December is over and we finally find ourselves in a new year after what seemed like one of the longest years of many of our lives. I’m never normally one to wish away time, but I can’t help but feel a little bit guilty about how I wished some of 2020 to pass more quickly. However, upon reflection, despite the current state of the world and despite the struggles 2020 brought me - I am still grateful for the experiences and lessons it brought me too.

I’ve always believed that all life is precious, be it human, animal or other. All life is worthy and all life should be treated with respect and not taken for granted. That’s why despite this year I have tried to be grateful for what I have because I actually am blessed to have a lot more than most in this world. I have a roof over my head, I have food to eat, clean water running out of my taps, a healthy body, a loving partner, a wonderful family, supportive friends and a whole life to enjoy all of these things.

My physical freedom may have been limited this year - I haven’t always been able to go places I’ve wanted to go or see the people I have wanted to see. But I am still here and I still have the mental and spiritual freedom to grow and learn more about myself. This year I have dedicated more time to things that I love than I ever have - I have taken more time to explore nature, spent time exploring old passions like drawing and reading, nurtured and worked on relationships that are important to me and taken longer to walk the walks I have done hundreds of times. Because, although life can seem restricted right now, it is still there to be enjoyed.

I feel that 2020 has refreshed my love for life, taught me to appreciate the little things and made me realise that it’s more important to do the things we love more often. But it’s also important to do the things you have to do and that you perhaps don’t enjoy - but find the enjoyment and beauty in them anyway. Not everyone is privileged to worry about something at work, to be healthy enough to clean their home or to have disagreements with their loved ones. Some people don’t have any of these things. But I do and that in itself is something beautiful.