Goodbye 2020: A Sunset Delightful + A Secret Disclosed

/ Ally Bean
A trippy sunset in late autumn. Doesn’t it remind you of tie-dye?

~ • ~

Would you like to know a secret? One that has to do with my word of the year, simplify, and with the plans I made in the beginning of 2020?

Well here it is: On the first day of spring I was planning to go on an extended hiatus from this blog.

Yes, I was all set to say *hasta la vista* to this blog and take spring + summer off, living simply as it were. Then I was going to come back to the blogosphere in the fall, with more bounce in my pounce.

With a new sense of purpose and direction.

A whole new me.

BUT THAT DIDN’T HAPPEN, DID IT?

Instead, as you may remember, the country shut down the week before my intended *see ‘ya later* meaning that Z-D began working from home [8 months now!] and I realized that personal blogging was going to be a good thing to do in the upcoming months.

Something positive to do.

Something normal and reassuring.

So, stating the obvious here, I kept this blog going and have continued to show up with my usual flapdoodle and twaddle, interspersed with helpful hints [I guess], and augmented with a modicum of snark.

Because I can.

And because I wanted to.

However, 2020 has exhausted me both mentally and spiritually. I will not lie.

And because I sense this upcoming holiday season is going to be stressful, zapping my energy in new ways while testing my patience with ill-mannered people, I’ve decided to call it a year, a few weeks early.

Thus I’m out of here until 2021, intending to return with a new word of the year and with a renewed sense of focus. Or maybe it’ll be the *same old same old* word and the *same old same old* focus. I don’t know yet for sure. Who’s to say?

I just know I’m tired, in need of a break from writing.

Stay safe, everyone. Please be here when I get back.

~ • ~

When Holiday and Pandemic Stress Collide via Psychology Today

How to fight ‘Covid fatigue’ as America heads for a deadly winter via The Guardian

Do you have coronavirus ‘caution fatigue’? via Fox News

What To Say To People Who Say You’re Being ‘Too Safe’ Amid COVID-19 via HuffPost

COVID-19 is not tired of us, says WHO chief via Yahoo! News

~ ~ • ~ ~

144 thoughts on “Goodbye 2020: A Sunset Delightful + A Secret Disclosed”

  1. In what is a completely fitting end to 2020, WP’s new block editor caused trouble. It forces me to schedule my posts, instead of publishing them immediately which is what I want to do. Then, on this post, WP changed the time I wanted to publish it. I guess you, my gentle readers, are seeing this… but I cannot be sure until someone comments. 🤨

    Liked by 4 people

  2. I wonder if the under 30 crowd at WordPress has any idea how they added to our stress this year. 🙂 I get it. I handle social media for a volunteer group, and I’d like to open a window and toss it out and be done, but I can’t find anyone to take it over. Take your break. Enjoy your break. I’ll be looking forward to a little snark when you come back. We may all need a mental break when the numbers come back from this coming weekend of stupidity. Stay well.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Judy, you ask a good question about the under 30 crowd at WP. The blockhead editor has complicated what used to be a simple fun process of write, edit, publish. Now everything takes extra clicks to make it happen, so it takes twice as long, literally. And those damned blocks are not a writer’s friend. Do. not. like. them.

      I intend on enjoying my time away from blogging, maybe all social media. We’re happy at home in our little two person bubble, so avoiding people is easy for us. What a holiday season this is going to be! 😒

      Liked by 3 people

      • I thought the new block editor was supposed to make things easier? I think I’m glad I haven’t had anything new to say so haven’t played with it. Enjoy your holidays and your break – don’t feel like you have to follow through and can’t post if you need to vent or need a little support from your bloggy friends. It’s been quite the year. I wonder if one day we will look back on it and chuckle, with a little snark.

        Liked by 2 people

        • Zazzy, the block editor is like work, making things complicated and time-consuming. That which I could do in a half hour, now takes twice the time– if I can do it at all. Forget about adding YouTube videos or easily adding color to fonts; you have to use hex codes again. And I cannot find how to add a pull quote. Simple things I used to be able to do in a second, now are a struggle.

          You make a good point about dropping in here if things get too odd and I feel the need to *chat* about them. Thanks for the reminder. I doubt that I’ll ever chuckle about 2020, but am certain I will snark endlessly about it.

          Liked by 1 person

  3. 2020 has exhausted us all, and I can’t wait until it’s finished. But knowing you’ll be back in 2021 gives us something to look forward to. Enjoy your time off!

    Liked by 3 people

    • Jean R, thank you for your kind words. I like blogging itself, but have come to despise the way in which I have to write my posts. I am tired on so many levels. I hope that you have a happy holiday season and will be able to stay safe at home. Stay safe, be well.

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    • Arlene, thank you. I look forward to returning, but only after I have some time off to just be me. We’ll do our holiday things safely at home, then I’ll get back to writing the words, snarling at WP. The usual, you know!

      Liked by 1 person

      • Haha, the WP thing will come. It just takes a little time to develop the brain muscle memory. Incidentally, my word for 2020 (gifted to me, not chosen) was Jubilation. That might seem ironic, but it has been an anchor for me. In every moment, there is Jubilation – a kind of release – somewhere. Maybe you can borrow that one for 2021? You can jubilantly release all frustrations with the WP learning curve.

        Liked by 2 people

        • I love your word of the year and what it has come to mean to you. I can see how it kept you anchored in goodness during 2020. Thanks for sharing it here. It well could be my next word of the year. 🤔

          Liked by 1 person

  5. Wise one, you!

    Blogging is usually a stress-reliever for me, so I’ll continue until mid-December and then take a break as I am wont to do with holidays.

    So, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year, until we meet here again!

    Liked by 3 people

    • Marian, thank you. I am tired, on many levels, so considering I didn’t do what I planned earlier this year, I’m going to bug out for the month of December. And right back at you with: Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year. Enjoy!

      Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you, shoreacres. I glanced at the info and know it’ll be helpful. So far the whole schedule a post situation has raised my blood pressure to an unhealthy level. May you have a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! See ‘ya later.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Those sunset colors remind me of my two favorite sherbet flavors-Orange and Raspberry. That was a gorgeous sky you had that evening!

    Enjoy your blogging break, and your holidays. I hope they aren’t as stressful as you fear. I’ll be here when you get back. I’m looking forward to catching up already!

    Liked by 3 people

  12. Ally Bean I think it’s contagious – I also want to bug out. And I will on some level. But, we’re travellng on Thursday and away for about 2 weeks. Not a pleasure trip, nay, we have to see to our vacated townhouse up on the highveld and decide what to do with it. The pleasure will be seeing old friends who I haven’t seen for a long while. So, enjoy the break, chillax as they say in the classics, Rest and regenerate and happy Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Susan, you’re onto something with your observation that many bloggers are taking a break during the holiday season. We won’t be doing any socializing which is ok, but also has put me into a super introverted headspace.

      I hope you are able to decide what to do with your townhouse and that all your friends are in good health. Catch up with you next year… and isn’t that a trippy thing to say?

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Beautiful sunset! Enjoy your break. I look forward to the posts that end up accumulating in your brain. If you are anything like me, your mind constantly takes notes of things to share.

    Have a relaxing break and a safe and healthy holiday season.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Ernie, I’m exactly like you. I’m always making a mental note, or a written one, about something that I think would make a good blog post. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year, too. Stay safe, be well. Later, ‘gator.

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  17. I am certainly going to miss your helpful and snarky self. I do hope you enjoy your holidays as much as you can and that you get the rest you need and deserve. You’ll be missed!

    Liked by 3 people

    • Suz, thank you for your kind thoughts. I enjoy being helpful and snarky, both attributes come naturally to me. HOWEVER, I am tired of writing the words and feel the need to become a recluse for the month of December. Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

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  19. Well, I will miss you but will be waiting when you return. As a blog reader, I appreciate all of the work you go through to write and post your blog for us. I have no idea how complicated it is but I know that reading blogs has kept me sane during our COVID stay-at-home days. I am so grateful to all of the bloggers I check on each day.
    Happy “all of the holidays” until you return! Thanks so much!

    Liked by 4 people

    • Ellen D, up until the arrival of the block editor blogging was not a chore, but this new system fights me every step of the way. The classic editor was better.

      Thanks for reading my blog. I appreciate you taking the time to do so. Considering how little has been happening in my life during these stay-at-home days, this blog has given me something to do. For that I am grateful.

      Happy “all the holidays” to you, too. See you later.

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    • Pam, I suspect this particular holiday season is going to be most unique, shall we say? I hear you about hunkered down together, although we’ve been doing okay so far… but December will be different somehow.

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Enjoy your break. I understand the need to take time off – I’ve been doing that for the past month or so, and I’m undecided as to whether or not I’ll go back to blogging. That will be decided if words start running around in my brain asking to be released – it’s not up to me.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Carol, lately I’ve had a few conversations with a few bloggers about how much longer we’ll be doing this. Or if we’ll start a new blog with a different focus, a fresh start in 2021. My point being that when you’re accustomed to letting your brain release the words, how can you ever stop? Rhetorical question, of course.

      Liked by 2 people

    • Maggie, I am exhausted by the post-election nonsense and the virus numbers escalating and rude people who should know better. I’ll take December to regroup, hoping to put myself into a better frame of mind for 2021. Stay safe, be well. Have a happy holiday season.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Margaret, since the start of the pandemic I’ve enjoyed engaging with readers on my blog, too– although it’s been difficult to keep up with replying to comments and writing new posts and reading blogs elsewhere. I need some space away from this form of interactive communication to just be, says the introvert.

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    • AutumnAshbough, this post didn’t appear in my Reader either. That’s why I wasn’t sure if it had posted. Apparently some people got it because look at all the comments.

      Like I said, I’m tired and staring at the sun set sounds great to me. I’ll be back but after I get some time to just enjoy December and the holidays, no matter how they unfold this year.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Janis, thanks for your support. I enjoy blogging but this year has taken a toll on my good nature. I figure that I’m not being paid to blog therefore I can make my own schedule which means this year I’ll take December off. You may join me, of course. 😉

      Liked by 2 people

  30. Ally, will miss you terribly but please have a wonderful, restful, holiday season with your hubby (and family if possible).. I will be looking forward to your new posts and new word for 2021. I’m not taking a break per say but definitely not blogging as much. I’m looking for my new word now.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Janet, thanks. This year it’ll be just Z-D and I, but I’ve no doubt it’ll be good. I’ve yet to feel the pull of any particular word of the year, but I figure if I just relax it’ll come to me. Have a great holiday season, and I’ll see you back here next year.

      Liked by 1 person

  32. Oh my goodness, Ally Bean–I didn’t get notice of your blog post for some weird reason but just happened to come visiting to see if you’d posted. Sending you a big virtual loving hug–may you bask in some appreciated time off until 2021. Will look forward to hearing more of your words come January. Stay safe, my friend!

    Liked by 3 people

    • Kathy, many people, including me, didn’t get notice of this post. Something went sideways when I posted it; WP was wonky. Thanks for the virtual hug, I appreciate it. And I appreciate the fact that you came looking for me. You’re the best. Stay safe and I’ll see ‘ya later.

      Liked by 1 person

  33. Enjoy your time away. It’s good to step away to refill the flapdoodle and twaddle wells. Hope you get to spent more time outside, even in the cold, and take more lovely pics like the on up top there. Merry merry and happy 2021!

    Liked by 2 people

  34. I won’t lie…I’m gonna miss you, Ally. I hope you come back in January, refreshed and with all of your snark intact. I can’t wait to read about your word for 2021. Happy Holidays.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Laurie, thanks. I like writing here, but 2020 has just about done me in, so I’m going to relax in December. Or maybe more accurately I’m going to get busy in a Christmas-y way and live in the moment which will be relaxing because it’s something different. Anyhoo, that’s my plan. Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year + any other holiday you might enjoy celebrating! Onward to 2021.

      Like

  35. A break sounds like a sensible idea. You can bake Christmas cookies. Have fun and come back with a spring in your step. See you then.

    What a beautiful sunset photo! Yes, it does remind me of tie dye. But since I used to do batik paintings, it reminds me even more of batik. The tree branches are like the crackle and wrinkles you get when you uses paraffin wax.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Nicki, I am tired, both because of the news and because we’re going into the shortest days of the year. I feel like I’m a bear who needs to hibernate for a while. Of course I’ll be one who bakes cookies and decorates her den so a snazzy bear, I guess.

      I hadn’t thought about how the photo looks like batik, but it does. I had a friend in college who was into batik. Such a cool medium. Thanks for putting that happy thought in my mind.

      Liked by 2 people

  36. All I can say it ditto. Ditto!
    Exhausted by so much clobbering: WP “improvements” (which seem mainly to cater to businesses instead of bloggers), COVID, politics, general ugliness and all the hyper emotions/hysteria..
    I feel a hiatus coming on – for the first time since I started. I stopped reading so many blogs that became unpleasant places. And as you say, blogging process used to be so easy
    Ditto.
    Time to recoup, and enjoy more flap and doodle.
    Will miss you as you were one of the blogs I was keeping up with you as it was always fun here.
    Cheers and happy holidays early. (and can’t wait to see all the stuff you store up and blurt out next year!) Hasta later

    Liked by 3 people

  37. I hope you come back refreshed and with renewed love for writing. It has been a bright space to come these last 8 months. Enjoy the holidays. Lovely photo, too!

    Liked by 3 people

    • J, thank you for your kind thoughts. I like blogging, but I also like feeling that I’m doing my own thing here from a place of enjoyment, not stress and confusion. So off I go to regroup. Happy all the holidays to you and yours. See you next year.

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  38. I will absolutely be here, waiting for you, tapping my foot and twiddling my thumbs. If I get tired of that, I’ll try tapping my thumbs and twiddling my feet. Then, when I get up off the floor, I’ll wait some more. Have a stress-free (haha) holiday season. HUGS!

    Liked by 3 people

  39. Ally, have a wonderful blogging break and holiday. Enjoy peace, quiet, holiday music and lights and whatever makes you happy. See you in 2021, which will be time to start anew and hope for a much better year.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Mary, thank you. I/we plan on doing holiday activities, just within the confines of our home. And I look forward to quieting my mind by detaching from all things social media. Let’s pray 2021 is a better year, one filled with good health and hope.

      Liked by 1 person

  43. I’m sad, but I understand. Kind of. I have found that reading the blogs of others (and yes, writing my own), has helped me with perspective, keeping sane, realizing during times I worry that we’re all in this together and our stories heal our impatience, our stress, and our sadness. So, I’m sad to miss your great perspective each time you post. You make me smile as I think. Take care this holiday season, and please…promise that you’ll be back! xo

    Liked by 4 people

  44. Enjoy your break. I had been thinking along similar lines before the pandemic hit us since I was posting so inconsistently, often with long breaks in between posts. Thank you for the links to the articles. I went right to the one from the HuffPost about what to say to folks who think you’re being too careful. Silence on that score has been my friend lately. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    • Robin, taking spring and summer off was a sound plan, but then everything changed so I kept writing. You too, obviously. I like writing this blog, truly enjoy chatting with people in the comments, but I am tired right now– not ill, just weary. I agree with you about silence. We are doing this pandemic our way, very carefully. Others may do what they choose… far away from us. 😐

      Liked by 2 people

  45. That I am only just seeing this today, four days after you posted, is testament of sorts to my own fatigue/overwhelm. I look forward to the return of your helpful flapdoodle, twaddle, and snark. If/when it feels right. In the meantime, take care.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Rita, I understand what you’re saying. I was feeling overwhelmed writing this simple little post, so I figure I’ve made a good decision to put this blog on hold for a month or so. I also was falling behind reading the blogs I follow, another reason to take a breather and regroup. Have a great December, take care, and enjoy what you can. See ‘ya later, ‘gator.

      Like

    • Priorhouse, yes last year I did a December challenge on IG instead of blogging here. This year I’m going to lay low all over social media while I regroup. Don’t get me wrong, I like all the ways in which I connect online, BUT I also like being in my own little [old-fashioned?] world detached from all that is virtual. Happy December to you and I’ll see you in 2021.

      Liked by 2 people

      • Sounds good and no hurry – but did you ever share how your windows came out? If you posted about – just let me know and I can read it. It o know at one point you were pondering which window treatments to go with??

        Liked by 2 people

        • Funny you’d remember that conundrum. In the end we went with wood-look slated blinds on some of the windows, replacing the original blinds that were made of wood. The new blinds appear to be wood and are, imho, as pretty as the authentic wood ones– not to mention less expensive. On the other windows we went with roller shades that allowed us to keep our drapes as is. Both window treatments are from Hunter Douglas and I couldn’t be happier with the result. Thanks for asking.

          Liked by 1 person

  49. Ally, as many have said, you will be missed and I will also be looking out for your return – in whatever form you decide it will take.

    I pulled last week’s post on my blog at the last minute as I was aware I’d written it while feeling decidedly peeved. I’d made a pact with myself never to post when feeling het up or overly emotional – and it was both. I’m now looking at my scheduled post for tomorrow and wondering whether or not to join you in taking December off. It’s very tempting, for all the reasons you mention. Sigh.

    Take care, enjoy your bubble-a-deux (as will Himself & I) and most important of all, keep safe.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Deb, thanks for your kind comment. I enjoy writing this blog, really I do, BUT I am tired. Call it covid exhaustion. Call it holiday angst. Call it what you will, but I really need a break from communicating exclusively with written words.

      I know what you mean about writing when peeved and I try to never do that, too. I like to use my personal observations/irritations in a positive way, trying to rise above the fray. I also like to process my life slowly so if nothing else this December will give me that opportunity.

      Love your “bubble-a-deux” phrase. It’s our theme here, too. Have a happy December and I’ll see you next year.

      Liked by 1 person

  51. Hmm – well you’ve skedaddled off and you won’t read this message until 2021. I have wondered where you’ve been lately, not only absent from commenting, but also from posting. I know I’ve been behind in Reader for several months and over Thanksgiving I made it a point to catch up, only to fall behind shortly thereafter. But nothing from you in my Reader feed, so I strayed over here. The date stamp on posts show me you said goodbye more than a week ago. I returned to Reader – no post from you that I might have missed. I’m glad you are okay and just on a blogging break. I am cutting down to two posts per week starting January as I am finding it impossible to keep up and write my picture-laden posts, much as I enjoy doing them. I have six weekends of photos to sort through right now. I tried to get that done over Thanksgiving and the time flew by and I didn’t do it. I wish I’d waited until retirement to start a blog sometimes. I hope you enjoy your time away. The picture above is mellow with those colors. I get telephone wires and rooftops if I try to shoot a sunset in the ‘hood. Best in the new year to you Ally and continue to stay safe.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Linda, thanks for looking for me. I’m checking in here every day to reply to any comments. Something went terribly wrong when I posted this. It is here, but many people never saw it in their Readers and some didn’t get it in their emails. I don’t know why and am too tired to investigate. It just seem soooo 2020, doesn’t it? Perfectly on trend. 🤨

      I understand about how blogging can take over your every extra minute. When I started blogging I was a daily blogger; now I usually post once a week and try to keep up with everyone who stops here to comment. I enjoy getting to know people, so many interesting writers– but it can feel like work sometimes.

      Happy all the holidays, Linda. Stay safe, be well. See ‘ya next year.

      Liked by 1 person

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