We all know Hindsight Is 2020. Here are some thoughts on the past year starting with my January 2020 word of the year and ending in the middle of a crazy pandemic.
I don’t think anyone could have predicted all the twists and turns of 2020. Hindsight is 2020 is going to be the buzz phrase of the century.
I look back on my Word of the Year post from last January (it was a good one!) and I clearly remember writing it. I was totally fired up and energized coming out of Birch’s first year and pumped to get back into action. Actually, I think I’m mixing up the feelings with January of 2019 when I came back from maternity leave. It seems a whole year is missing from my brain. Ha. That should tell you something.
ANYWAYS.
I tend to get fired up every January and so I’m sure I was both years. Very fired up and then – BOOM – plans changed.
We all learned a lot this year
There isn’t a person in this country who wasn’t affected by COVID in some shape or form. I think many of us have learned a lot from this experience. We’ve fine tuned what we do and don’t want in life.
I am very very grateful that both Thomas and I were able to continue working. While we both hit some speed bumps in April and May, we were able to do our jobs, unlike so many business owners out there. My heart breaks for those industries most affected.
This year we learned how to entertain our children ALL DAY and how to appreciate the great outdoors. We learned a lot about the racial injustices that continue to plague our world. We learned that women can be Vice President and that this country is even more divided than anyone realized.
We are grateful for our families more than ever.
My 2020
My big project for 2020 was supposed to be a NERD KERF course. That obviously didn’t happen. But 2021 will be the year it does!
A year ago I wrote:
“I also want to have time to work ON the blog as well: cleaning up my site, making posts easier to find, SEO optimizing and upcycling older content. Plus side projects: creating thoughtful emails for my lists, possibly writing an e-book on home organization, mentoring my Beautycounter team.”
All things I accomplished.
My site was redesigned, posts have been updated (although I still have a long ways to go), and I’ve 6x my Pinterest views.
I also improved my email list, wrote a small e-book on salad dressing (although I gave it away), and my Beautycounter team grew by leaps and bounds this year.
A year ago I was stressing about which direction to take this blog.
Do I write for my current readers or readers who I wish to have from Google? Or both? I decided I don’t need my blog to be an empire for traffic. I want it to feel like walking into the cozy home of one of your besties. Since none of us can actually do that right now in person, I hope this space will always feel that way to you online.
My 2021 word of the year is a good one. And I’ll be sharing it next week!
Denise says
I appreciate you unequivocally supporting the fight for racial justice. So many bloggers tried to sidestep it. I know where you live, it can be fraught with tension. My best friend lives outside of Richmond (and in fact I was in Charlottesville overnight in June when it felt like there was a safe travel window). We did indeed see the ugly underbelly of America all over this year, and I hope we can just start being better, and doing better. Happy New Year to you and your family!
Melissa says
Happy New Year, Kath, to you and your family! I hope you have a wonderful year ahead filled with health and happiness!
Shauna Johnson says
I have been a follower for almost 10 years and this has been your best year yet. Your political honesty, your awareness of real life issues…you discuss current events that many bloggers/influencers don’t touch. You influenced me to change the way I looked at food 10 years ago and continue to do so today. Thank you for all you do!!
Kath Younger says
Thank you so much <3
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Happy new year, Kath! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Jeanie says
What a tumultuous year! It must be so challenging to raise a family during this time, but you make it look so easy. I hope you can tell us more about the social justice reading list you posted in June. I would love to hear your thoughts!
Elisabeth says
Happy New Year, Kath! I, too, am so glad that you’ve honestly put your views out there this year unlike so many other blogers that almost seem to ignore what’s going on in the “real” world. Thank you for that!
And thank you for the introduction to Beautycounter! I started buying it through you this year and have loved everything I’ve purchased. I’ve always struggled with hormonal acne and my skin has honestly never looked better.
Kath Younger says
Yay I’m so glad to hear that!!
Bete says
Thank you for this wrap up, Kath, and happy new year to you and your adorable fam! We all struggled with so much this year – sickness and death (my brother and SIL), a continuation of horrible injustice by LEO against my Black community, a very (ha!) contentious election, and ignorance and division that doesn’t show any sign of letting up. I’ve been really down about taking it all into the next year. That said, I’m glad to hear about your year, that it was filled with health, prosperity, and happinesss, even if it was a little too much family time for your taste 🙂
Here’s to more of all that good stuff for you and all of us in 2021!
Kath Younger says
Cheers to 2021
coco says
2020 was a strange year but also an opportunity to pause and time to think/evaluate our normal life, what’s important, what’s not. for me 2020 was a great year as I learned so much and grew as a person and family. These tools that I acquired (meditation, journaling, slow down, reading, time spent with my family) will be with me for a long time and I am grateful.
happy new year.
Kath Younger says
I totally agree
Amanda Filler says
Happy New Year! Wishing you many blessings for 2021!
vicki says
Great post Kath! As a long time reader Im glad you decided to keep writing for us. I still find your content totally relevant to my life. Happy New Year!
Poly says
I love the “cozy home” description of the blog, and am glad you are sticking in that direction. I definitely feel it when reading along, and it keeps me coming back. It is a warm + fuzzy and cheerful escape from the everyday 😀
Kath Younger says
Thank you <3
K~ says
HNY Kath ! Love the last family photo, where you are holding & kissing Birch.
Thanks for your blog. I appreciate you.