A Year in Review: Capricious 2020

It feels that I have been writing ‘A Year in Review’ just a while ago - wrapped in a blanket and with laptop in my lap, typing about my previous adventures and daydreaming about new ones yet to come. I excitedly made grand plans, painted mental images which places I will travel to, what new things I will experience, how fun my upcoming year will be…
But as John Lennon famously said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”.

I am still quite perplexed how fast 2020 flew by. It struck us all unplanned and unprepared, while forcing us to rethink how we truly lived. I am firmly convinced that the world has slowed down specifically for us humans to rediscover ourselves. Whole world truly hit a pause button.

 After an optimistic start of previous year with plenty of destination weddings booked at brand new locations, the unforeseen happened - I found myself, as much as you did, in a lockdown, but far away from my friends and family. Believe it or not, I have spent 80 and something days in 1-bedroom apartment with my cat. I had days of optimism because I finally had time to do everything I wouldn’t normally have time for during the busy wedding season, but I also had days of despair and anxiety for the unknown, wondering how I will keep moving forward.

I had roof over a head and food on a table, so I can’t really complain. Many people around the world weren’t as lucky as I was. That was the main thought that didn’t allow me to get my spirits down, and I guess my positivity eventually got rewarded.

I am sure you will have hard time to believe it, but I have met someone amazing during the pandemic who has been my sparkly star and wind in the back ever since, teaching me numerous lessons about patience, unconditional love and most important, myself. I have finally truly learned that,
with the right partner and an open mind, there are no obstacles which can’t be conquered
​and storms that can’t be withstand.

I decided to keep hustling and have upgraded my photography skills to filmmaking, learned video editing and bounced into wedding video production. With a support and faith of my ex-bride, I am thrilled to be owning a brand specialized in high-end and royal weddings in Middle East and worldwide. Soigné Production came to life as a result of never-ending  desire to grow, and we cannot wait for boarders to open to start tackling some of the most luxurious wedding destinations.

Things I have learned in 2020:

•  Sometimes you just have to do things for yourself. By yourself.
  
  
• Inner peace and stability is one person job.
  
  
• All the things you saw, heard and experienced are part of you. They will always be a memento of your journey, and no one can take that away from you. It is okay to simply have gratitude and let go of the past as you evolve.
  
  
• Being alone shouldn’t mean loneliness.
  
  
• Not knowing is so much more filled with an opportunity than knowing.
  
  
• Not everyone is able to deal with things the same way you deal with them. It doesn’t mean someone is coping better or worse, just different. Understanding and truly accepting this diversity will allow more compassion towards others pain knowing that not acting and responding the way the way you wish, doesn’t mean they don’t mean well

• I know it sounds a total cliché, bit I would rather have a few trustworthy people next to me that I care about  (even if not physically close), then whole bunch of acquaintances around me. 

• No connection should be neglected due to distance with today’s technology, and there are people you just make time for when they need you.

• Perfection is procrastination in disguise. 

• People and things will never be perfect, but if they are there for you when you need them (even in their own imperfect way) they are perfect enough. 

• It is okay to have days you are just “not yourself”. The trick is to recognize it and allow yourself to pass through it. Without self-judgment. 

​But the biggest lesson I have learned in 2020 is that there are some moments in our life that simply change us forever… And there are people who make us see the world through new eyes. 
Life is the most beautiful when lived with curiosity and love - knowing every new day is a miracle, every caring touch is faithful, and every breathtaking kiss makes the time pause for a bit.
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So at the end, 2020 brought me much more than I had ever though I will ever receive in one year. I promise myself that I will keep observing the life with eyes filled with interest and enthusiasm, questions and passion. Because the real secret of being a human is to just stay curious and allow things to be seen for what they might be, not what they are.