January 1st, 2021, Friday 5:07am

I had so many learning lessons in 2020. I’m just gonna list them, because I’m aching to get out for a run (and when I say “run”, we all know I mean leisurely walking around the neighborhood)! Here’s the list, in no particular order:

I learned that I’m not lazy, I’m just creating.

I learned that I don’t love spinning or cycling indoors. Running or walking outdoors is still preferable.

I learned that all social media is not the same. The TikTok community hits differently. It’s a whole other breed of social media. As of today, I would say it’s what all social media aspires to be like. 

In 2020, I learned that people are still confused by what friendship means. I. AM. NOT. CONFUSED. 

That I actually could get sick of eating chocolate all day long. 

That fancy expensive sweatpants are really just pajama bottoms pretending to be sweats (seriously, there is a difference, don’t let the ridiculous cost fool you!). 

That I haven’t worn heels in 8 months and I fear putting them back on. Will I fall? Will I be able to run in them? (Yes, I used to be able to run in heels y’all. That was my standard for wearing them. If I couldn’t run in them, then they should NOT be bought!).  Honestly, I still have no reason to wear heels so I don’t know why I keep thinking about this.

That I haven’t worn makeup in 8 months and I’m okay with that (gotta love masks for making this a reality!).

That I truly hate a few of my neighbors and always have – but some of them, are incredibly lovely people. Who knew?  (I said what I said, and I stand by it).

That GenZ and GenX have so much more in common than I would have ever guessed. The GenZ crowd are truly the cool generation. They’re smarter, more tolerant, more generous – clearly tech geniuses and more open to everything than most.  I’m so looking forward to 2021 because of them!

I also learned that I’m pretty bougie. Yup. Me. Clearly, if I was stranded on a deserted island I would need to have a manicurist as one of my “must haves”?  Wow!  Hahahahaha!  I never realized how much I relied on a good mani-pedi! 

That being Black & Latina is truly never going to fade in the background and be just a characteristic. Not in my life time anyways – but in all the ways that matter, that’s a very good thing.

I’ve learned so much more in 2020 – but that’s a little slice. I think what happened last night though is what I wish for everyone reading this: 

Last night I talked via WhatsApp to my “brother-from-another-mother” Billy in Florida. He was spending the evening with his lovely family and called me right before the east coast New Year chimed in.  He had me laughing so hard. That belly aching kind of laughter. Honestly, I don’t even remember exactly what it was we were laughing about, but it was so good! It kept going on and on — and we laughed even harder together. I was tearing in joy by the time it was over. I went to bed thinking about it – and woke up this morning still giggling while pouring my coffee. 

This is my wish for all of you.  That there is much more laughter in our days ahead than not. That we have friends who make us laugh, even when the world feels way too grey.  That we sleep soundly and wake up joyously grateful and smiling, just a bit, about the very best things in life.

That’s the most important thing I learned in 2020. Friendships and laughter: Must. Haves.

Happy sweet 2021 to everyone. I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to it! 

With joy,

Carmen

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