What 2020 Taught Me

I learned more about myself in 2020 more than I have in my 22 years of living combined. I experienced love, loss, joy, sickness, and many more emotions that I’m still trying to find the words for.

I lost my brother suddenly on January 2nd. It was difficult for me to cope with the loss of someone who had been with me my entire life. I’ve experienced the death of loved ones before, but no one so sudden, no one for young, and no one so close to me. Almost a year later and I’m still trying to process it. Days after the funeral I flew back to Texas and life continued. Being away at college allowed me to mask my emotions by staying busy with day to day tasks but then the pandemic hit, and life stopped.

Just 5 weeks later I was on stage competing in my first pageant as an adult. I stepped foot on the Miss Sam Houston stage and was authentic and firm in my beliefs. I did my best for the time and placed 1st runner up. I won the title of Miss Piney Woods and set off on my journey to compete in Miss Texas during the summer. Unfortunately the 2020 pageant was cancelled due to the virus but I’m excited to show out on the Miss Texas stage summer 2021.

In mid March when the country shut down I found myself spending the majority of my time alone in my room with my thoughts. I could no longer hide from my emotions by packing my planner with events and meetings. Days felt like weeks, weeks felt like months, and months felt like years during this time. One thing that could bring light to these dark days was my family, so during this time I decided that home with them was the best place to be.

As warmer weather came around and the semester ended I was starting to feel like more of my usual self. Then George Floyd was murdered by police officers while bystanders stood by and helplessly watched. I was more than angry, I was furious! How could this happen? Why did this happen? I took my frustration to the streets and marched in Austin, Texas. I used my platform to share resources, I organized and strategized. I sat on so many panels and I have been a part of so many discussions it's truly hard to count. At a certain point I did get frustrated. Why did it take a black man’s murder being shared across the world for people to wake up and realize that RACISM STILL EXISTS IN 2020!

I contracted Covid-19 in early July but thank God I was asymptomatic and I didn’t give it to anyone in my family. Because I still felt pretty healthy I still worked my 2 remote internships! In 2020 I was able to complete 3 internships solely because of remote work due to the pandemic. During the summer I interned with the Texas Democratic Party and the Texas Women’s Health Caucus. This made me hone in even more on the type of communications work I’d like to do in the future. Which led me to my fall internship with the ACLU of Georgia. I would have never been able to do this internship if it weren’t for working remotely. I got to play a part of the historic Georgia blue wave which was a major highlight of my year.

This year more than anything taught me flexibility. There are always going to be moments in life when things don’t go as planned and 2020 has taught me to be okay with that. “ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” This is my favorite bible verse and this year proved it true. I knew that no matter how hard this year got, God would never hurt me, he wants me to succeed and prosper. I am eager for what 2021 has in store for me. I plan on graduating college, beginning my career, and growing stronger and stronger in my faith and my commitment to the Lord. I went into 2020 with the motto “2020 Vision” written across my vision board. Even though things didn’t always go my way, my vision is in fact 2020! This year has brought so much clarity. He wants me to succeed and prosper. I am eager for what 2021 has in store for me. I plan on graduating college, beginning my career, and growing stronger and stronger in my faith and my commitment to the Lord. I went into 2020 with the motto “2020 Vision” written across my vision board. Even though things didn’t always go my way, my vision is in fact 2020! This year has brought so much clarity.