8. Progress Begins with Taking Action

This may seem straightforward, but allow me to elaborate.

As I entered 2020 at 47, I felt the weight of burnout from my job of 16 years. Excited about my decision to leave that role in March to pursue freelancing, I anticipated newfound freedom.

Initially, I relished this freedom, but by summer, I struggled to rise each morning, particularly during the sweltering days of August in Japan.

However, I discovered that on the days I simply told myself, "Get up and go," my energy would return. Like a snowball rolling downhill, I gained momentum and accomplished most of my objectives.

The next time you feel unmotivated, try just getting up and moving. Automate your actions and give your mind a break—stop any excuses for inaction.

For instance, I approach my daily cold shower without overthinking it. I simply remove my clothes, turn the water to cold, and step in. Moments later, I emerge feeling invigorated!

I’ve never been a fan of Nike shoes, but their slogan “Just do it” resonates for good reason.

7. Music Remains the Best Therapy

How often do I need to remind myself of this? I adore listening to discussions on various topics, be it through podcasts, audiobooks, or YouTube.

Yet, I sometimes lose myself in this chatter and forget that my body craves rhythm and my heart sometimes needs to weep. Other times, my spirit longs for the uplifting power of music!

Moreover, music connects us as a human race, a sentiment that resonated deeply in 2020. Early in March, I stumbled upon a YouTube trend known as "reaction videos," where individuals watch and respond to music they’ve never encountered.

The first creator I found became a comforting presence, always uplifting my mood with his generous spirit and love for music, reinforcing the idea that music is indeed a universal language.

Thank you, musicians.

6. The Value of Questions in Conversations

In 2020, everyone seemed to have a strong opinion. Many disputes even strained relationships.

As someone adept at navigating diverse viewpoints, this aspect of the year took a psychological toll on me.

Fortunately, I came across insightful advice on a personal growth podcast in May: Instead of promoting my beliefs, I should ask questions and genuinely listen. When feelings of self-righteousness arose, I learned to explore those emotions and seek understanding.

This approach helped me maintain friendships with those who held differing views, allowing me to act as a bridge-builder in 2021.

Here's a technique for navigating passionate discussions: Recognize emotional surges, pause before responding, and instead ask clarifying questions. This fosters empathy and can lead to meaningful dialogues.

5. Laughter is Crucial in Difficult Times

The weight of 2020 made humor an essential antidote.

Over the past decade, I noticed an increasing tension in society, leading to a backlash against comedy. While this increased sensitivity is, for the most part, a positive shift, it has also stifled laughter.

In my observations, when opinions were stated too forcefully, humor suffered, creating a cycle that dampened joy for all involved.

I’m concerned that, as tech companies strive to cleanse their platforms, they rely on AI, which struggles to understand humor. As a result, many face suspensions for innocuous jokes, when we could use more laughter instead.

4. Nature's Wisdom is a Boundless Resource

I have always cherished nature, yet like many, I often find myself indoors.

With no job from April onwards, I made a concerted effort to immerse myself in the outdoors.

This was especially crucial in spring when emotions ran high, and social media discourse became overwhelming. I often found myself shutting my laptop and heading outside.

I enjoyed long bike rides—logging 1,000 kilometers monthly through September—often along riverside paths. I captured countless photos and took time to reflect in nature.

In addition to these experiences, I learned to observe and listen to the natural world, receiving messages of reassurance: "Everything is okay; this is an abundant world, and change is a natural part of life."

These reflections offered me solace and confidence that despite the chaos of 2020, a rhythm exists in nature's cycles.

My exploration of astrology further illuminated this concept, revealing that we exist within a universe governed by cycles. Difficult years will pass, just as positive ones will, reminding us to practice gratitude and patience.

3. Embracing Change is Essential

I had an ambitious plan in late 2019: to resign from my job, travel to America, and embark on a cross-country train journey to write about my experiences as an expat.

Then COVID-19 interrupted everything.

March was a month filled with denial about the viability of my plans. Eventually, I had to accept that my travel would be postponed.

Despite my hope in April and May that the situation would improve, it became clear that the nature of my trip—connecting freely with others—was no longer feasible.

This realization was disheartening, especially as I had left my job to pursue this dream. The subsequent months became a time for introspection.

While I grappled with this lesson, the arrival of autumn brought clarity. I recognized that this time alone allowed me to address personal matters that needed attention.

2. Prioritize Breathing

In early March, I consulted my Higher Self, asking two pivotal questions: 1) What is COVID-19? 2) What can I do to maintain my health?

The answer to the first question mirrored lesson #6: "It's a mystery." I've accepted that no amount of digging will yield definitive answers, so I should focus my energy elsewhere.

However, the response to my second query was emphatic: “Breathe, breathe, breathe.”

This encompassed both the physical aspect of breathing and the need for fresh air, as well as maintaining my daily Wim Hof breathing routine, which I have followed since May 2019.

This practice has significantly improved my well-being. I've also noticed deeper implications behind the message to breathe, especially in light of events like George Floyd's tragic death.

Are we allowing each other space to breathe on a personal level? Do our societal structures facilitate this?

1. The Importance of Integrity

Astrology played a role in my understanding of 2020. Many astrologers had anticipated significant cycles in the heavens, emphasizing the theme of integrity within our structures, both personally and collectively.

On a societal level, I liken our social frameworks to a mansion that, while appearing grand from the outside, has been compromised internally. When a storm strikes—much like COVID-19—it highlights pre-existing vulnerabilities.

Rather than blaming the storm, we should recognize that it merely exposed flaws in our societal foundations.

On a personal level, I faced the reality that a structure I relied on since the 1990s—my substance use—was no longer sustainable. To restore my integrity, I had to focus inward rather than outward.

Though I functioned in my professional life while battling addiction, I realized I was not living to my full potential. 2020 was the year I committed to change.

It was a challenging journey, involving several attempts to quit before reaching a turning point in November. I finally reached out for help and made a firm decision: no more drugs.

This commitment was tough, but I recognized that living authentically meant aligning my actions with my values.

Now, several weeks into this new chapter, I feel revitalized and grateful for the lessons of 2020.

So there you have it, the invaluable insights I gained from this challenging year. If I could converse with 2020, I would express my gratitude for the growth it prompted.

As we welcome 2021, I hope for a gentler experience. If you've also emerged from 2020 stronger, know that every moment offers a fresh start. Best wishes to you!

Thank you for reading! If you enjoy my work, please consider sharing it, connecting with me on social media, checking out my podcast, or exploring my novel, "The Teacher and the Tree Man."