Written by: Phindile Le Bris Sithole-Spong
It’s easy to feel despondent and sad about the state of the world. But if 2020 has taught us anything it is that we have no real control over some aspects of our lives. Which is why learning to appreciate where you are and what you have achieved is important. At the beginning of the year when I was pregnant, I had so many plans for where and how my life would move this year. Not only for myself but also for my family and for my work. But as the world started to change due to COVID-19, I had to make some adjustments. Some necessary, some unseen and some difficult.
But as the year nears closer to the end and life looks nothing like it did at the beginning. I am starting to see the beauty of it all. How much I have learnt and grown. Sure, most of this was unplanned but looking back at it, it was necessary. Taking the good with the bad has allowed me to have a clearer path for my future. But also appreciate where I am, and what I have learn’t. One of the main lessons being to stay present and stay open to what ever life throws my way. And to be able to change as life expects.
This has been true as a new mom of a now seven month old, an editor of platform I love, and someone living in a country that is not my home. Whilst I will be the first to admit that things have not always been good. I will say that I am glad I went through them and gotten out the other end. From knowing that I cannot always be with my daughter 24 hours a day. But that when I am with her I can give her as much of my attention as possible. To finding new ways to communicate with loved ones back at home in meaningful ways. And finding new ways to ignite my passions and explore my creativity.
Nowadays I take each day as it comes, and try to take comfort in what I do have and things I can control. Things like my mental and physical health and the things I chose to make time for every day. For me this includes making my weekly almond milk, to working out every day (even if its just a walk). And making time for myself each and every single day even with my full schedule. Because I have come to realize that when I am well, those around me are well too. And at the end of the day, the best we can give our loved ones is ourselves. A little battered and bruised, but always ready ad willing to fight another day.
