How Do You Sum Up 2020?!

*There are PR products in this post. Please see the end of the post for more details. 


Seriously, how do you sum up the sh*t show that has just happened over the last 12 months?! How do you sum up 2020?!


At the end of 2019, I made so many travel plans, I had such high hopes for the start of a new year and technically, a new decade (kind of). 



My year took a bit of a blow at the start of the year when my Grandad was diagnosed with terminal cancer a few days after the start of January. What ensued was the start of an emotional and tough two months of watching him go downhill so quickly in terms of his health and capability to do the most normal of things. After he passed away, the funeral came and the day after, it was announced that the pubs were going to shut as of midnight that night. That's when we all knew that shit had gotten serious in terms of the pandemic. 


After that, came months of us all staying in and having no contact with family and friends. Some baking umpteen loaves of banana bread. Some become quickly trained supply teachers to teach their children lessons at the kitchen table. Some get out of bed and make the short distance of 10 steps to their office desk to WFH. The only fresh air we would be getting is Thursday evenings, standing on our doorsteps and clapping for our NHS heroes and key workers. Some were putting their lives on the line to keep us alive, supermarkets trading and caring for those elderly who needed care at home or care homes. We all summarise this year differently, but I think we can all say that 2020 has been the most difficult, surreal (not in a good way) and mentally challenging year we will ever face in our lifetime. 


I don't want to completely dwell on the negatives, let's talk of some positives. One thing I can take from this year is the neighbours I've gotten to know, the ones I have made firm friends with. I have seen them more this year than the rest of my family and friends and I am so grateful to have them living close by for support. 


Also, I have seen the kindness and selflessness of those who have raised money for the NHS, done pub quizzes through Zoom every week to keep us entertained, those who have taken shopping to older neighbours and clinically high-risk people who can't get out of the house due to being vulnerable to the virus. 


I have learnt to not take life for granted, in any aspect. Who'd have thought that going outside freely would be something that we took for granted before 2020? Absolutely insane. 


I had a couple of highlights that made 2020 a little easier. The news that I would be getting the new life-saving drug, Kaftrio, for Cystic Fibrosis was a highly emotional moment which involved a lot of happy tears and celebrating with a couple of vodkas. Also, Liverpool winning the Premier League for the first time in 30 years was just incredible. Believe me, a lot of celebrating took my place in my house that night (well, just me and my Mam obvs). 


I wonder how you will look back on 2020? Has it shaped you as a person? Can you look back on this year and feel an immense sense of pride in how you kept yourself and others going through some of the toughest periods we will ever face? I think most of us can say that we are proud of ourselves. Except for the anti-Covid people, they can just simply f*ck off.


What will 2021 bring? God knows. With the news of the vaccine being rolled out in the UK, there is a small light at the end of a very dark tunnel and hopefully, that means some sort of normality will resume at some point in the year. I think a lot of patience is needed by us all for the start of 2021 but I hope that when I write a review for 2021, it'll be full of positives and I hope I can write that I made some lovely memories with family and friends and that I ventured further than my driveway. 


2020 will be a year like no other. 2021 could be the year we pick up the pieces of what 2020 has left us but hopefully, that won't take too long.


2020, it's time to say goodbye to you and hopes we NEVER have another repeat of you EVER again. 



*This post contains a PR product from Daisy Jewellery. The ring is the Estee Lalonde Trinity Ring in gold. This ring was sent to me for coverage on social media and a non-dedicated blog post. All 2020 views are my own. For more information, please read my disclaimer





59 comments
  1. I am so sorry to hear about your Grandad. It's good to hear that you had so many positives too. Receiving the life saving drug is huge and I'm so happy for you. I hope you have an amazing 2021 xx

    Hannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/

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    1. Thank you Hannah, I hope you have an amazing 2021 too! xx

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  2. I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandad, Lucy. But good news on the CF front, I'm so pleased, that must be such a wonderful feeling. I know what you mean about neighbours, we've become really good friends with many of ours, it's lovely how everyone has drawn closer. Fingers crossed it continues into 2021! x

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    1. Yeah it is Lisa, I can't wait to start using the drug, hopefully in the New Year! Neighbours have become great friends and they've done a lot for me this year! x

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  3. I am so sorry to hear about your grandad. The cf drug sounds really positive. I hope that 2021 is a better and safer year for us all. I wish you a lot of happiness and success for this year.

    Lauren www.bournemouthgirl.com

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    1. Thank you Lauren, I hope that 2021 is a better year for all of us too, it can't be any worse surely?!

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  4. I'm so sorry to hear of your loss at the beginning of the year! Fingers crossed 2021 holds many happy memories for you!

    Katie | katieemmabeauty.com

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    1. Thank you Katie, I hope 2021 gives you many happy memories too!

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  5. I'm so sorry to hear about your grandad, I can understand how hard it is to lose someone as my nan passed this year too. Summing up 2020 is a tricky one, it was really hard in many ways but for me it's been a big year of growth and learning and I was able to see how love really was all around me. I hope 2021 is a better year for you xx

    http://www.dellalovesnutella.co.uk/

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    1. Thank you Della, I'm so sorry to hear about your Nan. I agree lovely, 2020 has definitely a year of growth and I think we have all learnt so much about ourselves too. I hope 2021 is a good year for you too xx

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  6. What an awful start to 2020 you had. I’m so sorry to hear about your grandad.

    It seems like things improved though. The CF drug sounds like a huge win for you!

    I’ve definitely learned to appreciate the smaller things in life and 2020 has taught me not to take the simple things for granted. I wish you a happy, healthy and successful 2021 Lucy xx

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    1. Thank you Jaclyn, it wasn't an easy start to 2020.
      Yes it's huge for me, I can't wait to start taking it now!
      I hope you have a happy, healthy and successful 2021 too lovely xx

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  7. Oh that ring! Gorgeous!

    I’m so sorry about your Grandad, too many people didn’t see 2020 out and it’s heartbreaking.

    I just hope for all our sakes that next year is a better one for us all x x

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    1. It's so pretty, I adore it!
      Thank you Claire, yeah it's so heartbreaking that so many didn't see 2020 out, so many people have lost loved ones this year.
      Oh I hope so too Claire, 2021 needs to be better than 2020! xx

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  8. Hi Lucy, I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandad. It must have been difficult, not being able to get together with family immediately after the funeral. I love that you focused on the positives of the year though - especially the good news about your medication! I've also had some good news, finally getting an ADHD diagnosis and on the way to some treatment - and I'd probably never have found the time to do this without 2020 giving me so much quiet time at home. So there are some positives for me, too! Happy new year xx

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    1. Thank you Kate, it was a tough time, especially as we couldn't grieve properly as a family.
      Aww that's brilliant lovely, I bet that diagnosis is a relief for you! I'm so glad that there were some positives for you in 2020! xx

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  9. 2020 has been a weird one. From getting married to losing my grandfather, there were certainly alot of ups and downs!

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    1. It really has been a weird one, congratulations on getting married!
      I'm so sorry to hear about your grandad lovely x

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  10. Thanks for sharing, it has been hard to sum up 2020 without swearing, I do hope that this coming year is better :)

    Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

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  11. So sorry to hear about your grandad Lucy, that must've been incredibly difficult. Thats such amazing news regarding the CF drug. Hopefully 2021 will be the light at the end of the tunnel for us all x

    https://www.femaleoriginal.com

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    1. Thank you Faye, yeah it was amazing news about the new drug, hopefully 2021 will mean brighter things now! x

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  12. 2020 has been such a blur in a weird way I'm not actually sure if I'll remember it all as the years go by, just the pandemic in general rather than anything particular. I'm glad you still managed to find some highlights! x

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

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    1. Yeah that's a good point Sophie, I think we'll just remember the pandemic, but not so much the days in general x

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  13. 2020 has been weird for me, it wasn't the worst but it wasn't the best either. I graduated, redecorated my room, and got help with my mental health. However there was a lot of neighbour drama during the summer which made it harder to enjoy being at home! I do hope 2021 is better though, except for the anti-Covid people of course x

    Emily | emiliamarlowe.co.uk

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    1. I'm so pleased that you got help with your mental health lovely, that's such a huge step forward. Oh I don't like the sound of that neighbour drama! I hope all is ok there Emily.
      Yes, happy 2021 except for anti-covid people! x

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  14. 2020 is a hell of a year to sum up and not forget. So sorry to hear about your Grandad, such awful news.
    I'm a massive Liverpool fan so can imagine the celebrations and the excitement you had. Lets hope for a better and more positive year.

    www.nadinealex.blogspot.com

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    1. It is one year we won't forget in a long while!
      Oh the celebrations that night were unreal!
      Let's hope we have a better and more positive year!

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  15. Taking nothing for granted is definitely what I've learned this year. How grateful I am that technology exists as well, like you said, to get everyone on Zooms it was so important xx

    www.iridescentplaces.com

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    1. Imagine if we didn't have social media, FaceTime or Zoom to help us through this year! xx

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  16. 2020 is the year that changed all of us. I'm so sorry to hear about your grandad but its great that you've been able to take some positives from the year too. Its also amazing that you are getting the new life saving medication. That ring is beautiful too.

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    1. It really has changed all of us, hopefully things will get back to normal soon! Yeah it's always important to think of the positives rather than dwelling on the negatives, the ring is so pretty I adore it!

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  17. 2020 was definitely a weird and almost indescribable year. I am so ready for 2021 and I hope it brings us a much better year!

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    1. It really was Charity, I hope you have a great 2021!

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  18. I am so sorry to hear about your grandad sweetie, I know that pain all too well. All the best for 2021 lovely!

    Danielle xx
    https://www.thereluctantblogger.co.uk/

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    1. Thank you Danielle, that means a lot. I hope you have a great 2021 too lovely! xx

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  19. That ring is so gorgeous! So sorry about your grandad, but glad there have been some positives too. What a weird year its been and let's hope 2021 is better!

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    1. It's stunning isn't it?!
      Thank you lovely, that means a lot.
      There have been some positives to come out of 2020, but I do hope that 2021 is better!

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  20. So sorry to hear about your grandad lovely. Lets hope for a great 2021. x

    Zoey | www.zoeyolivia.com

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    1. Thank you Zoey, I hope 2021 is much better! x

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  21. I am so sorry to hear about your grandad, 2020 was a difficult year and it is very hard to sum up. I wish you all the best in 2021.

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    1. Thank you Sarah.
      I hope you have an amazing 2021!

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  22. 2020 for sure has been the hardest year! I am so sorry about your granddad! Hoping 2021 can bring a little more light!

    Amber | The Unpredicted Page

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    1. It really has Amber, I hope 2021 can be a better one for all of us!

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  23. Sorry to hear about your grandad. 2020 has definitely been a year most of us will never forget but there have been positives amongst the negatives too. That ring is lovely too!

    Tash - A Girl with a View

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    1. Thank you Tash, 2020 is definitely a year we won't forget in a hurry! You're right, there have definitely been positives amongst the negatives! x

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  24. I’m sorry to hear about your grandad Lucy. But you’re right, 2020 has definitely taught most of us to not take simple things for granted and to appreciate little things. I hope you have a lovely 2021.

    Lauren | https://www.wooloftheking.com/

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    1. Thank you Lauren.
      I hope that people have learnt to not take things for granted in 2021, I hope you have a lovely 2021 too x

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  25. Big hugs for your loss, I'm grateful my oldies have made it through the year unscathed. 💜
    As for the rest, I can definitely relate and as a 'depressed' person I've had to try extra hard to keep my mental health stable. Let's hope for a better 2021 💜💜

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    1. Aww that's so good to hear Fiona!
      2020 has made keeping mental health stable a difficult task for us all. I hope 2021 is better for all of us too!

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  26. I'm so sorry for your loss, Lucy. To write such a positive post despite the adversity you faced this past year is a true testament of your character. I'm glad you were able to still find light in this past year. The Lakers won for the first time in a decade so I know how that Liverpool win must've felt for you. I hope 2021 brings the healing and love we need. First, it starts with ourselves and taking pride in surviving this past year. Stay well.

    x,
    S | Je M'appelle Chanel

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    1. Aww thank you so much Chanel! Well done to The Lakers too! I hope you have a great 2021 too x

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  27. Lucy, I'm ever so sorry to hear about your Grandad. As if it wasn't a tough enough year anyway! 2020 was definitely one that will go down in history but despite the hardships of it, I'm also trying to look at the positives! I loved spending more time with my dog, I loved having my mum work from home for lunch time walks and chats. Though it was really hard, I am so grateful for having the time to stop and process some past trauma that I probably wouldn't have otherwise. There were many very awful parts for all of us and my gosh I hope there lies a better year ahead of us. Happy New Year lovely, wishing you good health and happiness!
    Alice Xx
    www.blacktulipbeauty.co.uk

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    1. I love that you're trying to look at the positives from 2020 Alice, I think that is definitely the right way to think back on 2020. I love all of these positives you have mentioned here, they're great! xx

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  28. I'm so sorry to hear about your grandad, Lucy. It's such a horrible thing to have to watch a loved one go through. ❤️
    While 2020 certainly brought out the worst in some people it was so nice to see those little moments of kindness in between it like people helping out their neighbours, clapping for the NHS etc. While the start we've had to 2021 doesn't seem all that promising I'm hoping that things turn around this year now that the vaccine is starting to be rolled out - fingers crossed!
    Amy | sassycatlady.com

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    1. Thank you Amy, I hope that 2021 can hopefully turn into a much better year than the last one we just endured!

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  29. I am so sorry to hear about your Grandad Lucy. I lost my Grandad at the end of 2019 so 2020 was even more of a struggle at times. Amazing news that you've received the life saving drug for Cystic Fibrosis! How fab was it when Liverpool won the league, it's a pity we all couldn't celebrate properly!x

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    1. Thank you Kelly, I'm sorry to hear about your Grandad also. Oh I know, I was gutted that we couldn't celebrate winning the league properly, but hopefully they'll win it again and we can hopefully celebrate properly then! x

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  30. 2020 was a tough year and I'm so sorry to read about your Grandad! I was small when I lost my grandparents but I think about them every single day! I've loved following your blog this last few months, I'm obssesed with your content!

    Rosie

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