As I look forward to the New Year of 2021, I need to reflect on what will soon be the Old Year (and thank F, aimiright?!?).
I started 2020 newly single and subsequently about to leave the country, funemployed, and living under someone else's stairs Harry Potter style, minus the magic wand. That's completely untrue - single Sheri DEFINITELY had a magic wand whose powers dimmed the lights for the entire subdivision while in use.
Leaving the country for nearly two months certainly aided in the process of getting over a boy. I embraced the balm of space and time and let equatorial sunsets, ocean waves, new travel buds, and the best damn cousin in the whole world distract me from mourning my old life and moving towards one whose shape I could not yet see. That act, that conscious decision, to let the people that loved me to care for me cemented some feelings of place and security in the town I now think of as home.
I've been reflecting on home and place and belonging in a landscape for a while now. No breakthroughs or deep realizations, but a strong confirmation that community matters A LOT to me. Community as a synonym for town, sure, but more intimately as a collection of people that care for and take care of each other.
Turns out I'm a social introvert that NEEDS human interaction and touch. Having physical contact in the forms of hugs from friends and regular massage taken away for months was gruelling and when I felt the loneliest and lowest this year. Touch, and not even in a sexual sense, is near impossible to replicate and something I find so soothing and comforting.
Community takes many forms for many people - book clubs, sports teams, coworkers, housemates, family, many besties. My community, my network, my support is multiple sports teams and clubs, a gaggle of diverse girlfriends, a cousin bestie on speed dial, and coworkers I deeply trust and respect. It took time and effort to build this for myself in Dawson Creek, but the love, support, and returns I've received have been deeply nourishing in what should have been an isolating and lonely year.
I strongly credit the role physical activity and conscious exercise played towards positive mental health this past year. Frequent power walks around town for groceries, dog walks, errands, or just simply to leave the house and get out of my head. Leisurely bike rides around Dawson Creek's gravel and paved side roads. Hiking the trails around Tumbler Ridge At-home weights and HIIT videos that I did "together" with my friend across town. Swimming. New sports of curling and cross country skiing. As an athlete, I know how to care for my physical body, so that's what I comfortingly returned to and simply hoped my emotional and mental health would follow. It mostly worked. Most of the time.
So while 2020 was not what or where I thought it would be, I am still pretty damn proud of a handful of accomplishments:
- Bought my first place
- Solo two-night backpacking trip in Jasper
- Received RPF designation
- Recerted NL
I hope 2021 sees you enveloped in community and love - whatever, and whomever, and where ever that means to you!
