35 Laps Around the Sun: Happy Birthday to Me

I started the year 2020 like many, with visions of clarity, alignment, and ambition, and I am ending 2020, celebrating my 35th Birthday, feeling drained but content with where I am in life.

I have slogged through the strange crucible of pandemic-living, relationship straining circumstances, and a professional life that no development course or self-help book could have ever prepared me. 2020 was a year that tested many, both literally and figuratively. I am writing this blog posting to my future self because I know that I am prepared for coming after this year. I opened my 2020 journal and read the first few entries outlining my hopes, dreams, and goals for 2020. Many of those goals are either delayed or not completed, and for the first time in my life, I am okay with that.

For example, I wrote that I wanted to travel more for work and pleasure. 2020 had other plans. I didn’t get on a plane for work or leisure at all this year. The global pandemic stopped everything, but I am one of the lucky ones. I was fortunate enough in my career to maintain my full-time employment with the flexible options to work in my office, safely socially distanced, or to work from home.

I wrote that I wanted to share more. I think I meant that I wanted to be more open to my close friends and family and be more forthcoming with new friends…