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I’m sure most people would agree with me when I say that 2020 has not been the best year; as a matter of fact, that is a huge understatement. Between having my senior year of high school end so abruptly, starting college nearly completely online, having a major decline in social interactions, while also facing some of the toughest personal battles I’ve ever dealt with, these changes have truly taken a toll on me.
With that being said, I am currently trying my hardest to take this crazy life day-by-day, and recently there has been 1 thing that has helped me to do so: listing just one thing each day that brought me some form of joy. Now I know this seems so simple, yet on those days that seem like life is simply getting out of hand, finding joy in the little things has helped to make everything else in this world seem a little less scary. It has been one of the only things to keep me going this semester, and here are a just few examples of those joys that managed to make some of the darkest days a little brighter:
“the leaves are turning the most beautiful shades”
“getting to see my adorable baby cousins”
“watching Dancing with the Stars”
“going to my favorite lunch spot with Aunt DeeDee”
“hanging Halloween décor in the dorm”
“received more funny texts from Uncle Frank-Frank today”
“they played my favorite song at Starbucks today”
“finally got to facetime Eliza”
“Ville Grill had vegetarian burritos!”
“getting to visit with Mimi and Grand-daddy”
“hugs from momma”
“having an awesome friend that helps you with philosophy”
“our Plato session got to be in person!”
Although I know some of these can probably only be understood by me, I hope this still serves as a reminder that even the smallest joys of life can have the biggest impacts. So whether you may also be mentally struggling, or if the craziness of 2020 is wearing you down as well, reflect on the little things… they might be just what you need to keep pushing forward.
Mary Catherine Medley is a McConnell Scholar in the class of 2024. She is studying criminl justice and political science at the University of Louisville.