Lessons Learned from 2021

Last year, we uncovered some lessons learned from 2020. This year, we’re receiving an upgrade.

While, for many, 2021 passed like a fever dream—the improvement from Tiger King to Squid Game should be a good enough indicator of progress.

So, without further ado—here are some lessons learned from 2021:

1. Resilience is a muscle.

Not to belabor the pandemic and its many stresses—but the 2020 lockdown was just the tip of the iceberg. 

From stores reopening to stores reclosing; masks off, masks on; variants Larry, Curly, and Moe, etc. – we have learned how to adapt to our circumstances faster than ever before.

Resilience is a skill that can be exercised and strengthened. This year we’ve been forced outside our comfort zones radically and frequently…and have the personal development to prove it. 

Keep this growth mindset as we head into 2022, and you’ll practically be the Hulk of mental toughness by the end of it.

2. Rekindle past loves.

I’m not suggesting we collectively learned to love our exes in 2021 (we can’t all be JLo and Ben Affleck), but with the world reopening came the opportunity to rediscover forgotten passions. 

Last year, we got the cliché reminder that you never know how much you love something until it’s gone. Perhaps before the pandemic, you skipped out on the gym often, but now that they’re open again you’ve never missed a session. 

Maybe you forgot how much you loved Taylor Swift until you heard her ten-minute version of All Too Well. 

We have all received a second chance at life—make sure to take advantage of everything it has to offer!

3. Mental health is physical health. 

Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka introduced a radical debate about mental health in athletics during this year’s Olympics in Tokyo. 

It is, of course, important to stay physically healthy—however, everyone and their mothers reminded us of this over the past two years. This year, however, we learned that our physical and mental health are inextricable and deserve to be nurtured equally. 

Check out this article for an in-depth discussion about the multi-dimensionality of wellness from mental to physical to spiritual.

As you ring in the new year—make sure to reflect on how far you’ve come, and to look forward to all the new lessons you’ll get to learn. Enjoy the champagne, kisses, ball drop, and countdown!

Celebrate— It’s 2022!

 

This article was written by Melissa Pelowski. Interested in writing for us too? Email your pitch to submissions@sportsresearch.com for consideration.