No, I didn’t “hustle” in 2020 and that’s OK!

I saw someone comment this week on LinkedIn, recapping their achievements in 2020, lots of certs and Trailhead badges…..YAY! However, this person also felt the need to then state that “if you didn’t find time to hustle in 2020 during a pandemic, you will never find the time!”

That is where my enthusiasm for the post was most definitely curbed! I felt attacked in one way, and really protective in another. Attacked because I felt SEEN! At the end of the year, I reflected on my 2020 and realized that I hadn’t managed the same rigor with certs and badges as I had previously. This has been a mental game I’ve played with myself over that last few years in this industry, and I’m sure you have at some point as well. It is hard to see all the (seemingly) endless posts about badge and cert count on social and not feel that whole “I’m not doing enough” thing. As I wrestled with the feelings this post stirred in me, my dear #SaalMate4Life, Melinda, posted a meme on IG and I wished I grabbed it to post here. It was something along the lines about being gentle with yourself, something Melinda has said to me NUMEROUS times over the years because I most definitely am not.

Her post and the Linkedin post moved me into protective mode.

Protective of my family- while I didn’t do a cert and badge run in 2020, I found how to make it through a PANDEMIC with my family. We all are healthy, safe and learning together to navigate this new reality.

Protective of my mental health- New marriage, blending cultures, homeschooling, endless Zoom video calls and increased work load in 2020 all led to me having a bit of a mental breakdown. I pushed through so much, without being gentle to myself, that one day I just couldn’t function. I’m beyond grateful for the support of my family and The Crevalle Group during that time and rest period. That break allowed me to recuperate and center myself.

So to all of you hustlers who managed to keep up the grind in 2020, I see you and I will always be loudly clapping.

And if your 2020 was similar to mine, I see you too.