Episode 3 | One Year Later: Lessons from 2020

This podcast episode is very personal, transparent, and reflective. This month is the year anniversary of the global pandemic of COVID-19 and the year 2020 that changed all of our lives. As I am reflecting back on where I was at this time last year, it has really brought up for me a lot of the lessons I have learned in 2020 and especially the positive things that came out of the year.

When I think about where I was this time last year, it was pretty crazy. It was around this time last year that the city started to shut down and it was one of the last weekends that I was getting together with friends. A week later everything started to change. In this episode, I really just wanted to share what came out of 2020 for me.

Show Notes:
[02:01] Toya is sharing the positive things that came out of 2020.
[04:46] This time last year things started changing very quickly.
[05:41] By June, COVID really started to hit businesses hard which led to her having to lay off 29 of her very own team members.
[07:25] There were moments and milestones in the past year that have taught Toya lessons.
[08:34] Because it was a tough year most of us found opportunities for resilience. Everyone had to find a way to pivot and adapt.
[09:06] Two things that came out of 2020 for Toya were personal growth and joyful moments.
[09:33] Toya lost weight in the last year because she started doing daily yoga, virtual workouts, and she kept running. It helped her to lose over twenty pounds.
[10:51] The alone time, separation time, and isolation time gave her the opportunity the ability to focus on fitness. Consistency does become a lifestyle.
[12:07] During this time of COVID, her faith grew. She took to the YouVersion Bible app and the daily devotionals. It was also a great way to be connected with friends.
[13:39] She doesn’t think in all of her years as much time daily reading her Bible as she did in 2020. It was an opportunity every day to get into the Bible, pray, and have that connection with God.
[14:11] Another area she grew in was around boundaries.
[15:49] She got really good at saying no.
[16:35] With her not having activities to attend, she found herself working way more because she had nothing else to do.
[17:27] She got really good at boundaries and it is helpful now and beyond in helping in the mental health perspective so she can get more done.
[18:57] She focused on choosing happy and finding joyful moments. She started Mimosa Sundays.
[20:08] As the year went on, it was important for her to get back to some of the things she loved.
[21:30] Having moments with friends and connections brought her joy and she gave herself permission to do that.
[22:23] It was so important for her to take care of her mental health. It was important for her to take time away.
[24:18] Taking walks and self-care were important to her. Bubble baths weekly became a ritual.
[25:06] Connection was so important.
[25:49] When it comes to your mental health, you have to do what is best for you.
[26:18] Personal growth in her faith, finding those joyful moments, establishing boundaries, taking care of mental health and fitness was the good that came out of 2020 for her.
[27:09] What good came out of 2020 for you?

Links Mentioned on the Show From Toya:
Travel, Pray, Slay Podcast
Travel, Pray, Slay on Facebook
Travel, Pray, Slay on Instagram
Travel, Pray, Slay on Spotify
Toya on Twitter
Travel, Pray, Slay Merch