Good Night 2020!
Like most of everyone I know, I am ready to put 2020 to bed. This has been a year of great loss, cultural turmoil, and political upheaval for many. In the U.S. and around the world, we have had to adjust to a new lifestyle to keep ourselves and our fellow citizens safe. A lifestyle that for many feels like punishment because of the need to social distance and stay at home.
Some of us have learned new skills and new ways to maintain connections. Some have simply hunkered down and done what we needed to do because it did not feel like there was any other choice. While others have railed against the need to do these things and have felt depressed and/or angry. If you are like me, you have probably done all three of these things at different times over the past 9 months since the first shutdowns were called for.
I have had some truly amazing experiences during 2020 and I’ve been fortunate – I haven’t lost anyone to COVID, and I’m still employed full time. As an essential worker (providing mental health services), I have even been able to, for the most part, continue going to work every day where I get to spend socially distanced time with my colleagues and the individuals we are privileged to serve. While I can easily acknowledge how fortunate I have been I also have to acknowledge that the past 9 months have been fraught with anxiety. I have suffered from insomnia on and off – worrying about my family, my colleagues, and my clients and I have struggled with my depression in ways that I have not had to deal with in many years.
Through the good and the bad of 2020 coaching has kept me going. Starting a new coaching business, participating in a group for Professional Coaches just starting their businesses (http://www.mclarencoaching.com/coach-training-program/professional-coaches-group/), founding The COVID Coaching Project (https://intentionallyme.org/tccp), supporting Transformational Coaching Essentials (http://www.mclarencoaching.com/coach-training-program/) class of 2020 as a staff coach, coaching clients and colleagues, and most importantly being coached has made this year not only bearable, but a personal success despite the challenges.
Hopefully, my passion for coaching is obvious – because I am passionate about it! Over the next three days I am going to be sharing information with you about up-coming opportunities to use coaching to support your New Year’s resolutions.
Yep, this is my first four-part blog post. I have not been as active with blogging as I had originally planned, but I am determined to end the year with a bang! So, keep your eyes out for the next three posts – you do not want to miss them. I’ll be sharing opportunities for self-care, for releasing and resetting in preparation for the new year, and best of all – for learning and transformation!
Until tomorrow,
A.
