It’s easy to lose my breath for a moment when I hear someone say, ‘2020.’ I know it has been a tough year for many people, for many reasons. (While acknowledging an abundance of privilege) I have to say it hasn’t felt that way for me, despite the challenges. This year started like any other. New job, newish City, newish boyfriend 😉

Berlin was a rough start in 2019 after I was let go with little reason from my first job. Six weeks after uprooting my life, I was unemployed in the cold, grey, European winter. Hustling on a budget. I didn’t stay because I loved Berlin, I stayed because of Lucas. Since then I’ve used a bit more of my heart in all of my decision making.

I started a new job at the end of 2019 with high hopes for the new year. (I think we can all relate to that) And despite COVID, atop a number of other obstacles, 2020 both failed and exceeded any expectations I may have set for myself.

So where to begin? In January I returned to Nairobi to take part in a beautiful memorial party for Jason Spindler. What we loosely planned as a gathering to share hugs and memories, turned into a series of significant life changes inspired by the question, “What would Jason do?” People shared new businesses, dropped old nagging habits, prioritized love and life. Everyone had taken his untimely departure as a call for action in their own lives. A reason to raise the bar. The atmosphere was filled with the presence and energy of Jason himself.

Lucas came with me to get to know home, and family – Nairobi style.

Then the travel continued (literally) right up until the first lockdown! We spent a long weekend in Mallorca visiting Lucas’ sister, and then spent our 6-month anniversary in Paris!

Our travel party quickly came to a halt and COVID started taking a front seat almost immediately. First, it foiled our plans to move in together. We gave notice on our respective places, and I had even moved my stuff into our new flat, when COVID sent the owner of the flat back to Berlin indefinitely. We took turns living out of suitcases for two months before finding the most beautiful long term flat. Even added a few touches of home 🇰🇪

Shortly after moving into our new apartment, I parted ways with my second job in Berlin. I learned a little bit about German corporate law, and a lotta bit about prioritizing passion and fit in my profession. Unemployed for the second time since moving to Berlin, I took a 1 month trip to the U.S. to spend some time with my family and friends.

While in the U.S. also finally started learning German and took some steps forward on making a (secretly) long-pondered career change. I applied and was accepted to the Masters of Counseling Psychology program at Sofia University (California, not Bulgaria). I am going to become a Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapist. This is a career path that I’ve been pondering gently over the last couple of years with growing interest and curiosity. 2020 has afforded much time for reflection, and cracked me open in many unexpected ways. As a result, I have never felt more sure of a direction. I begin Fall 2021.

After returning from the U.S. I savored every moment of my European summer. Teaching fitness classes in the park, organizing outdoor barbecues, exploring the lakes surrounding Berlin, attending boat parties, and most notably, spending an incredible week in Greece celebrating my 1 year anniversary with Lucas.

But as all good things must come to an end… the days got shorter, the temperatures cooled, and I got a full-time job! All right in time for the second lockdown in Germany. Coincidentally, I also tested positive for COVID (very thankful for the timing). After lockdown started, I was placed on kurzarbeit (literally translated to “short work”) which enables the company to retain me for reduced cost and reduced hours. I’ve maintained a few online courses for BEAT81, and if you want to workout with me, click the link to sign up!

With additional time on my hands however, I’ve also taken the time to get a few pet projects off the ground. I setup my fitness instagram @c3fitness_ with a basic but functional website. I set up another LLC for a project that is still in the works… more to come in the first half of this year. And!! speaking of “pet” projects… WE GOT A PUPPY! It’s been a long, complicated, and very emotional process from the moment we got him to transporting him to Germany from the U.S. I present you Socrates! (also has his own insta @thisissocrates_)

Socrates is a Shih-poo bred in Cincinnati, Ohio. We found him with the help of my mom and met him several weeks later during my first trip home for Christmas in 6 years! Christmas and New Years with the family was more than just a treat. Lucas came home to meet the family for the first time too 🙂

2020 departed with a silent thank you for all my many blessings. Just before departing Germany for the holidays, I was in the airport scrolling through my grid. I realized that my sentiment for the past several years has been, “Whoa, 20XX was a shitty year, I hope next year is better.” I know 2020 felt (and was) more disastrous, but each year has brought me as much sorrow as it has joy.

So while I have many hopes for 2021, My only resolution is to stay super present. To mean all of my words and actions. And to keep my heart and mind open for what lies ahead. But as we’ve all learned, plans are kinda silly 😉

Stay safe and healthy friends.