I don’t think I need to really say that 2020 was a crazy year. All around bananas.
The year started off really great, and then – I’ve made this joke multiple times this week – March happened. Yikes. It was a crazy, strange, unprecedented (I really hate that term) year.
I was thinking about 2020 earlier this week and all of the things I was grateful for and things that got me through. Some of my favorite things from 2020. The things that brought little joys. I thought it might be fun to share.
- Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu. STREAMING SERVICES
Pretty self explanatory, right? I binged watched Tiger King in I think two days. Love is Blind I definitely finished in two days. I managed to finish Schitt’s Creek in a couple weeks. HBO offering some of it’s shows for free on HBO Max allowed me to watch McMillions. I watched some great movies and other shows on Amazon Prime and Hulu. I can’t even really remember all of what I’ve watched this year. But I know it was a lot. And sometimes it was just on in the background as I worked or did other things.
When you can’t go anywhere or see people, you grow tired of watching movies all the time. Once we decided we could actually play Catan with two people instead of three, adding this game as a frequent activity was the perfect addition to any evening. Competition. Strategy. Friendly badgering. Laughing. Fun. I’ve lost a good number of these games. I played a whole game thinking the port I placed a settlement on worked the opposite way of how it’s supposed to work. Face. Palm. I DEFINITELY lost that game.
3. Milk Frother
Working from home for a good chunk of this year allowed me to make coffee the way I like all the time. I’m not one for a lot of sugar or creamer. Just some milk and I’m good. I have a milk frother that I generally only use on Saturday or Sunday mornings, but I was able to use it so many times this year. I heat up some milk in a little mason jar in the microwave as I brew my coffee, and then I put the frother in the milk and press the button. It does all the work! It gets the milk to be light and airy. I just pour the frothed milk on top of my coffee, and I’m all set. I’m fairly easy to please with coffee. Coffee is one of my love languages.
3. Mr. Coffee Coffee Mug Warmer
Related to coffee is this Mr. Coffee Coffee Mug Warmer. I have a slight addiction to cute coffee mugs. And I love big, wide rimmed mugs. This means my coffee can grow cold super quick. I either have to drink it immediately, drink it cold, or heat it up in the microwave. Then, I got one of these bad boys. I turn it on, place my mug on it, and my coffee stays just the right temperature for me. I can drink a cup of coffee over an hour or two now and don’t have to drink it within 10 minutes. I’ve got one at home and at work. It’s perfect for hot tea too.
4. My Kindle Paperwhite
I wanted a Kindle that I could comfortably use by or in the pool or bathtub. My condo pool was “open” this Summer, but I didn’t end up using it, because it was only open on Saturdays and Sundays. The worst. I like being able to lay out by the pool after work during the week when it’s not so crowded, not on the weekends when everyone wants to be there. I did take a bunch of baths this year. And I usually bring a glass of wine and my Kindle with me. The Paperwhite is waterproof, so I feel comfortable reading it while soaking. I’m not afraid of ruining it if I accidentally drop it in the tub. Same goes for the pool once I actually get to go to one.
Getting to borrow ebooks and audiobooks with my library card on an app? Yes, please! I’ve read or listened to so many books this year. Some are books I’ve read before, some are quick easy romance novels, some were good fiction novels, and some were nonfiction. This app has helped me up my reading more and more, because I can listen to an audiobook while driving or doing chores around the house. Send me any book recommendations you have!
Ummm… I’m the worst at hair. I go to get my haircut, and pretty much let whoever is cutting my hair do what they will. I’m easy. Most of the time, my hair is pulled back in a clip or up in a pony tail or ballerina bun. But I do really love wearing it down too. A friend introduced me to this Revlon Hot Airbrush a couple years ago, and holy moly, has it changed how I do my hair. I blow-dry my hair for about 2 minutes with a regular hair dryer, and then this comes in. I don’t even really section my hair out to use this, I just brush a section until it dries and move on. I focus on my roots and putting more volume to the top of my head. Then, I run it through the ends of my hair to straighten it out. I don’t even use my Chi hair straightener anymore. This thing is AMAZING.
7. My Curling Iron
2020 was the year I taught myself how to curl my own hair. I spent a good week trying out different curling techniques. And then I started curling my hair a lot of times when I knew I would be going out and seeing people. I’ve learned what works for me. My curling iron is constantly being used and in my way because I’ve left it out to cool off before putting it away. This is a sign of a well used item to me.
8. Rothy’s
I love my Rothy’s. They’ve changed my confidence level. That sounds so weird to say, but it’s SO TRUE. Real life: I sweat a lot. And that includes my feet. So when you buy super cute flats and wear them without socks, they tend to start to stink pretty quickly. And then when you take your shoes off, your feet stink pretty terribly too. I HATED that feeling that I could never take off my shoes. Enter Rothy’s. They are super cute, and there are so many different styles and colors to choose from. They’re made from recycled water bottles, and you can take out the insoles and throw them in the wash by themselves for a quick fix or you can throw both the insoles and the shoes in the wash. Then, you lay them out to dry. Life. Changer. They’re pricey, but SO WORTH IT. I would spend about $20-$20 on a pair of flats probably a couple times a year before. That money adds up. Now, I’ll happily throw my Rothy’s in the wash if I feel a little uncomfortable when I take them off. Seriously, they’re the best.
9. My Stationary Bike
This was what kept me sane for most of 2020. Having some sort of activity that I could do at home that was a good cardio workout. I like to run, but only when I’m in the mood. And I only really like to go on walks with people, although, I’m getting better at going on them by myself. But this bike made me move. I made goals for myself during the Spring when I was at home all the time that I needed to be on my bike by a certain time each day. It was a different time each day. Maybe one day, I would say by 9 am. The next, it could have been 2 pm. Another 5 pm. Making those little goals in my head kept me going. This bike isn’t the top of the line – it’s probably more towards the bottom – but it works for most of what I want to use it for. And it’s been a good investment for the few years I’ve had it.
10. The Peloton App
I first signed up for the Peloton App for the cycling classes. Because, duh, I have a stationary bike. I enjoy cycling classes and work WAY HARDER if I have someone telling me what to do while working out. I started with the cycling classes. And then I noticed the yoga classes and started doing some of those. And then I did some dance cardio classes. And strength classes. And guided outdoor running classes. And now I’m into pilates and barre classes. They’ve got a little bit of everything to fit what I’m feeling in the mood to do. The instructors are great, and it’s nice to have so many classes at my finger tips and access that’s cheaper than a gym membership.
11. Scalp Scrubber
This sounds so weird, but this has been such a weird life changer for me. I used to have, not really dandruff, but more like dry skin, I guess, flake off my scalp all the time. I use this when I shampoo my hair to scrub my scalp really well. It’s a nice little scalp massage, and I use it all over my head. If I feel my scalp is dry or flaking in a specific area, I’ll rub that area more than usual to make sure I get the dry skin off. I’ve noticed a huge difference since I started using this. Such a weird thing, but it’s been so nice.
12. Glow Serum
I tried using oils on my face from a suggestion from a friend. It’s changed how I view skincare and also what I do with my skin. I create my own glow serum with essential oils and I’ve been using jojoba oil as the carrier oil base. I’ve also used rosehip seed oil on my face too. Oils are so good for your skin, and apparently, when you have an oily face, it’s because your skin is craving oils. Who knew? Adding the glow serum into my routine has changed the skin on my face. I only really break out when I’m about to start my period or right around it. But I’ve definitely noticed that I don’t break out as bad as before I started using the glow serum.
13. The thought of using my new rainfall shower head & actually using it
My bathroom remodel wasn’t finished until Thanksgiving, but you betcha I had all the fixtures purchased and waiting to go by about May. The process took WAY LONGER than expected, which is a story for another day. Because it took so long, I had a LOOOOONG wait of staring at the shower head each day before it was installed. I was looking forward to the peace, calm, and relaxation it would bring to my showers. And I can say, once it was installed, it does not disappoint. It has different features of how you want the water to flow out, so I can have a “get the job done” shower or a “I just want to stand here and relax under the hot water” shower. It makes me so happy.
This sounds so stupid, but I didn’t realize how much I started putting on chapstick until this year. I keep a few different tubes in the places I frequent the most. There’s one constantly in my purse that goes with me everywhere. There’s one on my coffee table in my living room. There’s one on my bedside table. Seriously. Who am I? I didn’t realize I was this person until this year. That alone warrants it a place on my list of things to get me through 2020. The minty tingle when you apply it is *chef’s kiss*.
15. Every Sacred Sunday Mass Journal
I bought my first Mass Journal from Every Sacred Sunday 4 years ago when they were still in their Kickstarter campaign to print the first copies. These little books have changed the way I participate in Mass each week. They have the Mass readings in a cute format and then have spots after to write the scripture passage(s) from that week that stand out, prayer requests, things you’re thankful for that week, a big section for notes, and then a place to write what you’re going to do for the next week. I’m such a visual learner that I always have to read along with the readings to get anything out of them. And the ability to take notes during the homily? This helps me actually REMEMBER what the homily was about. It had already changed my life in the last few years. Having a Mass Journal this year, though? It was necessary. In person Masses being cancelled for weeks, and then not necessarily feeling comfortable going back to large in person gatherings, has made this year especially tough with keeping my faith alive. This little book has helped tremendously! I can sit, focus, and really pray with the readings each week. If you’re like me, and struggle to focus just by listening, I highly suggest getting one of these.
So there’s the list. I know I’m thankful and grateful for SO MANY OTHER THINGS, but the silly and tangible items can make me smile. I hope to one day look at this list and laugh as I think about how much of a crazy mess 2020 was.