Reflecting on 5 Lessons I Learned in 2020
The year 2020 has been a year like no other. It is the year that changed us all. In spite of the chaotic year, I am thankful for the lessons learned.
Life is nothing without a little chaos to make it interesting.
-Amelia Atwater-Rhodes-
Through every battle we’re faced on earth, there is a purpose for it.
Today I am sharing 5 enlightening lessons learned in 2020 that have changed the way I think and live.
1. Solitude has many benefits
This past year was filled with more alone time than I ever thought was humanly possible. Spending time alone, for some, can feel hard for a variety of different reasons.
Personally, I desire and cherish being alone. I also have the complete opposite social butterfly side when in a comfortable setting.
How do you handle time alone? One study found that it appears to be an unpleasant experience for many.
2020 started with recovering from a painful breakup. Because of this, I wanted to be alone to heal. Then quarantine occurred, so hiding from the world became mandatory. Quite honestly, isolation turned into a habit I fell in love with, and still take part in as much as possible.
Every bit of solo time gave me the green light to dive into creativity. In addition, I discovered more about who and what Kelly wanted to be, as well as forcefully take a good look at this one life I’d been given.
Goals were set. Finally, October 2020 I launched beachcountrykel!
Rest was my best friend. I journaled, read more books, studied blogging. A significant number of photo albums were dug out from storage; precious memories relived.
Country music tunes from the 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s made a frequent comeback, bringing joy to my soul. Music is medicine. Solo dance parties helped shake all cares away!
I don’t think “I should be out doing something” on Friday and Saturday nights any longer. Instead it’s “Oh a new Dateline and/or 20/20 episode is on tonight.”
Take advantage of alone time when it comes knocking. Distance yourself for a bit. Believe me, you’ll realize a lot. Significant alone time allows you to take back control of your life!
Totally disengaging from the world was an amazing blessing I am thankful for.
2. Confidence is a learned skill
I never thought the day would come when I’d be starring in a self made video, let alone sharing it on a public forum. You see, I was the girl that would cringe at the mere sight of myself on a video camera, not to mention the sound of my voice would turn on the gag reflex!
How many of you have felt the same?!
2020 brought my confidence back, and then some. Looking back, mine was severely lacking due to multiple circumstances over the couple years. If you aren’t careful, the confidence that took half your life to build up, can slip right out from under you.
Confidence is a trust you have in yourself. Confidence (not cockiness) is beautiful. Your best self will naturally be brought to light, as long as the work is put in to make positive changes. This has proven true in my life time and time again.
People with real confidence (again not cocky) look at the world and they see potential. When they see people suffering, they provide love and understanding.
Being goofy on a video screen allows me to be real and share true, silly things. This might sound corny, nonetheless, bringing laughter to peoples faces is rewarding and something I strive for .
When readers share comments, giving thanks for the entertainment, a smile lights up my face.
Stay tuned to more videos in the future. Great ideas are always flowing and gagging is minimal!
“A day without laughter is a day wasted” -Charlie Chaplin-
3. Your worth is not determined by who likes you
There are several ways people depend on others to give them value. For me, a lengthy list of contacts and a busy social calendar helped me feel important and valuable…in the past. But, I have learned depending on other people to make you feel good, is not worth chasing.
Do you prefer a small or large social circle?
As time goes by, having a smaller social circle is of preference. This keeps the real people surrounding me, more tightly bonded.
I have vowed to stop over-giving, over-pleasing to gain acceptance. Both can leave you feeling used, disrespected.
I’ve been called quiet, shy, along with bashful during my lifetime. In spite of this, making friends was never really an issue. I’m very personable – when in a comfortable setting – with no anxiety/social anxiety present.
Therefore, when I was working a job with a few mean girls, tittle-tattling, and talking smack like a couple of high school girls; I allowed it to get the best of me.
The environment was toxic. Why did I care?
I put my worth into what they thought, to the point they had me believing I was not likeable. In truth, no matter what I did or how hard I tried, they had their minds made up.
To sum up, you cannot control what other people think about you, nor is pleasing everyone all the time obtainable.
When someone doesn’t see the beautiful person you are, they are not worth even a second of your time.
4. Don’t date after a breakup
As the myth goes, the best way to get over a bad breakup is to get under someone. This very advice was given by some friends during a time I was struggling to get over that breakup mentioned earlier (#1). Respectfully, I am proud for not taking the advice.
Instead, 100% solo was the chosen path. No dating. Friends with benefits wasn’t even an option. I said no countless times to “lets netflix and chill.”
I don’t know about you, but attention from a man is not something I need to feel fulfilled. Undoubtedly, there was times throughout my life, that was not the case.
Focusing 100% solely on Kelly, with no distractions, brought me to the next level spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Without a doubt, the biggest mistake would have been to start seeing guys.
Attempt to stay single after a breakup. You’ll learn what you like and don’t like in a relationship, instead of trying to shape into something your not.
5. The Power of Prayer
This pandemic has strengthened my faith and relationship with God immensely.
Openly, I was always a believer. I talked to God, however, life would get busy. I’d forget to say my prayers for weeks, sometimes months.
My biggest achievements previously endured, undeniably, came after prayer.
Now, time is set aside daily to pray, wholeheartedly. This means down on my knees. I have asked Jesus to come into my heart. To sum up, my life and whole mentality has changed for the better. Life looks different now, not to mention everything has more beauty.

Looking for an inspirational book? I read The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale during quarantine. In my experience, this book really taught the power of prayer, most importantly, what having a true relationship with God entails.
Studying the bible has become of importance.
I’ve put all trust in the Lord. As a result, I have more control of anxiety levels when stressors come knocking. Thank heavens, because for quite awhile, I was a ball of nerves. It was horrible.
The inner peace I feel better never escape!

Cheers to 2021…
Everyone was excited to kiss 2020 goodbye and leap into a new prosperous year. 2021 could only be better…boy were we wrong.
Unfortunately, two weeks into the new year, our country is in worse shape. Who would have thought? Will things get even worse? Gosh, I pray not.
After last year, I feel lucky to just be alive. 2020 wasn’t “all” bad, despite the fact that I’m sure glad it is over.
The main goal of mine for 2021 is to be a person of discipline and self control. Most importantly, focusing on beachcountrykel, giving it my all, and making a name for myself!
I hope and pray for peace and love to each and every one of you in the New Year.
Cheers to the road ahead!
Please continue to visit my blog. Leave a comment. I’m open to suggestions for improvement as well!