2020 wasn’t an easy year for most, but personally, it was a good year. I can’t overstate how grateful I am that although most of my family and friends are in Brazil, everyone is doing well.
But let’s step back to before all the madness started. My goal for 2020 was simple: get a job. I was working on a contract, and I desperately needed a more stable role. Things came to fruition much faster than I expected. I applied for a job just before Christmas 2019. After a turn of events, I ended up getting another job that was everything I’ve ever dreamed of and more. While I was still processing the paperwork to start the new role, we went into lockdown, and I was so grateful and relieved that I had conquered my biggest goal since I arrived here in Canada at the right moment.
Even being on lockdown and working from home was a blessing in disguise. Since I was sick for most of the year, working from home was all I need to keep functioning. Luckily I got surgery just before Christmas, and I’m hopeful that in 2021 I’ll be healthy again. I can’t wait to have my life back on track.
Another great thing that came from me being sick was running. I started to run in 2019 when I noticed I was gaining weight. Initially, I thought the weight change happened because I wasn’t doing enough cardio. It turns out it was all a result of all my health issues, but that’s another story. My morning routine became my escape. Some days I was in so much pain I could barely run, but no matter how sick I felt, I always had my run to look forward to the next day and a sense of accomplishment once I was done.
My goal for 2020 was to run a 10k, which sounded nearly impossible, but I’m not one to back away from a challenge. Luckily, I was connected to a trainer that created a plan and made the 10k go smoothly. I loved it so much that I ran two more after the first. I haven’t set a goal for 2021 yet. I guess my aim will be a 15k or a half-marathon. We’ll see!
Last but not least, I learned how to code. I’m no developer, but after one course earlier this year, I decided to build my website during the holidays since I would take some time off. I knew I would be bored without anything to do, so I got myself some work. After all, what are vacations for?
It took me three days to figure out the navigation bar, but after that, everything else came together very quickly. It might not be the most groundbreaking website out there, and I’m sure that in a month or two, I’ll have another idea and redesign it, but I’m proud to say I built something from nothing.
2020 was a great year, and if in 2021 I’m able to regain my health and we can control the pandemic, I’ll be incredibly happy.
