Never have I ever met a bigger Debbie Downer or Party Pooper than 2020. HOWEVER, there were some happy sprinkles throughout the year that attempted to balance out the good and the bad. I’ve compiled a list of 14 things that I learned, experienced and accomplished this past year and wanted to share them with all of you! Go get some potato chips or something because this might be a long one. 

Things I learned: 

Fresh air really IS good for you

This is my mom’s go-to response for any complaint my sister and I throw her way. Whether I wake up with vertigo, my sister’s back hurts or I won’t stop asking what’s for dinner, my mom will say “Go get some fresh air. It’s good for you!” Now, is that what we want to hear? No. Is she right? That’s not the point. Over the course of the last two years, but especially this one, I learned that it is really important for me to get a walk into my daily schedule. It’s my time to listen to a podcast (I hear the podcast Happiness Talks is a really good one to walk to) and just chill out for a little bit. It might be hard to get out there but you will literally NEVER feel worse after coming back from walking. It’s just not possible. 

Who you want in your circle 

This whole pandemic thing really made me reevaluate my social situation. I have always been someone who values having a large group of friends. I don’t mean having a “clique” but I mean having friends all over the place! While I still value that, the pandemic has forced me to sort of tighten the circle of people that I see the most. I literally have 3 consistent people in my circle at school and one of them is my roommate so there are plenty that I am just not seeing a lot. Those friendships aren’t going anywhere, but now that I’m not meeting up with a new person every day to get food with, I have narrowed down my circle at school and at home. That doesn’t mean that I care any less about everyone else and I’ve realized that Facetime is a beautiful thing. Love it. Call me, beep me. I will always answer. 

Lonely is something you can see 

There are some people who really haven’t seen a shift in their daily routine with this pandemic because they are more introverted and really value alone time and personal space. If that’s you, great! But, there are people on the opposite end of the spectrum who have really struggled. I am part of both parties. While I really like my me-time and am introverted in many ways, something I miss is touch. I am an affectionate person and I miss HUGS. There are others who I’ve seen throughout the months who are clearly wired the same and are really struggling and it shows. You can see it. If you have someone in your life like this, give them a call. Go on a walk with them. Show up with some food or a gift or something just to remind them that it is allll going to be fine. 

I’m not a germaphobe but I’m not NOT a germaphobe 

Okay so hear me out. I have always been someone who likes to keep myself and the space around me clean. However, this pandemic has taken me to a whole new level. Am I the only one who has to shower and change my clothes after coming back home in order for me to sit on my bed or couch? IT MAKES SENSE OKAY. DIRTY CLOTHES = DIRTY GERMS = NOT GOING ON MY PLACE OF REST. 

I’m working on it. If anything, please just wash your hands. 

Stick with what makes you feel comfortable 

Doing this sounds a lot easier said than done, especially when everyone has their own levels of comfort in these crazy times. I know that for me, I am really careful about who and how many people I see at once and that I’m not really comfortable eating indoors. There were times where I felt like I was holding my friends back because we had to wait a long time for a table outside or we had to change our plans, but they were really supportive of it of course, because, well, because they are good friends! There were times where I didn’t WANT to have to ask if the reservation was for indoors or outdoors because I was TIRED of having to ask. I didn’t want to be THAT person. But you know what, you do you and I’ll do me. Whatever makes me feel comfortable is what I am going to stick with. Period! 

Things I accomplished: 

Attending my first press conference and asking BEN PLATT a question 

This was literally the coolest thing I have ever done in my 20 years on this earth. Moral of the story is, a seasoned journalist friend of mine asked if I wanted to tag along with her to cover the Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Club Man of The Year event. It just so happened that the man was Ben Platt. I got all suited up and took a first row seat, sitting next to journalists from places like People Magazine. When it came time to ask questions, my friend told me to raise my hand high. I was chosen! I literally blacked out. I didn’t even introduce myself or say where I was from. I jumped right into it and it was AMAZING. He was literally less than five feet away from me and there is a photo of him staring right into my eyes while I ask a question. Best day ever. 

Starting my podcast, Happiness Talks 

If you don’t already know and are living under a rock (I’m sure it’s a lovely rock), I launched my podcast back in October. It was something I always wanted to do, and actually, it was what Operation Happiness was originally supposed to be. It’s been so well-received and I have been able to interview really, really cool people so far. If you’ve taken a listen to an episode and really enjoyed it, feel free to head over to the podcast app on your iPhone and give the pod a rating or review! Would be greatly appreciated. 

Having a cupcake created after me and my stickers sold in a store 

This ALL happened because of my podcast! For my second episode I interviewed Taylor Stump, the owner and founder of the bakery Little Miss Cupcape in Boston and on Cape Cod. It was such a fun episode to record because we are both big balls of energy and together, well, we’re a lot. I had asked her at the end what kind of cupcake Operation Happiness would be and she made it and sold it at the store the next day. IT. WAS. DELISH. Plus, for now, you can get my stickers there too! So cool. So thankful. 

Getting involved in a non-profit I really care about 

Once Alex Trebek passed away after battling Pancreatic Cancer for four years, it really lit a fire under my butt to get involved. My grandpa passed away from the same disease when I was eight, and even though it’s been over 10 years since, I still feel like people aren’t aware of the disease any more than they were then, or at least, people my age. I am so excited to say that starting in the new year I will be joining the social media team at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Boston affiliate! I have so many great ideas and can’t wait to bring them to the table and raise awareness around the disease. WOOHOO! 

Becoming a master binger of television 

I am sure that everyone can relate to this, but ever since the OG quarantine began, my family has watched a lot of TV shows and movies together, which has been cute and wholesome and fun. Here is a list of all the shows I can remember that we have watched together since January:

Jack Ryan, Ozark, The Queen’s Gambit, The Wilds, The Crown, Handmaid’s Tale, Defending Jacob, Schitt’s Creek, The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Hunters, All American, Pick of the Litter, High School Musical The Musical The Series, The Last Dance, In the Dark, Selling Sunset, The Politician...
Greyhound, Hillbilly Elegy, The Prom, Happiest Season, The King, Ben Platt Live from Radio City Music Hall, Kevin Hart Zero F**ks Given, Trolls (x100), Trolls World Tour (which we paid $20 for), The Highwaymen…

That should be enough to get you through for now.  

Things I experienced: 

Going to Georgia for the first time 

Literally the week before the country shut down, I was in Savannah with my mom and sister visiting some family, living it up on vacay. It was really, really cool! Walking around downtown and seeing a ton of old, historic buildings was really awesome. I’m a sucker for stuff like that. Plus, I got to tan for a day. PLUS, the food was delightful. PLUS, the airport, which I normally hate because I hate flying, was really lovely. It’s funny because while we were there, we were hearing all the colleges start to announce that they were extending break for a few weeks. It’s crazy to think that we were traveling on an airplane seated so close to strangers without a mask or gloves essentially during the pandemic. Weird.

Developing a new worst enemy 

I try my best to be friends with everyone, I really do. But sometimes, lines are crossed and you realize that that relationship is toxic and will never work out. Unfortunately, this happened to me with dozens of...cockroaches. Yeah. You heard me. I can’t even get into the specifics because I am still TRAUMATIZED but go to my Twitter @megancklein and scroll - you will find the whole saga there. It has spiraled into a legit fear of those suckers and all bugs to the point where I have dreams, no, nightmares, about them. My roommate is the biggest trooper in the world for dealing with them and ME. 

Moving into my first apartment 

This was big-girl sh**. It really was. All of a sudden I was in charge of maintaining my own homestead, all 900 square feet of it. My roommate and I have experienced our share of hiccups with the building and apartment itself and to clarify, they weren’t OUR hiccups. It was stressful at times, a lot of times, BUT there is something about being able to go to Marshalls whenever you want and bring something back that you don’t need to your OWN home. Like a random glass candy jar or marble trash can. I fricken LOVE home good stores!

Making some sacrifices 

We all made sacrifices this year. Whether it was missing out on a vacation, summer camp, an internship, prom or Thanksgiving. Some may seem a little bit more important than others but missing something is missing something and it’s no fun regardless of what it is. I think that those sacrifices and what you cared about missing the most really showed what matters to us in the world. I know that for me, it was a major bummer not being able to do lots of things, from going to a baseball game to going to visit friends, but the event that made me the most upset was missing Thanksgiving. It’s my favorite holiday! I got over it and the day ended up being totally fine but it made me realize how much I value my family time.

And with that party people, I hope after reading this you reflect and think of at least one thing that you learned, experienced and accomplished over this insane year. Wishing you the happiest of holidays and a very happy new year!