective, advice and to refocus. He got me walking forward by coaching me on focusing on what I can control and by having faith. I then took these photos to remember this defining moment. On the way to the parking lot, I called my husband and told him that I did think we should also go buy some toilet paper and canned goods. And yes, the TP was out by the time he got to the store that night. Who would have thought we’d be so thankful for stocked toilet paper now! 

I think it is safe to say that we all had our own type of moment sometime before, during or after the initial two weeks.

We have changed, we have grown, and we are different than before. My thoughts and prayers go to all of those that have lost someone due to COVID and indirectly (from mental health).  And to all who are finding peace with these changes to lifestyle, careers, families, etc. My entire intention with this post is to keep us all moving forward and more efficiently than before. And to do so, I believe that we need to reflect and acknowledge where we have come from this past year, celebrate what we have accomplished, give ourselves some grace, write down some memories and create some goals to work towards this next year.  

Like I am sure we are all saying, I would have never imagined that this is where I am today compared to one year ago. That moment abruptly created change. I am choosing to be positive and find the silver linings in the results now. I also need to kick my goal getting into high gear again to battle complacency. Even if it is just to accomplish a few small things to feel success and growth. Let’s create a year for ourselves within our control that we can look back on next year and be proud of. Now where is that champagne. Cheers to this New COVID Year my friends.