We are thiiiiiiiiiiiiis close to saying goodbye to 2020. I don’t know about you, but the last 365 days have been a dumpster fire of apocalyptic proportions. Has this year gone to plan for anyone? Anyone? No one? Just me?

That’s why in December we want to focus on some of our favorite things of 2020! Hopefully you will find something that will bring you a smile, ease the stress, and give you HOPE as the members of our Board share our 2020 favorites! I’ll go first… *cue Julie Andrews singing, Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…

Memories:

Teaching self-defense over ZOOM in India!

Photo description: Two women, one of whom is portraying the attacker and holding the other’s wrist. The other is demonstrating how to break free and escape.

When our Junior Board did a takeover for Week of the Girl!

Looking at photos and videos of our past trips, and continuing the work so we can go back to India, Kenya, and Rwanda soon! (Hopefully!)

And our events early in the year at the Hopping Gnome and Women Empowered Market!

Social Media:

I’ve almost completely given up Facebook this year, and it may be the best self-care thing I’ve done for myself in 2020.

@thelesliejordan is the light and joy that 2020 needed!

@kinggutterbaby (Laurel Bristow, MSc) is a DELIGHT! She’s a motorcycle-riding, adorable badass who is also an infectious disease researcher. She’s someone who is making staying informed during this pandemic a little more palatable.

@jessicamalatyrivera (Jessica Malaty Rivera, MS) is a wife, mom, infectious disease epidemiologist, and science communication lead. She breaks down the data for the rest of us, and has weekly Ask Us Anythings! I learn so much, and it’s become a weekend highlight!

@pantsuitpolitics have been on my radar for a couple of years now, but this was the year that I fully jumped in. I love Sarah’s morning IG news updates, and how both she and Beth graciously discuss topics from both sides of the political aisle.

@chrissyteigen has been a bright spot in my social media life for a while now, but this year was a little different. Chrissy went through a miscarriage recently, and she allowed us into her story - pain, tears, and all. This year I went through two miscarriages. My heart broke all over again in real time for her, but there is also so much comfort in knowing that we are not alone.

Netflix & Binge & Binge & Binge:

Great British Baking Show - GBBO has become my watchable soft, comfy blanket this year. No drama, no villains… just delightful British bakers using terms I don’t know like - soggy bottoms, saucy puds, Crème Bavarois, Frangipane, Genoise, and suet pastry. After watching five straight season so far - Do I know what any of those are? Nope. Does it bother me? Not a bit.

Hamilton - Seeing Hamilton live with my husband in Chicago in 2018 is one of the highlights of my life, but watching our boys watch it from our couch was a highlight of 2020. Here’s to staying young, scrappy, and hungry!

Yellowstone was a favorite binge with my husband! Legends of the Fall meets Succession - Kevin Costner and his ranch family will make you feel better about any drama going on in your own life!

Never Have I Ever - Mindy Kaling’s adorably hilarious gift to the Netflix world!

And, of course, my 2020 favorites list wouldn’t be complete without including my beloved Schitt$ Creek! It is usually my 15 hour plane ride binge on trips around the world, but this year it’s been another comfy, cozy rewatch! Plus you can have entire conversations with friends using ONLY Schitt$ Creek gifs. Try it - it’s fun!

Books:

Let’s start with 5 fiction favorites (with links to my favorite local indy bookstore) -

The Color Purple, by Alice Walker - My favorite book from the Shana Chivon Social Justice Book Club this year. I read it once in high school, but it held so much more meaning this time around.

The Book of Longings/The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd - Both of these books were chef’s kiss. Perfection. Every bit of them.

The House of Spirits, by Isabel Allende - I’m new to magical realism, and Allende was a perfect way to begin!

Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, by V.E. Schwab - If I could crawl deep inside any book this year, it would be this one.

The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennet - Twin sisters who take very different paths in life - one living as black, one as white.

Ok, I tried but can’t limit it to just 5. Here’s one more:

The Voting Booth, by Brandy Colbert - Two 18-year-olds on a mission to vote on Election Day encounter voter suppression, search for an IG famous cat, and other obstacles that come their way.

Nonfiction favorites -

Know My Name, by Chanel Miller - I listened to this one. Hearing her tell her own story was powerful.

The Dance of Anger, by Harriet Lerner - Wowzers. Where has this been all my life?

The Color of Compromise, by Jemar Tisby - The subtitle says it all: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity With Racism.

How to Be an Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi - Not being racist isn’t the same as being antiracist. Very big difference. Big. Huge.

Untamed, by Glennon Doyle - She is a treasure. Her story of unleashing her inner cheetah was equal parts kick in the pants and therapy session.

Love, Lucy - I’ve always loved Lucille Ball, and reading her own story in her own words was a thing of beauty.

On another note - I’ve started reading cookbooks from cover-to-cover for comfort reading. So there’s that. I’m fine. We’re all fine. Everything’s fine.

Podcasts:

The Popcast with Knox and Jamie/The Bible Binge - Come for the deep dives into pop culture, stay for all the laughs!

What Should I Read Next - Where do I get most of my book recommendations? From Modern Mrs. Darcy herself, of course!

Armchair Expert - I never thought I’d ride hard for Dax Shepard, but every interview is a DELIGHT!

Pod Save the People - DeRay McKesson explores news, social justice, activism, and politics. I’ve been a listener since the first episode.

The Lazy Genius - Kendra Adachi was new to me this year, and she made 2020 a little brighter! She’ll teach you how to be a genius about the things that matter, and lazy about the things that don’t!

Comfy Clothes:

What about you?

What are a few of your favorite things about 2020? We’d love to hear all about it - I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel sooooooo bad!

Here’s to growing through the hard parts, treasuring the good parts, and always holding on to HOPE.

Here’s to HOPE.

~ Ginger Lobdell, Founder of SheHopes