[BeaFlower]

I know, this is a strange year for this kind of thread 😅 But I do it every year and I thought it was worth doing it also now.
This year has been difficult, but I found some little jobs...all temporary, and during lockdown here I couldn't work, but at the moment I'm working and I think to like it, though I still have to get used to some things. But it's with children and teens and it's what I wanted.
Also, I think my friends and I are taking each other much less for granted than in past, since we had the lockdown and so on...before that we were often too busy for meeting together, but in spring during lockdown we began having a video call every weekend and also in not-lockdown times we usually meet or call each other once a week. I think it's a good thing
Look forward to reading your replies

- I tried duck for the first time (and really enjoyed it)

- I don't know anyone with the virus (and I don't have it myself)

- the forum is still going strong and is now under the direction of healthline (hopefully will be a positive change)

- getting a new ornament angel sent to me to replace the one my mother broke (and she is just as beautiful!)



-

[Miss Laura]

- I tried and loved Haggis (Yes I'm Scottish and have always hated it 35 years on and I now love it)

- Learnt to make whisky sauce from scratch

- Had a fab holiday in September

- Had a fab night away in a Tree house with my Sister at a castle amazing time

- Had an amazing summer despite lockdown

- Had my Birthday prior to lockdown so got to see family and friends as much as I liked

- Got to see a dancer from Strictly Come Dancing (UK TV show) the guy is called Giovanni love him so much lol

- Got to see a local production at the start of January called Oor Wullie check him out he is a cartoon character and my home town made him. He is a national treasure in Scotland and is 80 years old now

- Being able to get a massage after 9 months finally relaxation has been restored

***** Looking forward to*****

* Getting away in March 2021 albeit we can

* My Brother turns 40 in March

* My Mum turns 65 in June

Think that's it

[Mountaindewed]

I started my transition and got my surgery done and approved and paid for by my insurance. and none of my family got sick with Covid and I didn’t get Covid either.

Things I am glad for in 2020:

-my relationship with my parents. I'm spending much more time with them - they're the only ones in my bubble (and my bro bc he lives with them). Its nice. And when its not nice, I can leave and go home.

-I'm much closer with some of my friends. We talk more often and again, its just really nice.

-I moved twice this year and a friend of mine is going to gift me one of his paintings for my new abode. I'm looking forward to that a lot (not to mention I was so touched when he told me), and looking forward to seeing him.

-I discovered yoga and really like it.

-the pandemic has gotten me to give some groups I'd fallen out of, second chances. And its worked out. For instance, a meditation group I'm part of, I started going back to via zoom. Had the pandemic not happened, I'm not sure this would have either.

-I started taking a medication that helps and it doesn't bother me with side effects.

-I got to see some really great natural wonders this year: a starling murmuration around my house, bees pollinating forget me nots, a robin eating breakfast (a worm) and I got them all on video.

-I discovered A Way With Words (a show about language) which is now one of my favorite podcasts. Same with Short Wave (a show about science).

-I moved twice this year, and while it was very stressful, the second move was worth it (and empowering) and put me in line with my goals.

-this was the year I became empowered as a single person and embraced my single status. I learned so much.

-I posted this in the thread about Christmas, but its really lovely seeing so many Christmas lights up on houses this year.

[RoxanneToto]

Biting the bullet and starting therapy again. Not sure how far we’ll go, but I think it’s helping. I’ve already learned some things I didn’t expect to.
Being an asocial introvert made lockdown a bit easier, although I am an essential worker so couldn’t stay at home.
An uncomfortable friendship ended - I got ghosted in April, they tried to get back in contact a few weeks ago but after me and a mutual friend got talking about our friendships with said ex friend and her mum, I decided not to reconnect. I’d tried to “fix” things, but the effort wasn’t really reciprocated.

[*Beth*]

Nice thread!

I'm grateful for so many reasons this year, but I'll name just one (besides this wonderful forum, where I have made so many friends).

In late May I was able to have surgery on my achilles tendon. I had been in miserable, increasing pain with it for nearly 3 years. Walking had become extremely difficult. SO I had surgery and the pain has gone away! Recovery is slow, but very steady...4 months of various casts, crutches, and so on. But now I am cast-free and, although I do have to wear super supportive shoes (they don't look too terrible, actually; basically, like running shoes) I can sometimes wear my winter hiking boots. Fingers crossed that by spring I'll be able to wear sandals, and be able to drive again.

Also, my surgery occurred at a good time. I would have been home-bound anyway, post surgery, so lockdown has scarcely affected me.

[downandlonely]

The rise of Zoom and virtual support groups have helped me tremendously.
My extended family lives on the other side of the world. We see each other more often now, via Zoom, than we did before 2020.

[Blue_Bird]

I moved into a new apartment that's much more affordable to me and nicer than the last one. I was on a waiting list for it for a few years so finally getting in was a big thing for me.

I'm almost finished paying off what I owe my college, so I can start taking classes again in the fall

I've lost quite a bit of weight after my doctor added metformin to counteract the weight gain from the antipsyhotics I'm on

I've been doing yoga and really enjoying it

I've started playing the ukulele

Enjoying the little things more

A couple of things for me, even though there may be more that I can't think of right now. Yes, it's not been a good year for a lot of people and maybe everyone. Well, here's mine:

• I still have a job to go to. I was declared by upper management that I am considered an "essential" worker. So that kept me on.

• My rent didn't go up a whole lot. When I first moved in, I had a one year lease. The rate stayed the same in the whole year. But then it stayed that same for a few months after that. When it went up, it wasn't much. The rent would have skyrocketed if it were not for this pandemic.

[mugwort2]

Biden being elected US president . Do I want trump to concede? Hell yeah!!!

[divine1966]

I am usually a positive person but I am kind of having hard time finding too many positives about 2020. I mean it could always be worse. So that’s kind of positive. I mean my life is ok but 2020 put a damper on things etc Hope for better 2021

[mote.of.soul]

Finally getting a new apartment/unit which, as it turned out, exceeded my wildest expectations so I immediately took it, and then on my first proper night walk since moving in last Friday, was treated to an incredible display of meteor activity on such beautiful clear night (due to the fact that I now live further away from the city centre, less light pollution, the stars are I estimate about 35% more visible! ) because it just so happened that my first night walk was also the night that the Geminids meteor shower peaked! 🤩

It was a positive sign I tells ya. 👍

Hopefully 2021 will be a much better year for everyone who has struggled through this year. I do believe it will be a better and more interesting year. 🙏

[BeaFlower]

I'm happy to be having so many answers in this thread Reading your replies gave me new ideas for some things to be grateful for myself, so, thank you!
I think this weird year is really bringing many of us to appreciate little things more

[mugwort2]

This. Not one but two COVID vaccines. Moderna and Pfizer. Listed in alphabetical order. The tide is turning at last.

[splitimage]

I got a job. First employment since 2018,

[Deilla]

Yes, this has been a strange year. But it has had some good things for me:

1. Telehealth available more often.
2. DBT
3. Discounts on TalkSpace for online therapy.
4. Discovered several great metaphysical authors.
5. Remote PT.
6. Overcame agoraphobia (mostly).
7. Found some great books on happiness.
8. Bonded with my daughter.
9. Improved relationships.
10. Creative summer.
11. Published a book.

I could go on, but I'm very thankful for the good that's come out of this year.

[MuseumGhost]

I have found in life that almost everything improves when you sustain an attitude of gratitude! Counting my blessings has even completely turned my mood around, more than once.

My list:

- Our dentist was open for business in the last few months, and the staff at that office are so wonderful. I was able to get a troublesome tooth fixed (it's been a bear for a very long time), and am now dealing with far less pain and stress than I was, before. We LOVE our dentists!

- Husband has proven to be a patient and thoughtful individual, during these last 10 very scary and uncertain months. He's not perfect; but he's been better company in this singular crisis than an awful lot of people I've known would have been. He's for sure someone you want to have in your lifeboat.

-I feel very fortunate to be living where I do. My plain little house is now a castle to me. I am very grateful for all the big & little positives: a roof over my head, warm bed at night, more than enough food and good company, most days.

-My depression and anxiety have backed-off quite a bit. I am managing them now unmedicated. There are still some struggles, but I'm grateful for whatever change allowed this to be so.

-Our two little cats bring us so much delight. I am really happy they are in our lives.

-Our habit of collecting antiques and vintage items was beginning to feel burdensome and hard-to-manage for me, before Covid. I was developing lots of mixed and conflicting emotions about it. But it turns out, it's been a sanity saver. I always have a little organizing/ consolidating/ displaying/ photographing project to keep me occupied. And it all brings me as much joy as going out and finding those wonderful things did in the beginning.

[Sunflower123]

Positive things for me in 2020

1. Summer vacation in the mountains where my daughter was doing an internship. Had a great time.
2. Lost 75 pounds.
3. Quality time with my daughter.
4. Lazy days floating in the pool in the sunshine.
5. My sister’s family got COVID and came through okay.
6. I took this opportunity to go inward and do innerwork and reflection.
7. Telehealth appointments.
8. Two vaccines out - great news.
9. A needed change in administration was decided.
10. My mother, brother and I have remained healthy to this point.

There are many other things that have been a blessing. I did well in 2020. I am looking forward to 2021 though.

[lizardlady]

This going to sound odd, but I'm grateful my mom passed away before Covid. I would have come apart at the seams if she was in assisted living and I could not have seen her.

I'm grateful I still have a job. So many are out of work. I appreciate I still have my job. I'm grateful that the agency I work for found ways of keeping us working through everything. I discovered that I like being able to work from home.

I'm grateful for my friends here at PC. Hmmm, I guess it's not PC anymore.... I'm grateful for y'all. You've gotten me through some bad patches AND entertained me in the good times.

I'm grateful for my pdoc who helped me remember there is a difference between being depressed and feeling down because life around me has gone insane.

I'm grateful for my little piece of heaven here in the boonies. When we were in lockdown I had my 10 acres to play on instead of being stuck in the house.

Beaflower, I'mgrateful to you for starting this thread. It helped lift my mood to review good things that happened this year. I was stuck feeling sorry for myself.

[BeaFlower]

Thanks lizard!!