10 Unexpected Ways 2020 Helped Us Grow

February 12, 2021

As we reflect on a year that was challenging and stressful, it is uplifting to consider the unexpected ways 2020 may have helped us grow. Here is a list of 70 favourable activities or experiences that 2020 may have facilitated, categorized by the 10 dimensions of wellness.  

1. Socially

   • Learned to love and appreciate family and friends

   • Placed greater value on gatherings and events

   • Navigated multiple roles and responsibilities: caregiving, parenting, and/or working-from-home 

   • Formed deep, compassionate, and supportive relationships

   • Scheduled check-ins with those you love 

   • Engaged in community events (virtual or not)

   • Joined a team, group, or club

2. Emotionally

   • Learned how to self-regulate 

   • Experienced new or forgotten emotions

   • Learned techniques to promote relaxation and manage stress

   • Practiced gratitude 

   • Openly discussed your feelings of stress or uncertainty with a confidant 

3. Physically

   • Spent more time on your nutrition: cooking, baking, eating more routine meals and/or less fast food

   • Spent more time on your fitness: workout at home or outside, got more fresh air

   • Maintained a more regular sleep schedule; got sufficient and quality sleep

   • Drank more water 

   • Learned to recognize warning signs of illness 

   • Developed an awareness of portion sizes or unhealthy eating habits 

   • Practiced more comprehensive/thorough personal hygiene 

   • Made time to relax and unwind

4. Psychologically

   • Identified unhealthy coping strategies and implemented healthy ones

   • Obtained professional mental health services 

   • Developed a self-care routine

   • Acquired skills for managing stress

   • Identified and worked through negative feelings or bad past experiences

   • Engaged in optimistic thinking and reflected on past positive life experiences

   • Discovered personal strengths and resilience 

5. Spiritually

   • Understood what it is to be present in the moment, perhaps facilitated by activities such as meditation, yoga, or self-care rituals 

   • Identified your core values

   • Developed a deeper faith or furthered religious commitments 

   • Learned how to decompress

   • Evaluated your purpose and discovered a deeper/new meaning in life 

   • Volunteered or helped another  

   • Practiced forgiveness

6. Intellectually

   • Learned to filter information, evaluate it, and judge the credibility of sources

   • Learned a new skill, a new hobby, took an online course, or furthered education

   • Read books 

   • Created a craft or art project 

   • Tried a new recipe 

   • Discovered podcasts or new music

7. Romantically

   • Learned to fare with your spouse/partner when spending a lot of time together 

   • Set boundaries

   • Practiced praising or complimenting your partner

   • Practiced kind and respectful conversation

   • Engaged in difficult discussions (perhaps even arguments) in order to bring a better understanding of life and relationship expectations or commitments 

   • Prioritized ‘alone time’ 

   • Joined a dating app

   • Took a break from an unfulfilling relationship 

8. Vocationally

   • Learned how to be flexible with work arrangements and business commitments

   • Started a side-job or money-making hobby 

   • Took a professional development course or work-related training

   • Participated in a webinar, seminar, or virtual event  

   • Set career goals or re-evaluated past goals

   • Spent more or less time working

   • Attempted an improved work-life balance 

   • Made an investment 

   • Developed a succession plan

9. Environmentally

   • Gained a deeper appreciation for the privilege of travel and vacationing

   • Spent more time outdoors

   • Decluttered, cleaned, organized, renovated, or redecorated the house

   • Moved into a new home

   • Planted and tended to a garden

   • Surrounded yourself with people or things that brought you peace and joy

   • Purchased from local shops or markets 

10. Culturally 

    • Took a stand regarding social issues

    • Developed a deeper understanding and compassion for people of other cultures

    • Respectfully engaged in conversation with people who have different experiences or worldviews than you

    • Respected diversity 

    • Became more open-minded

    • Acknowledged or challenged your own biases, stereotypes, or prejudice

    Are any of these activities/experiences relatable? What are some other ways 2020 may have helped you grow? Let us know! 

    Written by Coral Blaikie.