It is undeniable, 2020 has been like the scariest roller coaster ride for most people on the planet and it does not seem that this ride is wanting to stop or slow down. I mean, perhaps we had a break and a glimpse of “normality” during the summer but looking around me, talking to people, following people’s stories, it is evident that a lot of lives have been changed by the events that happened this year.

The pandemic has shaken the way we used to live and used to do things, the way we worked, they way we used to connect with our dear ones and the way we looked at our health. Many of us have lost their jobs or had to radically change their way of living to adapt to this new situation. Whether people have been affected directly by the virus or by governmental restrictions, I think that each and every one of us at some point this year had to seriously review their life and lifestyle. That means thinking about what really matters and readjusting our priorities on life.

When sudden, unexpected, challenging events happen, our certainties, our securities, our routines are no longer there to provide comfort and we become tasked with having to deal with uncertainty, sudden shifts and in many cases, with our worst fears. We are required to change completely or in part and find new ways of doing things. For some people this could be indeed an exciting process as they tend to embrace change and adapt more quickly. They see the silver lining and find an opportunity to better themselves and their lives through this painful change. For most, this is scary and disruptive especially if they find themselves resisting the new and fighting to get the old back. However, think about the most important principle of the evolutionary theory: change is at the core of the evolutionary process and those who struggle to adapt, ultimately perish. This is true for biological organisms thus at a biological and genetic level as well as it is true in terms of lifestyle choices and value systems.

Change is the core principle of evolution

You might have never thought about it but we are always evolving, we are always moving forward, as individuals and as a species. Although there isn’t so much emphasis on personal development and evolution anymore, our attention and efforts seem to have turned to technological advancement only. This has been particularly evident in the last few centuries as we have gradually bought into the idea that humans reached the peak of their evolution and that we now continue this process by developing new technologies and by making new scientific discoveries. This is probably the biggest illusion that the “enlightenment” movement has created – despite more obvious progress: the overestimation of science as a substitute for traditional value systems, the supremacy of rationality over emotions and feelings. This movement encouraged the shift from the collective to the individual, from that inner aspiration to ideals to egocentric thinking. From humanity as a value, to science and technology as human priority. Those who kept looking at ancient philosophies, religions and value systems have been laughed at as “bigots” and largely cast out from scientific communities. One could not believe in self-development and self-awakening while being an acclaimed scientist. However, if we look closely at ancient value systems and traditions, discarding the true bigotries of religious (institutional) rigidity, they have all pointed out and aimed at the betterment of human being, without fail.

Then, after centuries of scientific discoveries, a dramatic event happens and affects the whole world population, a pandemic, out of our control. We realise that no matter how technologically advanced we have become, this technology is now useless against the virus – at least for now. Our phones cannot cure us, AI cannot help us, and so the rest of the latest scientific advancements. We suddenly realise how important is our contact with nature, even if limited and how our life on the planet strictly depends on earth’s resources – not on technology. We realise that a hug is way better that 10.000 face time calls. We miss being together with our family and friends or out and about for work. We understand how fragile our economy is and become blatantly aware of the number of inequalities in our society. Least but not last, many finally realised the importance of a functioning healthcare system and the value of health care professionals.

We are always evolving, always moving forward

Don’t get me wrong, technology has helped and is helping some people keep their jobs or find a source of income as well as keeping in touch with distant friends and relatives. For others, the heavy use of digital tools meant that their jobs, careers and businesses were obsolete.

Talking about myself personally, 2020 has brought me losses and changes as well as opportunities. I have been consciously and purposefully devoted to self-discovery and self-development for almost 20 years now. In addition to that, (blessing in disguise), a quite sudden and challenging event prompted me to review my life, career, friendship choices, my values and priorities for the last three years. So I landed in 2020 with full awareness that I needed to make some changes – now or never.

This is indeed a very difficult time but it is also an opportunity to go inside ourselves, understand what really matters to us and make those changes that now more than ever are necessary to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.

I want to prompt you to reflect, being brutally honest to yourself:

What has changed?

What yet needs to change?

What is it that does not really work for you right now or feels like a burden?

Which area of your life needs changing the most and why?

What’s keeping you from getting what you want and need?

Is there anything worth more than a happy, fulfilling, meaningful life whatever that may look like to you?

Imagine waking up every day with the excitement of a new day, feeling loved and respected, feeling that what you do in the world, your career, your art, is valued and appreciated. Picture it first and then start taking actions towards the life of your dreams: nothing is impossible, no dream is too big or too small, just start with the first few steps.