In the immortal words of Ross Geller, we all would do well to learn to pivot.

In life. In direction. In expectations.

If nothing else, 2020 has taught us that the best laid plans are merely a rough sketch of the reality we’re likely to face.

Weekends that were once made for beach outings and culinary crawls through local downtowns have morphed into quick takeout runs and off-peak picnics at the shore.

Weekly chores and piles of laundry have become exercises in sorting beach towels from pajamas, in preparation for yet another week of zoom meetings spent donning an evolving collection of slippers and leggings.

Shopping excursions now solely consist of mindlessly browsing virtual aisles on the off chance that in-demand cleaning product might be back in stock, and feverishly adding groceries to our cart before our delivery window expires.

Plans, should we dare look beyond the day at hand, largely remain pencilled in lightly, eraser at the ready, pending everything from pandemics and protests to weather and general motivation to... well, push ourselves to function at all.

Not exactly the year we all eagerly counted down to, I would imagine. But truly, has there ever been one that met, never mind exceeded, our lofty expectations?

As we approach the halfway point, it seems ill-advised to allow ourselves to dissolve into complete complacency. There’s still plenty of time for plans and progress; just as these first six months were hardly what we’d hoped for, who’s to say the next batch won’t elicit a few surprises of the more pleasant variety?

And if not, well, best continue to pivot until you clear that corner. No telling what’s around the bend.

Published: June 22, 2020