When I sit and think of the year two thousand and twenty, I struggle to think of anything other than lockdowns and Government incompetence. It’s difficult to come to any conclusion other than it’s been an awful year that we should forget immediately; friends and families have been separated for a heartbreaking amount of time, too many of us have had to say goodbye to loved ones far too soon, hundreds of thousands have lost their jobs and careers, conspiracy theorists and populists have effectively seized a golden opportunity to spread lies, hatred and sow further division, the selfishness and arrogance of many of our fellow citizens has been demonstrated time and time again and, perhaps worst of all, we’ve been entirely powerless to do anything about it, passengers for a journey of utter misery that seemed to be never ending.
I don’t think this is how 2020 should be remembered, though. Yes, some people are arseholes, yes, the Government has cocked it up several times and yes, being stuck inside away from the people we love has been crap, but there are a huge amount of positives to take away from this dreadful year if you just look hard enough. Look at the speed at which humanity has been able to produce not just one, but several vaccines that all provide around 90% effectiveness and should hopefully offer us a path back to normality by the summer of next year. It cannot be understated just how awe inspiringly impressive that is and how much we owe to those scientists and researchers who achieved what is effectively a miracle in such a short space of time.
We should also draw inspiration from the fact that, despite the obvious stand outs, we as a society have come together in a multitude of ways to get through this disaster. The fact that 750,000 people volunteered to help the NHS within days of being asked continues to boggle my mind and is a clear example of how, when the chips are down, there are far more good people among us than bad ones. Nothing, however, will ever stand up to the key workers that have kept this country running during the toughest challenge we will likely ever face in our lifetimes. One can hardly fathom the emotional distress and fatigue many have endured during what will inevitably be the hardest time of their career, and although they will never get the recognition or compensation they truly deserve, the fact that they keep on going is a testament to the strength of their resolve and dedication, as well as a shining example of the quiet resoluteness that keeps this country going.
On a personal note, whilst it has certainly not been the year I expected it to be, I’ve still had a pretty fantastic 2020 considering the circumstances. First of all, I graduated from the University of Hull as a Bachelor of the Arts with Upper Second Class honours in Politics, which I consider quite the achievement when you take into account how much I grew to hate being away from home during my second & third years, to the point where I barely attended University at all. Secondly, I managed to lose a lot of weight and, whilst I’m not quite where I want to be, I feel healthier and happier than I have done in years and my confidence is back in abundance (to the dismay of many). Finally, although I don’t often talk about this publicly, I started seeing a therapist privately and my mental health is the best it’s been for as long as I can remember, which means that, when I say I’m happy, I really mean it, which is nice.
I think it’s also important to remember the things I did manage to do in 2020. In January I enjoyed a lovely break in Malta with Oliver, perusing museums, drinking coffee, eating nice food and taking pictures. In February I was able to delight in several nights (and days) out, my favourite of which was the group trip to Birmingham for my birthday, largely because everyone had no choice but to devote their attention to yours truly. In March I attended the Cheltenham Festival for the first time which, as an avid horse racing fan, was one of the best experiences of my life. In April, as lockdown commenced, my wonderful friends came together for a series of Zoom quizzes (see Piss Ups) which provided me with the entertainment I needed to get through, as I have written about in detail on this blog before. In May, I finally handed in my dissertation and finished three years of University, putting an end to a saga which can only be described as traumatic. In June I was able to reunite with my friends and I attended/hosted what seemed like an endless amount of barbecues, several of which ended in me blacking out drunk. In July pubs and restaurants reopened and I revelled in taking every possible opportunity to go out for food or drinks, as if they’d been closed for three decades instead of three months. In August, Dishy Rishi’s half price meals offer was repeatedly taken advantage of, as was the beautiful weather with numerous walks and bike rides. In September, life almost seemed normal again; I was going out for food and drinks with my friends, I was walking, cycling, playing golf, shopping, I was even working again at my new job at Paddy Power. October continued to be a blur of food, drinks and exercise, all of which kind of blend into one after a while. Even during November, which saw the return of a lockdown, I was still able to enjoy the company of my friends on beautiful walks and for ‘essential’ shopping (the definition of essential apparently remains rather ambiguous).
December has been a somewhat underwhelming month and it seems apt that we end it in yet another lockdown. As I look to 2021, however, I am filled with optimism. A vaccine is on the way and, providing the Government manage to not completely fuck it up, this should allow us to return to some semblance of normality at some point during the year, hopefully by summer, and I for one cannot wait to jet off to some hot foreign land for a holiday, or queue for an hour for a packed nightclub with my friends, or go to a pub with more than six people and order drinks without a substantial meal, or even just go round to someones house without having to break the law. What 2020 has taught me though is that, even if none of this happens and we remain in lockdowns perpetually, the positive changes I’ve made in my own life and the family & friends I’ve surrounded myself with are enough to get me through anything.
I’m off to get pissed with my darling Mother, without whom none of this would have been possible, and see in the new year. I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2021. Stay safe.
