Now that the holiday season is winding down, it’s time to figure out what comes next in 2021.
I want to get back to routines that bring joy, routines I took for granted before the pandemic and dumpster fire of 2020.
After missing out on so many social events in 2020, from milestone birthdays, to standing plans with friends, to date nights, I anticipate celebrating with (and actually seeing) loved ones and friends again.
Birthday parties, airplane travel, and play dates at the park…
Sorry, I drifted off into dreamland for a moment.
What Comes Next For Me in 2021
On the simpler side, I want to browse at the library, both by myself and with my kids. Our library is currently pickup-only. My lifetime love for reading was cultivated wandering through the library and happening upon a special read. I want my kids to do that, too.
Selecting a book off a digital app just isn’t the same as a cover catching my eye. Picking up a book and reading the back, then the first couple of pages, before deciding to bring a book home has allowed me to visit some amazing fictional worlds over the years.
Wandering the mall is something else I haven’t wanted to do lately. I’m in and out, usually picking up at the counter or staying just long enough to return something at the counter. I currently shop online instead of going into the store.
But I miss going to the mall to browse, picking up a drink from the food court to enjoy while I stop in at a few favorite stores, or making a day of a mall outing with the kids.
On an important personal note, I’d also like to take a cross-country trip out to see my mom or bring her here to see the kids. Given the factor of her age, though, I haven’t wanted to risk her health during the pandemic.
Phone calls and video chats are imperfect substitutes for the real thing. While getting her on a video call possibly saved my Diwali cooking this fall, both of us usually reserve video calls for special occasions, not our regular conversations.
What Comes Next in 2021 For You?
While I typically don’t make New Year’s resolutions, I do want to focus on appreciating what “normal” really looks like. 2020 taught me not to take a quick Starbucks run or a lunch date with a friend for granted.
What are you most looking forward to in 2021?