Remember back in 2019 when Frozen 2 came out, and everyone was singing “INTO THE UNKNOWN”? Well, I personally think that song was just preparing us all for the craziness that was about to go down during 2020. At the beginning of the year I set the goal to make this year a year of HOPE & HEALING. While this goal definitely didn’t go as planned, I still found a a way to develop a pattern of healing in my own life. The trials that 2020 brought into my life have allowed me to grow and heal in a whole new way that I didn’t know was possible.
Here are some of the most valuable lessons that the year 2020 has taught me:
- BAD DAYS ARE ALWAYS TEMPORARY
There are ALWAYS better days ahead. Even when you have a bad day, week, month, (or year), the sickness, pain or frustration you may be feeling WILL cease. Bad days are only temporary & there is always light in front of us. I especially needed this when I was experiencing a bad mental health days. This year brought a lot of anxiety into my life, so it has been super important to realize that these anxious feelings are temporary. With time, they always seem to go away. Be patient, and keep an optimistic perspective for the future.
2. KEEP YOUR FAMILY CLOSE!
Don’t take your loved ones for granted. Before the pandemic, I visited with my grandparents on a daily basis. However, after the pandemic shut down life as we knew it, we had to socially distance ourselves from our loved ones. This became particularly hard when my Grandma passed away unexpectedly. Oh, how I wish that I could call her one more time to tell her I love her. Just because you can’t see someone in person, don’t forget to reach out to them over the phone! We are so blessed to live in a world where we can communicate with our loved ones-even amidst the pandemic.
3. FOOD IS A POWERFUL HEALING TOOL
Food is one of the most healing tools that God has blessed us with. If we take time to nourish our bodies with healthy fruits and vegetables, you will see a huge difference in your life. In July I did Anthony William’s 3:6:9 cleanse and WOW-that cleanse changed my life. During that cleanse, I focused on taking out any processed or added ingredient and ate fruits and vegetables. Since that cleanse, I have tried to continue to drink lemon water and celery juice every single morning. Adding these two things into my morning routine has helped my health so much. I am definitely more aware about what goes into my body-and I love creating healthy whole food meals.
4. PAY ATTENTION TO INGREDIENTS
It is also important to watch what goes on your body. There are so many toxins that are found products that we put on our bodies daily. This year I tried to switch and do my best to use natural products with natural ingredients. Karalyn Call on Instagram runs an account called Just Ingredients. She has become my go to person for recommendations for clean products. Overall, I definitely have started implementing simple habits-like choosing to incorporate healthier products in my life. These habits have led to greater healing and happiness in my own life. I was so surprised when I started reading into all of the unnatural ingredients that were in my deodorants, cleansers, lotions, and beauty products. My skin and health has definitely improved from taking time to stay researched and informed about certain harmful ingredients.
5. BE WILLING TO TRY NEW THINGS
At the end of May, I decided to pick up a camera, and invest myself into the world of photography. I signed up for some online courses and fell in love with photography! I used all of the money I had saved up for to purchase a full frame camera and did a TON of free shoots! Soon enough I was able to start makings some extra money on the side, and found a past time that brought me so much joy! This is a reminder to go out and try new things! You NEVER know what amazing talents you can develop and how much it can change your outlook on life.
6. GOD ALWAYS HAS A BIGGER & BETTER PLAN
At the beginning of 2020 I was so confused and lost as to what changes I should make in my life. I was going back and forth between wanting to move away from home, or choosing to stay living at home. I went back and forth in deciding majors and which University would be best for me. I faced a lot of rejection in the dating world, and had my heart broken- a lot. However, I look at where I am now-in December 2020 and realize that God had a plan for me all along. I needed those trials to help me get to where I am now. Now I am working at a job that I love-got a promotion, and a pay raise, am engaged, planning a wedding and happier than I have ever been in my life! God really is SOOOO good!
XOXO// ALLY RIANNE
