2020 sucks? Maybe …
6 reasons why that isn’t true for everybody.
Reason 1: I work in the tech industry.
Tech industry has seen a big boost in 2020. The biggest of the tech companies that got a boost was companies like Zoom. The number of people working from home has suddenly become the norm of the white collar office jobs around the world. Before this type of video call technology was used by mostly freelancers who were “Nomads”. Check out the an example of this in the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAqYoNc7_h4
Other group of tech companies that got biggest boosts are the e-commerce companies of the world and all their supporting companies. Amazon comes to mind as one the biggest winners here. Shopify also got a huge boost.
Can you identify more? Are you one of those who can say this is why 2020 didn’t suck for you? Have you been victim of Zoom bombing?
Reason 2: I am working from home with my family
I know, not all of you are going to say this. Some have ended their long term relationships, while others decided to go through with weddings through Zoom. Many still are adjusting and getting better with life and stronger as families.
Who will survive. Will marriages get stronger or weaker? Will your kids finally get to spend time with you? Will you finally get to spend time with your kids?
Reason 3: I got the best sleep of my life, since I don’t have to commute.
Mind you if you are mentally anxious person, this may not be a true fact for you. The commute is usually the reason of hell of many. However, there are others that has used that time of commute to do great things. Elon Musk even came up with the idea of the Boring Company in a commute.
Others have written whole Novels while in the commute. People used their commute to do Uber to bring in a second income stream. Many used their commute to work on side gigs.
Others used the commute to catch up on sleep. Catch up on chores that can be done via phone, internet or other means.
What is your story? Did you get rid of a commute? What benefits did you receive or harm did that cause you?
Reason 4: I got the best vacations of my life
I’m not sure who could actually say this. Go to a hotel, you don’t have daily cleanups. Many cities don’t allow Airbnb anymore. Many Uber or taxi rides are a chance to catch COVID. You have to register everywhere, instead of just walking in
Still, somehow this year I got to see more of Ontario than I have in the 21 years. I got to go hiking only 30 minutes from my home. I went to a beach bon fire with friends. I went to more bbq’s by myself and my close group of friends than any other year.
I got to line up to enter grocery stores. The number of people you meet when you are forced to slow down. I met a grandma of 5. I got to meet dads, moms, sisters, business folks. I also got to meet some really rude people. Thankfully, most of the folks I met are amazing people who I am glad to have met.
Reason 5: My first ever job without face to face meeting anyone
I got a brand new job, in many ways better than my previous employment. I went through interview between the flexible timing I have now. I’ve never gotten a job without at least 1 face to face interview.
I have done “face” to face via video call. I have pair programmed with a team member. I got to get introduced, and go on “virtual team building” since I started.
Definitely the modern age. I’m not sure I want to completely get rid of face to face, but for now I’m glad to have the ability to have a job in a time when many are losing theirs. If it weren’t for modern age, I wouldn’t have the job right now.
Reason 6: First time ever, I got to see drive through light show
First time ever I saw a drive through light show. I’ve only seen walking light shows before this.
My kids really enjoyed the visits with Santa as well (socially distanced off course) in one of the floors of this drive through.
It’s nice visiting the North pole inside what is normally a boring multi-level parking structure. Hey, only in a pandemic can we come up with such an idea.
This should give one hope, as there are always new ways to bring joy into your life, no matter what is happening out there.
Conclusion
Life leading many in many different directions. Some good, some bad. We lost many good people. Latest is Kader Khan, some of the oldest and great TV actors in Bangladesh. We have also made some great strides. We have made the fastest identification in virus genomes ever. Fastest vaccine development ever. First ever global distribution of any vaccine. First ever true recognition of rights towards minorities. First ever true vision of the fact Humans aren’t the masters of this world, as a virus can take out most of civilisation’s power.
This by no way belittles anyone who is going through the toughest times of his/her life. I am one to be very lucky to have a job today. To have a healthy family. To have parents who survived covid-19 infection with ultimately mild symptoms. They were lucky enough to be hospitalised at a time when plenty of hospital resources were available. I cannot begin to fathom what you are going through and I won’t insult you by trying to understand. Some things are not possible with first hand experience.
All I can do is pray for quick recoveries of both our health and our economy so all of us in dire situations can finally have some relief.
Happy New year everyone, and may we continue to make great strides towards a happier and healthier society 2021 and beyond.