2020 was a whirlwind of changes, a total hot mess if you ask me. I had high hopes for it to be better than 2019, but boy was I wrong. So much went down that it’s hard to keep track of it all.
Changes Abound
The past year was a rollercoaster:
- WFH became the new norm (just like everyone else)
- Struggled with not taking enough breaks
- Failed miserably at unplugging on days off
- My workout routine went kaput and is still in shambles
- Neglected professional training big time
- Rode the pandemic emotional rollercoaster from hope to despair
- Binge-watched way too much TV
- Totally ghosted my blog for a while
- Slacked on podcasts and audiobooks once the commute disappeared
- Lost a dear friend out of the blue
Most of this stemmed from adjusting to the new normal. I dropped the ball on training, let work projects gobble up my time, and failed to stick to an exercise schedule or take proper breaks. And don’t get me started on the TV couch-potato trap — hours vanished like magic.
Then there were the things I simply missed out on. I was stoked to join PASS Pro in September, only to hear in December that PASS was shutting down. By early October, I was so fed up with the news and social media negativity that I turned a blind eye, peeking out every now and then like a curious groundhog.
Some Tougher Changes
Losing my best friend to pneumonia and blood clots hit me hard in 2020. Our last conversation ended in an argument, and before we could patch things up, he was gone. So not only do I mourn his loss, but I also carry the weight of that final disagreement.
And let’s not forget the election drama. I steer clear of political sides and focus on the issues, but unity feels like a dwindling concept.
Keeping the Hope Alive
It wasn’t all doom and gloom. I migrated the blog to AWS — challenging but worth it. At work, I finally convinced management to invest in SQLSentry, which opened up a lot of learning opportunities. Looking ahead: Windows Core for SQL Server, IaC for SQL deployments, encrypted connections, and leveling up my AWS game.
Here’s hoping 2021 switches gears from dumpster fire to something more upbeat. Cheers to better days ahead.
Key Takeaways
- WFH without structure is a trap — boundaries and breaks take real, deliberate effort to maintain.
- PASS shutting down was a significant loss for the SQL community and landed in an already rough year.
- The small wins (SQLSentry, AWS migration) still count, even when the year as a whole was rough.
- Grief and unresolved conflict are a brutal combination. Don’t leave important conversations for later.