It’s that time of year again: Thanksgiving season! I know that 2020 hits a lot differently than the usual year. I find myself getting so caught up in the craziness of the world around me, namely the divisiveness of our country, a global pandemic and online classes. I sometimes feel like there is so much that is wrong and none of it will get better any time soon.
I wasn’t able to have a normal semester and everything was so hard to manage. A lot of personal things have come up in my life all at once that have been hard to deal with. Sometimes it’s all just too overwhelming.
During this season, I realized I really need to focus on shifting the mindset I have now and reflect on what I do have.
1. Opportunities to learn
I am still a college student who is learning more in my classes. I have the opportunity to be educated at this wonderful school! I am able to lead the executive board of Scripps PRSSA, which is an incredible organization. As VP of Member Relations, I get to meet with members individually and it’s been such an enjoyable experience. I was even able to attend a virtual conference and network with professionals all over the country!
2. Good health
It has been hard to avoid getting sick, since COVID-19 is everywhere. I had it over the summer, and it was a difficult experience, but I recovered with mild symptoms. I’ve been able to avoid getting it again this semester by masking up and keeping that social distance. I have remained healthy and so have my loved ones!
3. More free time
Since my schedule is more flexible, I have more time to be in the small moments. I have been able to have more spontaneous hangouts with my friends that I wouldn’t have had normally. I have had a few self-care nights in the past week where I treated myself to my favorite snack and watched a Netflix movie.
Everyone has different things to be grateful for. I think it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the world is crumbling around you, but it’s better to challenge yourself to think differently. It’s important to take a step back and realize what you do have in your life. If you get caught up in your head about everything, I recommend you do this: pause, breathe, count blessings and repeat.
Kelly Lambers is a junior studying strategic communication. She is the current VP of Member Relations. Follow her on Twitter @KellyLambers