Dear 2020
I can’t believe that we are still together.
2020 you have been a year and a half. “ How far can you stretch?” That’s the question for 2020. If you didn’t break me then you made me stronger.
I remember in Jan 2020 things were super cool. There was much rain even in January, the driest month. Everything was promising with the (20-20) double-double year ahead.
Towards the end of Dec came rumors that China had a strange disease. That was killing people in Wuhan. ..You know the story. The disease was spreading wide and nobody knew much about it.
Then in mid-Feb 2020 the news in Europe- Italy, Spain, Britain-was not any good. The same as my American pals, the ‘Rona’ was spreading wide like a bush fire.
Okay from Africa here things were a bit slow- We thought maybe it’s something to do with the weather and climatic changes. And maybe Africa was safe. We don’t experience winter just summer all the way. And we associate the flu with cold weather.
Trek 2020 just began
On March 16, 2020- 3 pm to be exact we got the first Corona case. I remember vividly as the Minister of Health made the announcement. Plus the containment measures. Just to mention a few.
- The immediate closure of schools
- Introduction of dusk to dawn curfew
- Social distancing
- Burning of physical contacts- No greetings, handshake, hagging
- Wearing of mask
- Controlled movement
- New rules to public transport- 8 people per bus trip
- Thermometers and thermoguns
- Closing of religious centers
- Social gathering- no weddings, no birthdays, no funerals
This was just insane….. How were we supposed to swallow, ingest, stick to, and buckle up to the new COVID protocols from nowhere?
Rules are rules – No exceptions.
These were not the kind of rules we break. The police, chief, city inspectors, village elders, and all law enforcers were given the power to enforce them.
The Covid laws were enforced with clubs, sticks, and buttons. For sure you don’t wanna mess with those guys… Even one had to bow down to Covid rules including to be inside your house by 7 pm on the dot.
Who will ever forget the “ Fellow-Kenyans …… speech at 3:00 pm by the Minster of health “We have lost…..people to Covid-19……people have been tested……. People are in ICU….. Bla Bla Bla.
What about the presidential speech. (Every first week of the month) ” Fellow Kenyans……. We are at war fighting an invisible enemy. I hereby instruct……”
The closure of all bars and nightclubs……. No sale of alcohol in the republic of Kenya…… No movement outside major cities…… No social gathering, weddings, funerals….. Schools are now isolation centers……
We all waited for the president to give new rules, change existing ones or open churches, bars, allow movements, taxes, announce new measures…….
Entering the new world.
The new norm was strange to all. “ Why do we have to put on a mask?” My son could ask- ‘Not to be caught by the police” You must have it all the time or you will go to jail.” That’s it my son could never remove his mask.
Why aren’t we going to school- “Corona” I could say make sure you wash your hands and sanitize. That’s all I knew about this strange disease.
We thought this thing was to last for a week then we go back to normal. For those who worked 9-5 jobs. This was like a mini holiday. Some few home parties chilling with friends, watching movies waiting for things to get back.
Then days turned to weeks, weeks to months, and now a year. People thought that they were going to go back to their work stations.
SHOCK on them they were laid off. Companies could use nice words like unpaid leave, break. recess.
But wait, that’s just a nice way to say no work- no money- no income.
Cut the story short
It happened to everyone,
Mass layoffs, No jobs, half to quarter pay for those who were lucky. What about the bills. As always they kept coming every month with no delay.
The world had just turned upside down. Our family finances were in complete chaos. My husband lost his job. And quickly we had to think of a way out.
- Cut cost- Look for a cheaper house
- Do bulk shopping- You save more when you buy in bulk
- Learn how to live together in a small house 24/7. Keeping your space right?
- Keeping my mind sane
In 2020 we lost 5 close relatives and friends to COVID-19.
Here is what worked for me.
Despite the uncertainties, unexpected peaks, and valleys 2020 has been the best year ever. I spent time with my family. Learned a lot about family, finances, Spiritual, and my mind. So let me share a breakdown of my best part of 2020.
Ready? Let’s get down to it.
Financial
My financial situation could have been a bloody mess thanks to the writing business that we had started in 2017.
Immediately my husband was laid off. I took him off the hook and trained him. Thanks, he is a first learner he now helps me edit and market my work. Such a nice asset.
What went on well
- I was able to add 3 clients
- Forced to go full-time
- Made adjustments moved to a smaller house
- Pay rents and bills
What didn’t go so well
- The income was small catering for basic only
- Working from home- Kid, husband all of them there the friction was too much
- The pressure to perform- as its the only business we eat
- Lost $5.5K deal to “force majeure “- The conference was canceled due to the global pandemic.
What to focus on next year
- Looking to get well-paying recurring clients
- Do more marketing
- Join writers networks
- Do a copywriting course
- Find work-home life balance
- Start a passive income project
Family
I thank God for my family. They were more than supportive during the year. My son loves soccer and that’s what he thinks of when he wakes up.
It was time to tell him stories, On the first month of lockdown we read a lot together thinking that the schools might be back.
Later it turned out like schools were gone forever. So the shift changed from academic learning to out-of-school learning. We could cook together, he enjoys cooking, cleaning, sweeping, and burning trash, and folding clothes. The new lessons were more fun than I thought.
My extended family used to call. I won’t forget how we had a Zoom call with my mom and dad. Of course, it was their first time and so much fun. To be honest, there was much pressure to put food on the table, But won’t equate to the joy and fun that I had with my family.
What to focus on the next year.
- Spend more time with my son
- Learn new skills together
- Set dedicated family time
Spiritual
As a Christian, I read the bible more to be precise each day. Thanks to the bible study guide that made it easy for me.
Although the churches were closed my spiritual health was stronger than ever. Our Daily Bread was a nice place to start my morning.
What to focus on next year.
- Join a bible study group
- Commit to reading one to two bible study guides.
Physical
Before Covid, I had gained weight. Not so much weight to notice but during the lockdown, things happened. I don’t know how I added 20 pounds in two months.
Yes maybe it’s because of stress, or maybe we were eating too much. So much leftover food that used to take in the morning. Or it’s just something that was happening with Covid staying at home theory.
My health is important and I had to take drastic actions.
What went on well
- Started an evening walk of 5 km per day
- Rope skipping
- Lifting dumbells
- No meat diet and more veggies
- Lost 10 pounds in a month
What didn’t go so well
- Inconsistency in physical training
- No meat diet- At some point break the rule
- Fluctuating weight gain vs weight loss can’t tell where I am going
What to focus on next year
- Join a health club
- Find out and adopt healthy eating- Not so sure which to follow
- Regular health checks cancer screening
- Adopt healthy leaving
Mental Learning and knowledge
The best part of 2020 came when I discovered myself.
With all this time available I turned to my old hobby. READING. But this time I did it bigger and better.
It had been long since I read actual books. But this time round I read anything and everything.
However, I enjoyed non-fiction books more but am looking to even check on sci-fiction.
Without any order here were my favorite books. Blogs, newsletters, and podcasts.
Books
- A Company of One -Paul Jarvis: Why staying small is the next big thing in business
- Trevor Noah Born a Crime
- Escape from Cubicle Nation- Pamela Slim: From corporate prisoner to thriving entrepreneur
- How to Deliver a Great TED Talk- Akash Karia: Presentation secrets for the world’s best speakers
- The Toyota Way-Liker, David Meier: The practical guide to implementing Toyota 4Ps
- Zero to One- Peter Thiel: Notes on Startups, or how to build the future
- Killer Flagship Content- Chris Garret: How to and promote truly compelling blog resources.
- Side Hustle- Chris Guillebeau: From idea to income in 27 days
- The Art of Nonconformity- Chris Guillebeau: Set your own rules, live the life you want, and change the world.
- The $100 Start-Up- Chris Guillebeau: Reinvent the way you make a living do what you love and create a new future.
- The Copywriter Handbook-Robert W. Bly: A step by step guide to writing copy that sells.
- How to write a Damn Great Novel-James N Frey
- Dreyer’s English- An utterly correct guide to clarity and style
- Everybody Writes- Ann Hanley: Your go-to guide to creating ridiculously good content
- Recession-Proof- Carol Tice
- Content Inc- Joe Pulizzi: How entrepreneurs use content to build a massive audience and create a radically successful business.
- Think and Grow Rich- Napoleon Hill
- Advertising secrets of the written words- Joe Sugarman: The ultimate resource on how to write a powerful advertising copy.
- All Marketers are Liars-Seth Godin: The power of telling authentic stories in a low trusted world.
- The 50th Law-50 Cent and Robert Greene: The fearless type
- 48 Laws of Power- Robert Greene
- You are a Badass- Jen Sanchiro: How to stop doubting your greatness and start living an awesome life.
- You are a Badass at Making Money- Jen Sanshiro: Master the Mindset of wealth
- Element of style- William Strunk & E.B White
- The power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas- Warren Berger
Blogs
- Marketing examples -Harry Dry: Sweet short practical marketing
- Zen Habits -Leo Babauta: productivity expert
- Digital Matchmaking – Jade Craven
- Elna Cain
Courses
- Introduction to SEO by MOZ
- Content Marketing Certification- Hubspot
- Learning how to learn– Dr. Barbara Oakley & Dr. Terrence Senjowiski
Best communities and newsletters
- Indie Hacker
- Anne- Laure Le Cunff
- Online geniusis Slack group for marketers
Podcasts
What to focus on next year.
- Read 52 books one book per week
- Read and write notes
- Start a blog to share my knowledge
- Be active on forums
- Connect with avid readers
- Build and stock a home library
- Learn a foreign language- Maybe Russian
- Unclog my mind through meditation
One of the best parts of 2020 is my quest to learn new things.
I think maybe this is what has kept me sane this year. A closer look my dad used to love books. He had old English books, an atlas, an old dictionary, newspapers.
How can I forget the word “ antidisestablishmentarianism “ he used to boast this is the longest word and made us memorize it when I was 4 years old.
Maybe the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. And I will take the quest for knowledge a little higher in 2021.
Sum it Up
2020 was great. Not that I made much but it made me connect with my inner self.
I am now stronger and know the direction I would like my life to go. Let bygone be bygones forge ahead with the new me.
What have you learned in 2020? What are you going to do differently? Share your love in the comment section.
Yours truly
