The pandemic has been mentally and physically hard. For literally everyone. How in just one whole year has drastically changed the way of life. Social distancing, lockdowns, the increasing death tolls, frightening news updates across social media, joblessness, money-crunch, loneliness, literally the list goes on and on and on.

There are days when it seems next to impossible to even wake up and do things. It’s that exhausting mentally. Personally, I felt and feel lost sometimes. Somedays I wake up thinking of doing certain tasks and I only end up looking at my window, not having any energy to even move a bit. Sometimes, I even feel my dreams and aspirations are blurring away because of the amount of time that passed just in one year.

But then I look at these two photos above and realize how much I have changed in just that time frame. FOR THE BETTER. So much to be grateful for and happy about. The strength between these two photos and the lessons I have learned along the way to find strength in hard times are as follows:

THE CONTINUATION OF LOVE

Being surrounded by hardships helped me realize to cherish the people in my life for who they are. Giving these people my whole, authentic self without the fear of not being good enough. Lean on the ones who love you unconditional.

HARDSHIPS ARE PART OF GROWING

During childhood the harsh reality of life is often sugar-coated; growing up really is a hard pill to swallow. Part of living and growing up is experiencing unexpected troubles in life. We hear things about people losing their job, getting sick, or someone being critically ill in the hospital These are situations that tamper with our emotions and can leave us feeling outraged, lost or helpless. This year especially taught me or all of us for that matter to grow and stay ever so strong.

CHERISH THE MOMENT

Take a walk. Remove yourself from the environment; get some air, it helps in taking a timeout. Spend your time wisely and take a pause that is long enough to appreciate life. Life is meant to be lived, deeply felt, and enjoyed. We have little control over most of the external circumstances, but what we do have control over is the way we react. Yesterday can never be brought back and tomorrow is truly never promised.

YOU’RE NOT YOUR PAST

The past does not define us. You’re not your past habits nor the story you used to tell yourself. The future is a clean slate to become who you wish to be. Not letting myself have fear of the unknown dictate how I choose to plan my future. You’re allowed to change your own internal narrative. You’re allowed to use the past as a stepping tool. I know I plan to reflect the time I used and didn’t for my future plans.

YOU’RE IN CHARGE OF YOUR FEELINGS

Feelings change, people change, and time – our greatest limited resource – just keeps ticking. You choose how you feel this very moment! You can hold onto past mistakes, or you can create your own happiness. You’re allowed to feel any feeling you want. That’s what makes us fucking human.

To each of our own, we all went through something we never imagined we would in a lifetime. But we did. And it’s something we’ll remember for the rest of our lives. I’m choosing to be grateful of the time I created. For overcoming the most challenging, terrifying and emotional year I can ever recall.

Be gentle with your feelings and remember you are human. Stay humble and be kind. 🤍