Message received loud & clear, 2020.



What do you do when the phrase "get up and try again" was ingrained in you? Yeah, on the surface, it's admirable. It's courageous. But what if you have another option? What if that other option was to sit, slow down and take a step back?

This year has been quite an adjustment. I'm someone who was always on the move and always had something on the agenda, BUT not this year. This year (as you'll read) has given me a message that I'm only just now receiving loud and clear! I mean, it only took barely making it out of Guatemala before its borders closed down, being hit with kidney stones/multiple infections that wiped me out for months AND testing positive for COVID-19 to finally get the message: sit, slow down and take a step back. 

It's safe to assume that all of us have been knocked down and (whether we like it or not) needed to pull every ounce of energy left in our tanks to get back up and try again. Rising above adversity is in our nature. But, some instances call for a different approach. Sometimes, the more energy you expel, the more damage you end up causing towards yourself and others.

Take what happened to me in March, for example. When I could no longer deal with the physical pain I was experiencing, I was rushed to an emergency clinic and walked away with several prescriptions of heavy antibiotics that knocked me out for weeks. I was so ashamed of my lack of energy...well maybe frustrated was the word. I couldn't get back up and try. Trust me, I tried. Why isn't getting up and trying again not working for me?! Why can't I seem to do this even though I'm trying so freaking hard?! UGHHHHHH!!! Getting up and trying again actually made me feel worse. I needed to take a step back and slow down.

I wish I could tell you that I came out of those months with some inspiring life lessons and a fresh perspective…(you guessed) I didn't. Once I started feeling back to my normal self, it was only natural that I wanted to revert back to what I loved doing before: traveling! Yeah, even in the midst of a pandemic, I was determined to find a way to feel a sense of normalcy again. Can you relate?

That need to rush back into the life I knew, led me to visit my uncle in Houston. Before I knew it, I was sick in bed and rushed to get tested for COVID-19. I tested positive.

My mind and body found themselves busy working hard to fight off yet another internal invasion...

It was right around the time when my parents had to get tested (they tested negative thank God) when I finally heard 2020's life lesson loud and clear: Amanda, it's time that you ACTUALLY make peace with scaling back right now, not for your own good, but for the good of others. That doesn't mean you stop moving forward. It means you pivot. 

So, all of those plans I had crossed off my list (not because I completed them, but because I couldn't do them), I needed to somehow find a way to pivot. If those plans on your list are THAT important to you, you'll find a way to fight for them. Maybe even find a gentler, more natural way of approaching them.

Am I the only one being tested this way? If you're facing a similar life lesson, know that I'm with you, and I too am struggling with changing my plans. However, I'm trusting that the change of route we're on is a better, more fruitful one. I hope to build a sustainable life that impacts others, but maybe I can't do that unless I'm forced to sit, slow down and take a step back.


Ways we can pivot:

1. "AH! I had amazing travel plans this year that I had to cancel!😭"


As an avid traveler and a newly minted travel advisor, I can relate to this pain on a million levels. Nothing can EVER replace traveling and exploring new corners of the world. But I've found some temporary ways to get me through this period:

>> Airbnb Experiences: The best hands-on alternative I've seen so far during this quarantine! My boyfriend, Andy, and I have been able to go to an Icelandic concert, make tiramisu with a world champion baker and learn more about Irish whiskey from an Irishman! Trust me, it's worth looking into.

>> Pinterest! Start planning and learning more about new places to visit around the world. I love searching for under-rated or off the beaten path places on there! Start your own Pinterest board and get to dreaming! Once it's safe to travel again, you won't feel overwhelmed with options because you'll already have a plan in place ;)

2. "I wanted to start a project/business but can't anymore.😔" 


I feel you on SO many levels. Something I wanted to begin building this year was my own sustainably-focused business. I had plans and projected timelines, but the pandemic hit... I've worked in the sustainability space for almost 5 years now and I know there is always something to learn. So, instead of focusing on the project you can't execute anymore, use this time to learn more and deepen your understanding.

>> Seek out podcasts, books and online communities dedicated to the line of work or passion project you want to do. I've been listening to podcasts like Girl Boss, Sustainability Defined and Unlocking Us with Brene Brown for inspiration!

>> Begin thinking about new angles that would work during times like these. Can you achieve an e-commerce business instead of a brick and mortar? Can you build an online community first instead? Can you find a platform that can help you sell your products?

3. "I just lost my job due to the pandemic and don't know what to do!"


This year has been the ultimate rollercoaster ride. I was just asked to reduce my hours at work, and though I thankfully still have a job, I can understand the mounting bills and the uncertainty that this creates. In light of that, I've been thinking of alternative ways I can begin bringing in income. Here are two I've found to be helpful:

>> 15 Creative Ways to Make Money. I've recently started taking online business classes as a way to relearn or newly learn ways of becoming financially sustainable. This was an article that they shared, which I thought was so helpful and something you might be able to incorporate while you're searching for your next venture.

>> Facebook isn't only where your relatives hangout.😜 You can actually find amazing online communities on there! Many of these communities share job opportunities and tips that can get you through this time.

4. "I'm stuck at home and going CRAZY. HELP!!"


Yep. There's only so much Netflix one can watch, huh?

>> Have fun in the kitchen! Andy and I have been subscribed to Blue Apron since I first got sick in March and it's been something I look forward to doing. The meals are so good, easy to prepare and something to look forward to when you don't have much going on around at home. Make a date night out of it by pulling out a glass of wine or a pint of beer!

>> Get around to watching those classics that you never had time for. Something we've done was google top 100 movies and we're making our way through some of these classics. I've also (finally) watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit-- why have I waited THIS long?!

>> BONUS: Get moving! Another thing that I've enjoyed doing has been exercising (walking, biking, lifting light weights). I'm not someone that you'd randomly bump into at a gym LOL I've always loved going to group exercise classes instead. So since that's not an option these days, it was hard to find the motivation to get moving-- BUT you've got to!! Getting out, smelling that fresh air and getting your body moving is the exact thing you should be doing right now in order to take care of yourself. This goes without saying, wear a mask! ;)


So, before I let you go. I hope that the current lesson 2020 is teaching me motivates you to make peace with whatever your current situation looks like. Remember, you have a second option that is meant to help you stop, evaluate and approach your life in a potentially more sustainable and healthy way. Avoid shaming or guilting yourself into anything right now. Sit, slow down, take a step back. I wish you all the best right now and can't wait to hear what you're challenging yourself with in this season!


With love,

Amanda

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