That Time 2020 Really Sucked—But Wasn't ALL Bad

Yes, 2020 sucked. All the plans that were so carefully set in motion in 2019, ready to start this new decade ablaze all flew out the window. It was like every time a mask was put on, another carefully made plan died. We didn’t go to Disney World or host our first Thanksgiving in our dream home. There was no weekend getaway to see the cast of Schitt’s Creek. There were no frequent visits to see grandma and grandpa in Florida. As someone who suffers from what can often be defined as debilitating anxiety and has a “self-appointed PhD” in “expecting the worst, hoping for the best (but really expecting the worst)”—I’m doing my best to focus on the little trail of good that 2020 brought. On some level, I was craving a reset—but not a full blown reboot. As I grapple with that, I’m pushing myself way out of my mental comfort zone to look back on the highlights, revelations and best ways I survived this most unexpected year.

• My husband has been on the frontlines of Covid probably before we even knew that Covid was a thing. It’s been rough but I’m in awe over how he puts on his uniform for every shift and keeps his head in the game . . .even though I know his heart breaks a little with every risk to his health (and ours) that his job needs him to take.  

•   My 5-year-old daughter is everything. She’s been resilient. She’s been my rock in ways she likely won’t understand until she’s an adult. She’s cracked me up and inspired me. She’s taken the ups and downs of the virus in great stride. Every time I fall apart, she lifts me up by finding a silver lining that I never expected.

• We bought a friggin house! At the height of the pandemic! But that’s how we roll in the West-Rosenthal universe. Almost 10 years ago, we had two weddings because of Hurricane Irene. So no surprise that we signed our closing papers in the safety bubble of our car. Our lawyer stood six feet away—wearing a mask and gloves—and witnessed it all from the windshield. Despite the less than ideal circumstances, I’d never felt such pride, relief and hope. Hard emotions to muster during a pandemic but we did it!

• Dawn Powerwash is my greatest—and most accidental—pandemic find. I’m not being paid to say that. During the height of the pandemic lockdown, cleaning supplies were scarce. While on an early “supermarket sweep,” I realized that my grocery store had little dish soap or dishwasher detergent—but they did have Dawn Powerwash. And now I buy three bottles at a time. I have no shame in my  hoard. It’s seriously the best way to clean dishes that can’t go in the dishwasher. And for some reason my daughter insists on choosing cups that can’t go in the friggin dishwasher.

• My biggest crusade of the pandemic? Finding the ultimate handheld vacuum. I obsessively went on Wirecutter and dissected Amazon reviews. I never knew the satisfaction that could come from zapping up crumbs.

• With that said, one of my greatest disappointments was the realization that I could not purchase a Roomba because our downstairs rooms aren’t level. I may or may not have cried  . . . and may or may not have considered getting one for every room. I didn’t. . . yet.   

• Old friends are the best friends. I’ve discovered during the pandemic that I can easily still spend HOURS on the phone with my best friends, my ride or dies who were my bridesmaids. In fact, my best friend since the 4th grade and I have reverted to our high school days with ease. Back in the early ‘90s, we called each other during every commercial break of Beverly Hills, 90210. In 2020, we catch up over Facetime for two hours before watching the Real Housewives together . . .  still on Facetime.

• Writing is still my lifeline. A fan of Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way since college, I took a Zoom workshop with her in September and have embraced her “morning pages” ritual every day since. I write three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness in my journal every morning before I even gulp my coffee. I get out anxiety, anger, frustration. I celebrate and face my fears. I give myself pep talks or beat myself up. I get it out before I say or do something that I might regret IRL.

• My Peloton is non-negotiable. I’m on the bike for 45 minute rides at least five days  a week. Even though my beloved instructor Cody has zero idea if I ride or not, I feel like I’m disappointing my boo when I don’t.    

• I actually have a daily skincare routine with creams, lotions and serums. . .

• I also have a massive collection of creams, lotions, serums, masks, scrubs and more that are carefully displayed and curated in my bathroom like a self-care museum. I  thought they’d turn my bathroom into a home spa. Spoiler alert—it didn’t.  

• PS: Make-up. What is that? I’m honestly not sure how much I’ll actually wear when I have places to go again. That is a weird. . . and liberating feeling.

• I didn’t read anything EXCEPT Jessica Simpson’s amazing bio Open Book. My goal for 2021 is a book a month. But for now, I regret nothing. One of my greatest career moments ever was being assigned a cover story on Jessica Simpson for CosmoGIRL! right before Newlyweds premiered on MTV. One of my most favorite—and awkward—moments ever was interviewing Jessica’s dad for said cover story and trying not to throw up in my mouth while he gleefully talked about how Jessica had finally lost her virginity to Nick on their wedding night . . . and was a “sexual woman.” Oh my G-d, I’m nauseous all over again.

• Podcasts became much more my speed and felt way more digestible than a book in 2020. Bitch Sesh and Comments by Celebs feed my Bravo addiction but Smartless with Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes is my absolute favorite ..  . and fine, I give my husband credit for introducing it to me. 

• I wrote the scripts for over 75 “Behind the Episode” editions of Bravo shows ranging from Real Housewives of Potomac to Southern Charm and a million in between like Summer House, Below Deck and Vanderpump Rules. It’s proof that doing what you love doesn’t feel like work. It also means I’ve texted with the “Grand Dame” and my life is complete. If you know, you know .

• Shows that gave me life (in no particular order): Never Have I Ever, Morning Show, Working Moms, Euphoria, Twenties, Pen15 and Cobra Kai. And hear me out . . . the Saved by the Bell reboot is a masterclass in how a reboot should be done.  Also, am I a bad person that I don’t want to watch The Crown? Or The Queen’s Gambit? Or The Mandolorian?  And have no interest in Bridgerton??

• FOMO – I think I finally kicked it . . .