It was a year like no other. That’s for sure. 2020 will be remembered by all those who lived through it as a difficult year. It would be completely tone-deaf to say it wasn’t that bad. So many lives lost, so many people impacted, so many jobs gone, and so many of life’s plans put on hold, hopefully until a new normal takes shape in 2021.
Like so many, I had friends lose loved ones this year to COVID-19, and others had to say goodbye to relatives over video calls. Many people in my network found themselves out of work, and others saw their small businesses and life’s work put on hold by the pandemic. It’s been a hard year.
It would be fair to say 2020 was “a hot mess, inside a dumpster fire, inside a train wreck” (to borrow a phrase), but here’s what I’m taking away from the year that was.
Family
This year, I got to spend more time with my family under one roof than ever before. Of course, there were the occasional annoyances here and there, and we could never really get on the same sleep or meal schedule, but overall, I treasure the time we had together to binge-watch shows, plow through old SNL videos on YouTube, and welcome our newest family member, Kiki the pandemic Holland Lop bunny.
Friends
Remember when we used to make reservations weeks in advance at the latest restaurant we just had to try and then spend hours coordinating our social calendars with friends around all of our kids’ busy schedules? If the pandemic taught me one thing, it’s that it’s not the setting that matters. It’s who’s there with you. We had just as many laughs and the food and beverages were just as tasty sitting socially distanced in someone’s backyard this past summer as sitting on a loud and crowded patio. As the weather got colder, we even managed to host a couple of socially distanced dinners in our very adaptable garage. One evening featured wings and beer with the guys watching an NFL game projected on the wall, and another was take-out from a local restaurant with great friends in our sweatpants while warmed by a space heater in early December. Two of the many memorable nights we spent simply enjoying the company of friends this year without all the planning and preparation we’d become so accustomed to.
Work
Many have pointed out that the pandemic forced a number of market trends to accelerate in 2020. Online shopping went through the roof, working from home has become the norm, and the home spin studio is likely here to stay. I had a plan to spend a few years back in an agency setting after spending 15 years in a series of corporate communications roles. That plan was upended and I also found my timeline accelerated by the pandemic. These last six months have been the most exhilarating and rewarding time of my career with the launch of Frequency PR Inc. I’ve had the opportunity to connect and work with some tremendously inspiring entrepreneurs, business leaders, and brands on a variety of communications and PR challenges. I feel more connected to my clients and their businesses than ever before, and I am thankful for these partnerships and the trust my clients put in me to help them meet their communications objectives and grow their businesses during these challenging times.
Team
I recently had the chance to connect with a former colleague and friend who is wise beyond his years. While we caught up on work, family and reminisced about old times over Zoom, he said something that has stuck with me these last few days. In 2020 we learned the character of those who are really on our team. I couldn’t have said it better, so thank you Drew Campbell for making me realize what really matters.
Here’s to a healthier and happier 2021 filled with more meaningful family time, simpler times with friends, and fulfilling work with clients who value what we do.
Cheers,
Perry