A lot can happen in a year.

This past year was perhaps the greatest year in our lifetime, a sentiment universally shared. A pause in which to enjoy stillness. No one was exempt. As the months rolled by, there was a comprehensive familiarity with continuing on with life hidden within the walls of our home. This organically revealed the best and worst in us. From my experience, the positive, silver linings out-staged the latter. We valued the virtual check-ins with our friends and family. We experienced deeper conversations with the people we quarantined with. We mastered Zoom amidst the inescapable household distractions. We took the time to look inward. So, what has this particular year taught me? Here are the 24 things I learned at 24 surviving a year like 2020.

(In no particular order.)

1. Family is everything.
2. Journaling is your safe space, not meant to be a Pulitzer Prize contestant.
3. Discovering your voice is painful but not more than staying silent.
4. People are more willing to talk with you than you think. Just reach out.
5. Everything in life happens for a perfect reason — and timing is impeccable.
6. If they’re not in the arena getting their ass kicked with you, don’t be interested in their feedback.
7. You see a version of yourself you can’t stop dreaming about, now is the time to take the necessary steps to become her.
8. Vulnerability is terrifying and yet a rewarding experience. It sets you free.
9. Success is a series of small victories.
10. Stay true to yourself and work hard because the universe has a way of bringing you the right people and opportunities when you’re ready.
11. Hard work always pays off.
12. Taking up space in a relationship isn’t selfish, it’s actually what keeps it sustainable.
13. Don’t focus on the pain, see it has a lesson and grow from it.
14. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people catalyzes personal growth.
15. Korean dramas and variety shows are actually more entertaining than American productions.
16. David Goggins’s mental toughness is insane but admirable.
17. The discovery of you is the series of mistakes that had to happen.
18. The habits you created to survive will no longer serve you when it’s time to thrive. Get out of survival mode.
19. You always have the choice to change your mind: new habits, new routine, new thoughts.
20. Attending Zoom university sometimes feels like talking into a dark abyss.
21. Achieving my dreams and comprehending my full potential actually scares me.
22. Don’t underestimate the power of consistency.
23. I’m not the same Christine from even a few months ago. I don’t recognize her.
24. A lot can happen in a year.