Chapter Twenty Two: Written by Fiona Lee
On 2020 Stories (continued)
Name: Fiona Lee
Age: 27
Ethnicity: Chinese
Location: Central Jersey
Occupation: UX Designer
After reading the 2020 stories, there were several parts and experiences that stood out to me. Particularly because some felt like they were speaking to me while some felt like the same sentiments I had experienced in 2020, which felt really nice to learn that I wasn’t the only one.
“Until then, channel gratitude for the precious opportunities you still have and don’t forget to take a moment to yourselves right now. Don’t forget to breathe. Don’t forget to live: All you got is right now. This world doesn’t wait for anyone.”
— Calvin Sun
We always try to be in control of our lives, but there are many things that are out of our control, and we have to accept the current situation and make the most out of it. What Calvin said was very accurate, “All you got is right now. The world doesn’t wait for anyone.” It’s a good reminder to tell myself to stop waiting and start doing, and 2021 is exactly my year of taking actions, making mistakes, and becoming better. I started investing in stocks and ETFs, filming YouTube videos, and partaking in creative projects.
“The pandemic bought me time to reorder my priorities and slowed down time in my life to focus on new goals. It was a reset button.
Preparation. That’s the season God placed me. 2020 was a hard year, yet I was not the only one affected by the pandemic lockdowns. I do not have control over my external circumstances, but through prayer to God, persistence in finding a solution, and support from amazing friends, I found a path that allowed me to not just survive, but thrive in a pandemic.”
— Eric Gan
Every aspect of my life was very good before the pandemic. At least, that’s how I perceived of it. As always, I tried to live a fulfilling and productive life. I tried to make the most out of my time by filling it up with my career, side hustles, my friends & family, and social hobbies, such as yoga and baking to a point that I never left any “me time” for myself to sit and reflect. Or lie down and do nothing and binge watch 5 hours of Netflix. Until this pandemic happened. It felt like “it was a reset button.” My lifestyle completely changed. I slowed down, reflected on my life, thought about what gets me excited, and improved my financial goals. I was always financially healthy being able to save over 65% of my income, but little did I know about retirement and investment accounts. Because before the pandemic, I allocated most of my time to friends, family, colleagues, and my Instagram foodie community, I didn’t spend enough time on myself or focus on how to improve as person. With the abundance of free time, I restructured my lifestyle and allocation of my time, which allowed me to grow and learn many new things I never knew about. I spent more time testing out new recipes. I attempted to buy my first house. I checked out countless houses and put a bid on a few but ended up houseless, which ultimately led me to the decision of moving back home with my parents. It’s so precious to be back home, to be able to spend time with my parents, and eat home-cooked food every night, which improved my health tremendously and increased my savings too! Also, because it was difficult to physically see or hang out with my friends in-person, it allowed me to reconnect with even more friends who I didn’t get to see often but in a much more efficient way. Life was good before the pandemic, but life is even better in every aspect. “I found a path that allowed me to not just survive, but thrive in a pandemic.”
“1. what is one thing you are leaving behind in 2020?
2. what is one thing you gave birth to in 2020?”
— Aisha
In 2020, I said good-bye to my beliefs that were outdated, to the people who didn’t serve me, and to my lifestyle that restricted me.
2020 was a year that gave birth to my cocktails Instagram @cocktailswithmeNYC, which led to numerous new and unexpected opportunities.
2020 is a year that allowed me to learn to un-learn and relearn. Many things I thought was not possible, but 2020 proved me wrong.
For 2021, I look forward to continue making mistakes, learning from them, and growing from my experiences.
Follow Fiona’s new cocktails Instagram page:
@cocktailswithmeNYC