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I think we have all heard this many times this year, but let’s be real, it has been one of those years.
As 2020 comes to a close, I think we are all grateful. I’m sure we are all sick of hearing, “This is the new normal,” but let’s come together to make sure next year is better. After all, it has to be, right?
2020 is one year that for sure will go into the history books.
One thing is for sure, if this time last year you told me that the world would shut down and zombies (I mean a virus) would take over, I would have laughed out loud. I would have secretly thought you were crazy and slowly walked away.
If you read my last blog on Turning 2020 Around, I’m sure you are on track to make the end of the year much better than how it started.
Not sure about you, but I never set new year’s resolutions. Mainly because I never seem to stick with them.
Instead, I set goals that I can achieve that will lead me to big changes.
For example, this year, one goal was to write daily. I’m happy to report that I DID IT! And I even posted at least one blog every week this year!
Reflection of 2020
A few days ago, I talked with some friends about 2020 and how happy we are that it’s almost over. Talk about a super crazy year, am I right?
After our discussion, I really started thinking about this year. Yes, it was crazy, but the insane part is that I did more this year than I have over the last few years.
Around this time last year, after a very long back and forth, I decided to make some crazy drastic changes.
The main thing I focused on was my favorite question, “What Makes You Happy?” Or, in this case, what would make me happy?
Sometimes, even when you don’t think you should, being selfish is a good thing.
I’m sure you already know this, especially if you have been reading my blog, but I have been doing more reflection posts than I’m sure anyone else does. This has been an interesting year, and keeping yourself on track is good.
Even if you don’t have a clue on what that is.
Looking back on 2020, there was more traveling I wanted to do. But, considering COVID, I still got in quite a bit.
Here is a brief list of what I achieved:
- Resign from law enforcement (a tough decision for me, and still tough).
- Get more sleep (it’s amazing what eight hours of sleep will do for you).
- Finding different ways to help others.
- Write every day and build up the Wilde Escape blog! (Thank you for reading!)
- Start my own business.
- Help others set up a website (I even started a NEW separate blog for this too!)
- Travel (mainly on road trips, like the one I was on for the start of COVID or the short trip to Oregon)
- I converted the Rav4 (long time coming, and SO happy I finally did it)
- Spend more time with friends and family (goes back to my question, What makes you happy blog)
- Take time to focus on what I want to do (being selfish is not always a bad thing)
The main thing is that I feel I’m in a better place in my life now than last year at this time.
Making huge life changes is scary, and the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. But, if you stay positive, keep learning, and have fun with the process, you will be in a great position.
Now it’s your turn.
What did you achieve this year? Let me know in the comments below!
Life Decisions
We all have them, and they are not ever easy to make.
As I mentioned above, this year, I decided to resign from my law enforcement carrier.
This was a bittersweet decision. But, looking back, a month later, COVID happened, not to mention all the protests too.
I could go into my beliefs here, but I can say that I’m happy about my decision right now. We all have our beliefs, and it’s okay that we don’t all agree on the same things.
That’s one of the reasons living in the US is so amazing. We actually have the ability to speak out.
I will say that I can’t help but feel blessed that I did not have to work in an “official capacity” this year. I really feel for all the first responders working and wish them all a healthy and peaceful time.
Short Tangient
As you know, I tend to go on some tangents. It’s funny because I can stop typing anytime, but I should get this off my chest.
I think it’s because I’ve been thinking about the last few months before deciding to resign from law enforcement.
So, bear with me here.
Before I decided to leave my last post, I took a class.
This might seem shocking to some of you, but law enforcement officers must keep up their training. We call it perishable skills. And they are training that is done yearly (or every two years) in the state of CA.
In this class, there were just under 30 officers. Ranging from two years of service all the way up to 25 years of experience. From smaller departments all the way up to a few people from the SFPD (San Francisco Police Department), a huge department.
On the first day of the class, there are the basics. Like what is expected of us, topics covered, coffee placement (always important as is where the bathrooms are located), and a brief introduction from everyone.
It didn’t take long for the topic of the world and law enforcement to come up.
With over 30 years of experience, the instructor posed an interesting question. I will also remind you that this was in the middle of 2019, and COVID and recent occurrences were not even on anyone’s radar.
The question was, “Knowing what you know now, would you still enter this profession?”
So, as you are reading this, can you think of what the answer to this question of about 30 officers said? Better yet, how many people do you think (out of the 30 in the room) would still enter this profession?
The answer might shock you as it did with me.
Only two hands went up. These were the only two that said they would still enter the career knowing what they know now. Fast forward to these days, and I really don’t know if they would still raise their hands today.
Then, just a few days ago, I was talking to a local firefighter. During our conversation, he said that he wished he went into law enforcement up until this year. Yep, you read that right, up till This Year. I think that speaks volumes.
I also understand that this isn’t correct for everyone. I know many officers that love their jobs and wouldn’t trade it for anything.
It’s difficult to say this, but becoming an officer took a lot of time.
This was something that I strived to become for as long as I can remember. Then, between college, two academies, multiple applications, a ton of stress, more overtime and long hours than you can imagine a divorce, and the toll the first responder life takes on you and the family. It’s still extremely tough to leave it.
Okay, sorry, I’m done with my tangent now.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me. I have talked with many people who want to go into law enforcement and am always willing to offer advice.
More On-Time For Reflection
I’m sure you will agree that we should all be thankful for what we have. Things like having a job, a roof over your head, and food in your bellies are so important.
Taking it further, I have been very thankful for having my job, being given other opportunities, and having time to create Wilde Escape.
That said, I have had a few goals and realized I didn’t hit all of them.
One example is that I wanted to make $500 per month working remotely.
It’s funny that this concept was still a bit foreign 12 months ago. But now, there are remote jobs everywhere.
So you can imagine what is on my list for 2021, find a remote job that will allow me to work anywhere and travel more.
As you can see, I think that was a way too broad and difficult goal to achieve.
For the year 2021, my goal is to make enough money to support my business (mainly the two blogs, cost of hosting, training, and other expenses). I understand that this is still a general goal and not very specific, but I plan to make money for this next year.
Getting Goals Specific
One goal I was able to achieve that I’m pleased about is reading daily! Before this year, I have never enjoyed reading.
My solution was to get specific with this goal:
- Download the Amazon Kindle app on my phone.
- Choose books to read things that I was interested in.
- Read for 10 minutes every day.
I chose the above three steps because they were easy to do and something I believed would be achievable. In fact, I read 18 books this year!
I am still shocked that I was able to complete that many books! And the best part is it’s now a habit! I can see continuing to do this without much thought.
If you want to read an awesome article about goal setting. Click Here!
The main focus of 2021 for me is to become location independent. Meaning that I will fully embrace the minimalist lifestyle, spend more time exploring this amazing world we live in (or locally, depending on how COVID goes), and continue spending time with friends and family.
What Are Your Plans For 2021?
If you had to sit back and think about this year, what positive things would you take from it?
Thanks for reading this post as I tend to ramble, but it all comes down to what you want from this life.
None of us know what next year has in store for us. One thing about 2020 is it made us more agile and ready for pretty much anything.
I mean, does anything really surprise you anymore?
Spend some time today thinking about what you can do today to make next year better. Then come back and let me know in the comments below.
2021 Might Not Be Better, But It Will Be Different!
You made some big life changes.
Thank you for the years you served in law enforcement; you made a positive difference in your community.
I agree with you that 2020 will have a place in the history books. People across the globe have faced many challenges. There are times we need a gentle nudge to remember to also count our blessings. Sometimes you may need to look a little harder, but we are surrounded by good things and good people.
Congratulations on all the reading and writing you’ve accomplished! It’s a pretty big deal.
I hope that 2021 gives you more opportunities to do the things that bring you joy!
Thank you! As for what brings me joy, every day! Not to mention I get to see my Mum pretty much every day too!
Nobody knows what 2021 will brings, but it’s pretty cool that nothing really seems to surprise anyone anymore. It will definitely be a different year, and hopefully full of FUN!