2020 has been far from normal, a rollercoaster of more emotions than I can count. It’s definitely had both its surprises and teaching moments. I, for one, am glad to see 2020 draw to a close, although I am maintaining realistic expectations for 2021. I know that when the clock strikes 12, this pandemic won’t just magically disappear.
People keep asking about goals and plans for 2021, and for once, I’m not on setting anything concrete. I’m a natural planner but I want to let go. So instead of listing 10 ambitious specific goals for 2021, I’m going to continue pursuing personal joy and strengthening my relationships with friends and family. And hopefully outside will open again.
Anyway, this post is about looking back on 2020. So let’s get into some of the biggest moments of the year, what songs I listened to and the books that I read.
Pre-lockdown
My year started off great. I’m a Capricorn so I usually fill the first few weeks of January with lots of birthday plans. From pottery painting to Flight Club, I spent quality time bringing my friends together. This is the essence of a good birthday to me.
I also made grand plans for the year, including convincing my parents to allow me to do a solo backpacking trip to Peru. This was no easy feat but I was determined and had a plan. This trip was inevitably cancelled but will be rebooked as soon as I have more confidence in travelling again.
By the beginning of March, it was becoming obvious that the coronavirus was spreading from China to other countries. I had plans to go to Valencia and Madrid with my school friends. It would have been the first time all 7 of us were going to be away, having only managed 6 at most before. Some friends started dropping out with fears about the virus growing, but I was adamant I still wanted to go. We ended up cancelling our trip the day before our flight, after news that Spain was heading into lockdown.
It began to dawn on me that soon the UK would be a in a similar situation, so I invested in a second desktop screen and keyboard at home to prepare for working from home. I was knee deep in spreadsheets, and did not want to end up with just my laptop screen as I’d heard display screens were nearly becoming as scarce as toilet roll at that time.
What I listened to: Fight for your right by J Hus, Enjoy yourself by Pop Smoke ft. Burna Boy
Lockdown 1
At the beginning of lockdown, London was so quiet. I went on regular walks, making use of the 1 hour exercise rules. There was no traffic, and I remember feeling safe enough to walk on the roads. Weekends were strange – there was not much to do and life started to just blur. I was alone with my thoughts and struggled with not being busy as I usually was.
In April I started exercising daily in the mornings before work, something I’ve never successfully been able to do before. I also spent the first lockdown getting acquainted with my natural hair. With my braids undone and no access to a hairdresser, it was an opportunity to learn how to look after it myself as I’ve had relaxed hair for as long as I can remember.
I also started hosting weekly games nights with my school friends, ranging from Jackbox Games, to the Weakest Link and a pub quiz, which we never finished. I also hosted a Ladies Night called Lockdown Lituation with my uni friends. At this point, the novelty of Zoom was still very much alive.
In May, I had my first outing with a friend – using a Boris Bike to get to Trafalgar Square where we walked around the quiet streets of central London. It wasn’t until the 20th June, that we managed to get the majority of the gang together again in Hyde Park. Inevitably this year has been filled with lots of visits to parks.
May was also marked by the relaunch of my blog, as well as the great sadness from the murder of George Floyd. Unfortunately, I don’t think if not for the global lockdown with everyone at home, his death would have had the same effect. I have seen some positive change that came from the worldwide outrage, but recognise there is still a long way to go in pursuing anti-racism. I feel empowered to have conversations on race with people on a way I hadn’t felt before. Finally I hope that this social and political consciousness felt amongst young people is here to stay.
What I listened to: Believe it by Partynextdoor Savage Remix by Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyoncé, Do It by Chloe x Halle, Lockdown by Anderson Paak, Quarantine Speech by Lady Leshurr
What I read: Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend, Work like a woman by Mary Portas
Summer 2020
I had an extremely busy summer, with work being very busy on top of attempts to revise for my final ACA exam. The highlight of my summer was the Black is King visual album by Beyoncé. She will always be the best of the best in my eyes, and regardless of opinions on the cultural aspects, it is a true work of art, from the music to the choreography to the looks, all inspired by the African continent and my favourite Disney film, The Lion King.
One other highlight was I did a day trip to the coast (Kingsgate Bay, Botany Bay and Joss Bay in Kent) with my work friends. Getting out of London even for a few hours felt so freeing after months locked down at home. I also did another day trip in September and walked the Seven Sisters in East Sussex.
What I listened to: Already by Beyoncé, Water by Beyoncé ft. Salatiel and Pharrel, Bank on it by Burna Boy.
Autumn 2020
This year I marked 3 years at my job and became a fully qualified chartered accountant, resulting in a long-awaited promotion at work. I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved at work, having completed a mainly virtual secondment and working on some very interesting client projects which had their individual challenges. I won’t pretend I didn’t suffer from burnout several times this year, but I had my first proper holiday in October, escaping to Athens for a few days with a friend from school. I definitely enjoyed not sleeping in my bed for a few days, as well as exploring the sights Athens had to offer, soaking up some sun and eating a lot. Blog post pending…
My holiday bubble was fairly quickly burst, coming back to a busy project at work and also to the news of the #ENDSARs protests in Nigeria. The worst was the night of the Lekki Massacre on 20th October. I honestly hope that one day we will be able to hold all those responsible to account. In the meantime, I pray for a Nigeria that serves its young people better.
What I listened to: Greece by DJ Khaled ft. Drake
What I read: Love in Colour by Bolu Babalola, The Outsider by Stephen King
Lockdown 2
I hoped we would not have another lockdown, but it had to happen. I found myself going for long walks in the cold on the weekend just to escape the house, because I refused to go crazy despite my dislike for the cold.
I still don’t understand the UK government’s managing of the pandemic but it is what it is. There’s not really much else to say, apart from meh.
What I listened to: Longtime Wizkid ft. Skepta, Ginger by Wizkid ft. Burna Boy
What I read: The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
December 2020
And now for the final month of the year, December. This year has been fast and slow but we made it. I had a few quiet weeks of work before putting on my out of office. I ended the year with family in Lagos, Nigeria. It wasn’t exactly a Detty December but I enjoyed the downtime and the sunshine. At least we finally have a Brexit deal, not that I’m happy about Brexit. I’ll be returning to London and Tier 4 in the New Year, but for now I am grateful. I’ve been doing a daily gratitude journal (one from the Happiness Planner) and it’s done wonders for my mental health and perspective. I thank God for everything that I have, not just my achievements, but also my health, relationships and the maintenance of a reliable income stream at work.
What I listened to: Oh Santa by Mariah Carey ft. Jennifer Hudson and Ariana Grande
What I read: The Defining Decade by Meg Jay
Until next year, Ugochi