Hello there, Casey here coming to you from January 2021. It has taken me a bit of time to get on here and chat with you all. As we all know 2020 was… well, it happened. Then 2021 came and things felt different but the same. It felt like the awful things kept coming and that we were still trapped in what felt like the longest and quickest year of our lives. But I am not here to focus on the bad that happened, because we were all affected in some way by 2020. This isn’t that kind of year in review. But before I move on to other things, I thought I would do a quick run down of some of the good that I experienced this year.

This year I became passionate about reading again. Audible became such a wonderful way to escape in the pages of a book whether I was lounging around the house, cooking in the kitchen, or commuting once I started working again. I listened to a lot of books this year that I had read before to feel a sense of comfort and familiarity during such unfamiliar times (aka Harry Potter and Twilight). I also watched a lot of shows and movies. So many Friends episodes kept me company this year. I laughed through a rewatch of New Girl, was charmed by Emily in Paris, distracted by Love Island, and sucked into Criminal Minds. 

I was all of a sudden spending so much time at home, and for the first time since college I had nothing to do. I stayed in pjs all day some days. I had a glass of wine in the middle of the day on a Tuesday. Anything went in 2020… 

In 2020 I surpassed some goals, set aside others, and I re-assessed my life in ways I hadn’t in some time. I successfully stayed away from using hot tools on my hair all year. I created a completely clean and cruelty free beauty routine. I also reevaluated what was important to me in my life, and made decisions that will lead me to being a happier person. 

This year I spoke with family and friends more than ever. We’ve zoomed, facetimed, and communicated more than ever. I got engaged in October and ended this year the happiest I have ever been. Although we were all so far apart this year I felt so much love. 

I know we are all more than ready to say goodbye to 2020, but there are some moments that I am incredibly grateful for, and will always look back on with a smile.