Since 2020 has been such a twisted and difficult year, we wanted to close out 2020 by sharing a handful of positive moments submitted by our readers. They’re a simple reminder to celebrate and be grateful for the milestones (big and small) accomplished this year.
Start your day with these happy stories and enjoy some good news since we’ve had enough bad news over the past 12 months. Here’s to 2021 and a brighter future.
“My husband and I weren’t able to have our wedding as planned, but we eloped and had the perfect tiny wedding at the Versace Villa in Miami. I wore my dream dress, he wore his dream suit, and we had the best day we could have imagined. Did my own hair and makeup, too!” – jlbabe
“2020 being known to many as the worst year in history, I find myself often complaining about it as well. On a deeper reflection into my year, I’ve realized that it might be the best year of my life.
My twin brother beat cancer.
I got out of a long toxic relationship.
I graduated college.
I accepted a full-time job.
I started practicing self-worth.
I moved to a new city.
I purchased a yoga membership.
I fell in love.
It’s difficult to see the good in our lives when we are surrounded by fear of the future. The future of humanity, justice, financial situations, and the health of our loved ones has been tested daily. To that, I say to keep positive, keep spreading hope, and keep moving together toward a fearless new beginning.” – @charlotte_flynn7
“I believe in silver linings and positivity in every situation if you are willing to see it. This year has been so difficult and hard for many; the hardships and grief are not lost on me. I have dealt with my fair share of yuck this year and other years. What this year has taught me is to never take anything for granted. I don’t have the best of things or even a lot of things, but what I do have is a family that loves me, friends, my health, and my ability to spread love and kindness. 2020 has been rough, but it has awakened a sense of accountability for who I am and knowing what is truly important. I’m thankful for that, and I’m so glad I learned some lessons. Anytime you are given the opportunity to open your eyes and see the beauty within and before you, it’s a wonderful thing. This year, albeit different and unconventional, has been a phenomenal life lesson that no one will probably ever get again. Bless.” – @tamikafjohnson
“In 2020, so many amazing things happened for me! I graduated with my bachelor’s degree as well as applied to graduate school for occupational therapy. I think my highest ranked silver lining would be the work my family does. We foster children from all over the world through a program called Healing the Children, which is a volunteer program to get children medical care. This is my silver lining because despite the poor conditions many of them live in (Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Peru, etc.), all of their families are healthy. The little boy we are fostering now is healthy and still receiving the best care he can. This is more than enough to say this year has been amazing.” – @courtlicata
“I’m 16, and was a sophomore in high school when schools closed! Online learning was hard, and my anxiety really spiked during that time. Poosh was somewhere I would go to decompress and forget about the stress. I found that blogging was an amazing stress reliever and a true hobby of mine, and I started my blog shadesofleopard.com! I was able to speak with some of my favorite people in the industry and was inspired to start my own jewelry collection, @oliviahazancollections. At 16, I’ve launched my own blog and jewelry line, and am constantly doing more.” – @oliviahazan
“I’ve learned a lot about myself this year and how to love myself with plenty of negativity going on in the world and in my personal life. I got a job that I love and have been able to keep despite all that’s going on in the world. I made amazing friends and had some great adventures. I have also pooshed myself out of my comfort zone in multiple ways. I’m unsure of my final outcome for 2020, but if I really think about it, it hasn’t been too bad overall.” – @indiatayyar
“I am a teacher in LAUSD, and we have been teaching from home since March. While this remote learning situation is so not ideal, I have two silver linings: 1. My daughters are in high school and are doing remote learning as well, and I LOVE the extra time I am getting with them every day! Especially since teenagers usually don’t want to spend tons of time with their mom; and 2. I still have my job, while SO many have lost their jobs or have had to close their businesses, etc. For those reasons, I am grateful and feel so blessed.” – @_becau5e_vegan
“My good news story of 2020: after years of postponing school due to an autoimmune disease, I finally got my health under control through diet and exercise changes early in the year. This led me to getting straight A’s in nursing school, being accepted into a prestigious nurse residency program, and starting my integrative health coach certification! I am actually so grateful for the time I was forced to stay home because it allowed me to become more in tune with my body and create healthy habits that will impact the rest of my life. 2020 definitely forced me to poosh my wellness!” – @_katber
“Although this year has been difficult for everyone around the world, I chose to remain positive. I got my dream job right after finishing University. I got engaged to my now husband in June 2020, the day we closed on our first newly built home. We decided to get married in September 2020 with a small COVID-friendly ceremony! We will hold an intimate COVID-friendly reception in 2021. Poosh has helped me to remain positive, especially with the amazing advice for home workouts, recipes, and hosting virtual gatherings. I’m very grateful for my health, family, friends, and especially my husband, who has been so supportive. I’m thankful for the positive that came out of 2020 and look forward to what 2021 has in store.” – @ashleyamberkhan
“A few good things that happened to me were celebrating my one-year anniversary with my love with his first trip to NYC before quarantine in February, having some much-needed relaxation time (aka binging Tiger King) with my family, and getting a full-tuition scholarship to law school. There are always things to be grateful for—big and small!” – @calliechaney
“I participated in the Poosh Your Wellness Festival, which totally changed my skincare, health, and workout game since!” – @michelle_moores
“Over the past year, I truly feel like my parents have fallen back in love for the second time. Don’t get me wrong, they’ve been happily married for 34+ years, but they were so used to having family visit or planning trips around seeing our family (which is now spread out) that making one-on-one time wasn’t really a priority. Since COVID, they’ve been home (missing their out-of-state kids and grandkids, of course!), but they started taking morning walks together with the dog, and nearly every day my mom sends a selfie of them to the family group thread. It’s so pure and adorable. My mom uses it as an excuse to wear her winter wardrobe, and my dad plays along. Plus, the family feels connected while we have to be distant!” – @mscanga