By Wendy Lee Nentwig

 As you said good riddance to 2020 and welcomed 2021, your first instinct may have been not celebration, but hibernation. Last year was so traumatic that it’s understandable if you were wary of making bold declarations or resolutions in a world that feels increasingly out of control. It’s understandable, but it’s not the most productive approach to a new year. 

Each January offers us a gift: a clean slate, a fresh opportunity to think about where we’re headed and to adjust course or ponder what we’d like to accomplish in the months ahead. And you may find this surprising, but 2021 may be an even better time to do that than in past years. Everything is so different than it was a year ago, which can be unsettling, but there is also freedom in the upheaval. With social distancing constraints still in effect and social activities limited, why not use that extra time to learn a new skill, pursue a hobby, take an online course, or finally explore ways to turn a passion or pastime into a side business or full-time career? 

Here are some tips for making the most of 2021’s blank slate:

Take a quick look back before moving forward. Before you make concrete plans for 2021, take time to celebrate all you accomplished – and survived – in 2020! Make a list, pore over last year’s calendar, or review old social media posts to help remind you of how much you made it through. Need help coming up with some bright spots? Smog levels in big cities dropped dramatically, family time increased, and wild animals like the coastal nesting birds featured in this Audubon.org report thrived. 

Realize you’re in better shape than you think. We became masters at flexing our resiliency muscles in 2020, and working out builds stamina. In business, education, charities, and places of worship, “pivot” became the new buzzword. Those who were able to think outside the box, were often rewarded, as Fortune.com reported. We learned to pivot in our private lives as well. It may have had you feeling like a contortionist at times, but your newfound flexibility will make it easier than ever to try new things or find new ways to do what you’re already doing.

Take control of what you can. Not everything changed in 2020. While there was a lot not to like, there is still some familiar to be found. National news sources and local health officials warned, “for our mental health, focus on the things you can control.” It’s advice that began as soon as the pandemic reached US shores.  You can’t control virus rates nationwide, save struggling businesses hit hard by COVID, or predict what might happen with your own job, savings, or living situation. Don’t get bogged down in what you can’t do. Instead, do the small things that are in your power. Support restaurants and other local businesses as you can afford to. Reach out to family, friends, and neighbors online or from a safe distance to offer support and encouragement. And take the precautions prescribed by health officials to do your part to stop the spread of this virus. 

Consider something new. Some of the biggest success stories begin with some of the toughest breaks. You may be down, but you’re not out. Now is the perfect time to turn to online resources to learn a new skill, build that website you’ve been putting off, or pursue a certification or training that can make you more marketable. You can also use social media and email to network if you find yourself out of work.

A New Mindset Is Needed Now More Than Ever

We’ve all felt the pain of 2020, whether it was through illness, separation from loved ones, job loss, political and social unrest, or missing out on important life events like weddings, graduations, and births. Pandemic parents are struggling as they adjust to overseeing school at home, singles are experiencing isolation, children are dealing with fear and loneliness, the elderly are confronting the reality that they’re more likely to get seriously ill. 

I’m not suggesting you ignore the negative: your grief and pain are real, and they need to be dealt with. But research from the Mayo Clinic has shown that maintaining a positive attitude can lower stress, making all of those realities easier to handle as you move through 2021. And if you do find you need some additional help, inpatient and outpatient treatment is available to address emotional trauma, depression, anxiety, other co-occurring mental health issues, and drug or alcohol addiction.