As we close the door on a difficult year and work to manage our expectations for the new one, we asked some of our team members to give us all a boost by sharing their positive experiences from 2020. We loved their answers so much, we had to create two separate blog posts! If you missed Part 1 of this series, you can read it here.
In Part 2 below, we hear from Johnny, Miguel, Ana Maria, and Jesús.

Johnny D. Martinez, Head of Marketing & Business Development

In your opinion, what has been the best part of the year?
Everyone has been pushed beyond their comfort zone this year, and this means we’ve all had to grow and learn very quickly. When our lives settle into a routine, it’s very easy to become resistant to change, but this year forced an enormous amount of change on everyone, and we’ve managed! It hasn’t always been fun, but it’s been a big year for personal growth and refocusing on our values.

What have you learned this year?
I’ve learned to truly appreciate all the people in my life. When you’re stuck in the same place for so long, you miss people more than ever. For me, I especially miss my mum! I also learned that I can enjoy cooking! Normally it’s something I don’t like to do, but I learned to make South American ‘cachapas’ and ‘empanadas’ during lockdown, and it was fun!

Is there anything that happened this year that you can say you’re grateful for?
I’m grateful for the amount of time I’ve had to spend exercising, because it really helped my health. I’m grateful to all the delivery services that have kept the world running. And I’m so, so grateful that as a business we were able to pivot quickly and adapt to the circumstances to continue serving our clients. We have learned so much throughout this period and have faced so many challenges, but I know that as a company we are going into 2021 stronger than ever.

If you could describe this year in one word, what would it be?
BONKERS.

Miguel Rosciano, Junior Software Developer

In your opinion, what has been the best part of the year?
For me, the best part of the year was that I got my first job! I’ve been having such a great experience at Shocklogic and am learning so much every single day.

What have you learned this year?
I’ve learned to slow down, take my time over things and not rush. This really helps you appreciate things and be grateful for both simple pleasures and important milestones.

Is there anything that happened this year that you can say you’re grateful for?
I’m so grateful for my family and the fact that everyone is healthy, and I’m so grateful to have a job that allows me to help and support them.

If you could describe this year in one word, what would it be?
Appreciative/Thankful.

Ana Maria Sully, Client Relationship Coordinator

In your opinion, what has been the best part of the year?
The best thing has been a sense that I’ve reconnected with myself.  This year gave me the opportunity to re-experience emotions, thoughts, and experiences that I had forgotten I enjoyed.

What have you learned this year?
I’ve learned that everything is an opportunity to find yourself and reinvent yourself. This year has ultimately felt more like an opportunity than a difficulty. I’ve also learned to value the small things and the things I used to take for granted.

Is there anything that happened this year that you can say you’re grateful for?
I am honestly grateful for everything: for the love, the work, the growth, for what happened, for what didn’t happen. All in all, for everything.

If you could describe this year in one word, what would it be?
Growth.

Jesús Manuel Perez, Junior Web Designer

In your opinion, what has been the best part of the year?
The best thing was to find a job and gain some really wonderful professional development. I didn’t expect it under the circumstances, so now I’m really satisfied with my career progression, and I hope to go even further next year.

What have you learned this year?
Don’t take things for granted. Nothing is certain, and nothing is permanent. You have to let things flow. We have to accept what happens in our lives and try not to develop negative attitudes when bad things happen. Instead, we need to see everything as a learning opportunity. Whether things go according to plan or not, we can learn something from every experience.

Is there anything that happened this year that you can say you’re grateful for?
I’m so grateful that my close circle of family and friends has stayed healthy, and in fact, I feel like the pandemic has brought me closer to my loved ones than ever before.

If you could describe this year in one word, what would it be?
Learning

From the bottom of our collective Shocklogic heart, we hope that despite its challenges, you too found lots to be thankful for in 2020, and we wish you all the very best for 2021.

Written by Angie Harms, Copywriter/Proofreader