The year that tried to break me...

Look at me writing three blog posts in a year, and we're not even finished yet!

It's been a crazy year, hasn't it? One full of reflection and angst, which is probably why I've managed to write more than one post! It's been a year where I've felt great joy one minute and almost hit a pit of despair the next (and that's when I've felt like Andy Samberg in the GIF lol). It has been challenging for me and many others, but it's also let other people flourish and shine. If you're one of those people, I commend you. Either way, we're all doing what we can to make it through, and we're doing a bloody fantastic job of it!

I wanted to share with you, a piece I wrote recently. I'm the VP of the local writers' group here, and each month we have assignments to do. Last month was "... and then my car broke down." I've struggled to write a lot this year, but this assignment was a form of therapy I guess. I wrote about the events of this year and how I'm not going to let it get me down, so I thought I'd share it with you guys. Everything in this story has happened to me this year, and then some. I'm sure many of you will be able to relate to at least some of it. 
Here goes...

The year that tried to break me.

2000 was meant to be my year. It was the year I was going to accomplish great things and reach the goals I’d been striving so long to achieve. Apparently, 2020 didn’t get the memo.

It started off as I intended; weight loss, fitness improving, crossing things off my ever-growing to-do list… and then my account got hacked. Minor issue. Inconsequential even. But that was merely the tip of the iceberg in the year that was trying to crush my soul.

I’ve always thought of myself as a positive person. Someone who can find the light in the darkness and move forward. So, I did what needed to be done then carried on with my plans of world domination.
2020 had other ideas in store for me.

We had a death in the family right as the world was thrown into a global crisis, and something I never thought I’d see in my lifetime happened. We went into a full lockdown. Isolated. No socialising. Each of us pacing the house like caged lions as we watched the newsreels in horror. Wages were cut and job security was up in the air. It was a testing time for many, myself included, but I tried to remain positive and took the time to find myself again and enjoy my family.

When we were finally allowed out again, I was all set to go forth with my new goals and decisions, and then I lost the diamond to my engagement ring. A few days later, our shower began to leak. Then our family holiday to Australia was cancelled. No big deal. That’s what insurance is for, right?

2020 laughed in my face.

I turned my attention to my work, trying to forge forward and get noticed, only to be met with rejection. I’m ashamed to say 2020 almost won. I may have taken a moment or two to wallow in self-pity and question my goals in life at this point. But after a kind word from my husband and some friends, I pulled up my big girl panties and pushed on through.

We booked a family trip to Christchurch to give the children a semblance of a holiday. We woke the first morning to find ants had ransacked the kitchen and taken up residence in our muffins for the next day. The breakers went out and the heater in the bathroom began to smoke. And all the attractions we went to see were not as we had hoped. Such is life.

And then, as if that wasn’t enough, on our way home, the car broke down. Well, that’s not entirely accurate; my seatbelt broke halfway between Ashburton and Christchurch, and all I could do was hope we didn’t crash.

2020 has tried its damndest to break me, but it won’t succeed, because I refuse to let it dim my sparkle.


And I hope you don't let it dim yours either. Love to you all!

Stay safe xxx