It seems some of you have noticed I haven’t been writing lately. For those who were concerned, thank you for your nice notes but no I wasn’t sick, well physically anyway. For some reason I just stopped writing. I had lots of topics I wanted to address, but literally could not make myself sit down and do it. Instead I just checked out and opted to float for awhile.
I’ve decided it’s due to the stress of this crazy year. We in Utah started with a bang, In February Covid appeared on the horizon, and I watched in amazement as people in China donned face masks and refused to leave their homes. Hot on the heels of this disturbing development Utah experienced a 6.0 earthquake which caused major damage. Two days later, lockdown.
My place of employment, closed its doors and we were all assigned to work from home. Unfortunately, this did not compute. I work in a library, I help people find books. I check books in and out, I pull holds off the shelves. This is not a job one can do from home. Luckily my employers were flexible. We were given other tasks to do and were still able to keep our jobs, for which I am forever grateful, but it wasn’t long before I really missed my job.
In the meantime, our society cracked open with the murder of George Floyd. Riots broke out and we watched in horror as people fought in the streets, occupied public areas and vandalized stores, all in the name of the racial equality.
Then we were back to natural disasters. California held it’s annual fire storm, but this year it was so much worse. At one point it seemed there’d be nothing left to burn if the fires continued to rage. Other states jumped on the bandwagon and in Oregon my poor mother was evacuated from her home as flames licked the edges of her neighborhood.
The icing on the cake has been the appalling and cringe-worthy presidential election. The initial presidential debate left me stunned and sick to my stomach. Is this what we’ve become? Bullies pushing and shouting in the schoolyard? What happened to the professionalism, dignity and honesty that supposedly goes with the office of President of the United States?
I tried to unplug from the daily chaos that was the presidential race but it wasn’t always possible. I dreaded reading about the topic, yet kept getting sucked in. I felt like someone who’d stumbled upon a grisly auto accident and couldn’t make myself look away. When I realized that my heart would start to race whenever I read the latest election news, I finally got a grip and quit checking my google feed.
So now that it’s finally over, its really not. There are too many casualties, one of those being my confidence in my country’s democratic system. Seriously, can we all just calm down? If your side lost, try to move on. If your side won, be considerate of other’s disappointment.
While nobody likes a sore loser, there is much to be said for being a gracious winner. I read about someone driving a truck around Washington DC with a large picture of Donald Trump painted on the side, along with the words Loser. Badly done winners. I distance myself from people who gloat.
So how do we get back to ourselves? Somehow we need to to start acting like adults and not hormonal teenagers run amuck. We need to get back to America, the beacon on the hill. Lets rise up and shake hands and let go of our fury. 2020 is waning and a new year is almost upon us.
Lets do it better . . . I want to be able to write again
Have you been overwhelmed by 2020? What are you doing to keep your spirits up?.
The Library Lady Travels 
I am so happy to hear that you are not physically sick Geanie. Emotionally sick and drained is understandable. I read, read and read over this year to keep my brain busy and occupied. Even though I live in Canada, we were also sucked into the presidential quagmire. Things might be turning the corner. With a vaccine being rolled out, I pray that by mid 2021, we will have a handle on the virus and life will return to some semblance of what it once was. The funny thing is, I hope we don’t go back to everything, there were some bright lights like a slower lifestyle, appreciating the small things. Happy New Year to you!
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Thanks Carla, I agree with you. There have been some good things that have come about with staying home more. Learning how to Zoom – my kids have gotten really creative with zoom games like family feud etc. – and just kicking back a little more. It’s made me stop rushing around so much and now I can see that a lot of my have to’s weren’t really necessary. Also, Thank goodness for good books!
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I have found so much stuff and so many things that I thought were important that I have been able to do without. I am so happy for technology to keep connected with family and friends as well as good books and Netflix. They have all kept me sane. We are in another lockdown here, so I am hunkered down watching comedy shows on Netflix because I need a laugh.
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Thank you for writing this.I have found settling to anything very difficult. This should have been an ideal time or writing – after all I cant complain about not having the time – but – I cant write if I’m down, and I cant write if I have nothing to write about. that’s not entirely true, but I just havent been able to concentrate. the worry for me is not so much the pandemic, though that has taken its toll – I suffer a lot with cabin fever, but more the idea of Brexit which is worrying me dreadfully. the lack of freedom of movement which our delightful government is advertising on its website as a good thing. How can repression of any kind be a good thing?
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Hi Basia,
I hear you. At first, I couldn’t concentrate on anything. I couldn’t even get through a book, and reading is my favorite pastime. Luckily I’m O.K. with being home a lot, I think I’m kind of a hermit at heart, but enough is enough.!
Our political situations certainly don’t help matters. We just suffered through the most embarrassing presidential election ever, and like you say, you have Brexit. All we can do is keep taking one day at a time. I’m trying to count my blessings instead of my problems, but some days that takes a lot of willpower. Thanks for sharing your point of view. It’s always good to hear from you.
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Welcome back. I can relate, I didn’t write or blog at all in October. Life pled up and it all just felt a bit much. This year has been a stinker! When I read things like, ” Let’s rise up, shake hands and let go of our fury ” it makes me feel that there is always hope. Please keep writing, the world needs more of this. Here’s to a better year ahead.
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Thanks Helen, Lots of people agree with you. This year was a stinker. I think things will start to get better soon. We have a vaccine n the way and I may be wrong, but I think people are kind of burned out on political strife and protests for a while. Thanks for stopping by. We’ll keep our fingers crossed for next year.
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I thought about giving up blogging all together as I was losing interest during those times and just feeling down overall, so I can empathize with your feelings. Welcome back.
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Hi Tierney, Glad you’re still here. I used to think my biggest problem with blogging was a lack of time, but even when I had all the time in the world recently I still wasn’t writing. Maybe we just need to take a break every now and then. Are you still making your beautiful quilts? I think having a creative hobby is a great blessing in times like these. Thanks for checking in.
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I like your measured account of life jn the US during 2020. Over here in Victoria Australia we started with terrible bushfires then staggered on into interminable lockdowns that went for much of the year. So much has shifted this year and the old certainties have crumbled. My response has been to shelter in place and write poetry.
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I know, your fires were the worst. I felt for you guys. I’m glad you can take comfort in your poetry, having a creative hobby that you can get lost in is a blessing.
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Thank you. Creativity has helped many this year I think.
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I feel what you write and also appalled at the ungraciousness of difference. Not from the USA I commented on another not from the USA post and said I am so glad I don’t have to vote because I would battle with iether candidate.. I was called a right wing fascist cult follower with no brain cells thrown in somewhere.
I find the debate lockdown or not has equal venom.. ALthough my 1 km 1 hour from home had me loosing myself in the forest paths behind my house we are now on 20km 3 hours out so a lot better.. ;-).. Take care and stay safe.. 😉
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Voting this year was a tough decision. What it finally came down to it I had to vote for someone whom I didn’t necessarily agree with, but who stood for unity and integrity, and who would take this Covid plague seriously.
Thinking of you lost in the forest. LUCKY!
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We will (fingers crossed) celebrate our 250th Birthday in 2026. Much of our bragging rights has always been the successful and peaceful transfer of power. I was afraid that would not happen this year (and still may not). I did feel marginally better after Trump begrudgingly let President-elect Biden have the funds and access that the incoming administration is normally entitled to. 2020 has been horrible on so many different levels.
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Yes, I’m finally starting to relax a little. I don’t think I could take another election like this one. Maybe we as a country are of crankiness and will decide to lighten up a bit in 2021. (Fingers crossed too.)
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We are all in underground tunnel. Something we never expected ..we are in lockdown again..all restaurants, museums, stadiums etc are closed. Never saw so many riots around the world.
Blogging helps my mind..so happy to see you back again 💓
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I’ve actually been surprised at myself. I would have thought writing would be my escape, but somehow got totally blocked. It’s been a crazy time, hasn’t it? Best wishes.
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Walking my dog 🐕 soothes my mind..she my best friend.
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Welcome back! So glad you were able to keep your job. It’s been quite a year hasn’t it? Certainly, this year has overwhelmed me as well. I’ve been focusing on my blog and other hobbies and just trying to stay calm and control what I can.
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That’s me, trying to stay calm and not get too carried away with the storm outside. One thing I have been able to do is clean. Closets, storerooms, bookshelves, you name it. And from the line of cars at the donation centers I’d guess I’m not the only one. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
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Great use of the lockdown time. I’ve also done a little decluttering especially the paper form.
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so very glad that you kept your job, and finally learnt to ignore the ‘news’! Two very big steps in this time of trouble. Take care
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I was actually quite good at ignoring the news until the election started heating up. Now that things have calmed down again I think I’ll go back to my happy place and tune out the bad stuff. Yes, having a job these days is a huge blessing.I feel very lucky. Thanks for stopping by.
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my pleasure, keep up the good work!
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A tough year, and on top of all of that there is the climate crisis, and here in the UK, the uncertainty of the act of self-harm known as Brexit.
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I know, it just never seems to stop. I feel like this post was kind of a downer too, and am going to try and focus on more positive topics from now on. Thanks for reading and leaving your thoughts.
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Welcome back. 2020 has been one for the record books in terms of generating stress and discomfort. I hope we can move forward and recover some of what we have lost.
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Hi Dan, I’m glad everyone hasn’t given up on me. I kept thinking I need to post something or people will think I’ve gone AWOL. I guess I kind of was, but hope to get back on track. Here’s to 2021!
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I never give up on people. Lots of things get in the way of blogging. It’s ok, we’ll be here.
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Well, welcome back!
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Thanks, it’s good to hear from my friends.
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I saw a t-shirt that summed it all up. The shirt had a picture of the car from Back to the Future on it and the caption said “Marty, no matter what you do don’t go to 2020” It has been that kind of year. The world and our nation in particular needs healing. A wise man recently proposed that one important step we need to take is to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Perhaps we all need to count our blessings more often and look around and see how we can bless the lives of others,,,eliminate hate, minimize selfishness and cultivate common sense and common courtesy.
Welcome back Library Lady, I hope you can travel again soon.
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Thanks Bestadman, you just said it better than I ever could. I love the idea of gratitude and counting your blessings. I can’t think of a better way to rise above this mess. Thanks for your good words.
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I have found it hard to write as well. We have not had all the craziness you have had but we are in our second lock down. I just need people to bounce ideas off. It seems more difficult now it is cold and dark. I am glad some normality is returning to American politics and welcome you back on the world stage.
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Thanks Anne, I’m glad to hear it’s not just me who’s struggling to write amidst the chaos. I’m hoping things begin to calm down now that the election is finally winding down.
I know what you mean about the cold and dark too, it gets dark at 5:30 here! Thanks for the comment.
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I wish there was a way to leave comments on your fun blog!
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It’s good to have you back! =) 2020 has been a crazy year all over the world and I think by now every country on this planet has a tale to tell. It’s been a tough year and it’s certainly not been an easy one, but I still hope that there’ll come a day when things will get better again. XD 2021 just has to be better.
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Hi Sassy, We certainly do have a story to tell and everyone’s is different. It’s good to hear from you and I’m feeling positive about the year to come. thanks for chiming in.
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