2021 is here, and whether the pandemic leaves us this year or not, the last year has taught all of us valuable lessons. We spoke to a few well-known faces and asked them what the most important lesson they learned in 2020 was. Here’s what they had to say:
- It is integral that you learn to respect yourself
According to Stigmata frontman Suresh de Silva, it’s difficult to pinpoint any singular thing as the whole of 2020 has been a year of challenges, loss, hardship, and lessons learned. “However, I looked at it as a period of potential for personal growth, and completed my higher academic and professional studies. Work wise, I won some and lost some, but overall, as a Creative Consultant and Brand Strategist, I was able to do some fine work. Music wise, Stigmata has always been very progressive and we adapted pretty quickly to the changes of the industry and while taking a hit with a lack of concerts and overseas tours, we released new music on all leading streaming platforms globally and released some cool merch thanks to Empire Clothing Inc.”
The band was able to ascertain engagement and interaction with their supporters by embracing the advent of digital technology and having a disruptive and quirky presence on social media. “I also launched my voice artistry channel during the first lockdown, my podcast S & M and my writing is ongoing; hoping to release a collection of short stories and a novel next year if all goes to plan.”
So, in a way, de Silva looked at finding opportunities through the hurdles and obstacles this year. “It was a lot of hard work. I made a lot of personal changes and decided to get into shape and to make the most of my talents and what I have been blessed with in 2020.”
He shared that perhaps, the one major lesson though was to be able to identify how integral it is to learn to respect yourself: “Not taking things personally and to channel my efforts and energy into making the most of each day and night, as time is scarce and life is really feeble and short.”
De Silva said he’s learned to gauge that we all have our shortcomings and struggles and loss is subjective. “Pain is universal but personal to each of us. And this pandemic has taught many of us to appreciate what we have, instead of stressing over what we don’t.”
- The value of sobriety and personal contact
Sri Lankan science fiction author and researcher Yudhanjaya Wijeratne, best known for his books Numbercaste and The Inhuman Race, shared with us that one thing he would certainly take away from this year is to value personal contact, while sober.
He shared that so much of our connection with people is based on alcohol, it seems almost ritualistic as a result. We have all acquired many acquaintances, but very few of them whom we can call true friends – those who actually know the depths of our hearts, people with whom we have very few meaningful conversations with, giving way to meaningless chatter which takes prominence. Wijeratne has learned we should focus a little more on cultivating those personal one-on-one conversations not surrounded by alcohol.
- There is opportunity in adversity
Pro-certified makeup artist and owner of The Wax Museum Nadiya Fernando said: “There is opportunity in adversity and therefore it’s important to be versatile. Some situations are out of our control so it’s up to us to adapt to that situation.”
The same time last year, Fernando thought 2020 was going to be just like any other year but better. Her business was doing very well. “We had record numbers of pre-booked weddings. In January and February, I was hardly in Colombo because I was travelling around Sri Lanka to attend to my bridal clients. Then March happened and everything came to a standstill. My research showed me that my industry will be one of the worst hit and the pandemic was going nowhere in the near future. So I had to make viable and yet difficult decisions,” said Fernando.
She said that she decided to adopt some changes: “I closed the physical salon and let my 15 staff go in order to cut my overheads. I realised my home studio was sufficient to attend to my clients. Weddings take place on location anyway so I didn’t need a salon for the purpose of dressing brides.
“I also give my clients the option of visiting my studio or me visiting them at their home which increased my clientele. Clients felt safer and it was more convenient for them as well. For bigger events, I hire freelancers for that specific event so I can pay them per service,” she said.
Fernando shared that she moved her permanent makeup services to Ninewells Hospital and the skin clinic to ensure that her clients were afforded maximum protection from risks of the virus. In making these changes, she found that although her revenue is less, her profits have increased, and a perk being she has much less paperwork to deal with. “I’m also working on a new model for salon services based on my belief that the traditional salon concept will not be valid as we enter the new normal,” she said.
- Mother Nature always has the power over us if we mess with her
Fashion designer and runway model Tymeron Carvalho shared with us that one thing he certainly learned was not to mess with Mother Nature, because she will put us in our place. He also added that while of course he has learnt to be more mindful of the way he treats his surroundings, the time in quarantine curfew has brought great perspective, in realising that “we don’t have to spend colossal amounts of money to do something therapeutic to our minds; doing something at home can be more therapeutic such as gardening, cleaning, etc. And we can spend more time talking and sharing our thoughts with our loved ones, who we have missed talking to in our busy lives”. He added that in realising the connection we must establish with Mother Nature, we must also have one with ourselves. “Everything comes within you, which includes happiness, sadness, strength, and weakness. Nothing is stable, so we must enjoy it while it lasts.”
- Learn to take pride in your values
TV presenter and musician Hirushi Jayasuriya shared with us the one lesson she will be taking with her to 2021: “I think to me the most important things about 2020 are the simple values we learned to carry in this complex world. Caring for our health and building meaningful connections with people even though we couldn’t even meet them. Creating meaningful moments through even a message or a phone call. Making creations from little things we had around us. It was a silver lining in an angle not everyone is willing to see through.”
- Think outside the box and be open to new opportunities
Musician Ishan De Lanerolle of The De Lanerolle Brothers shared they have come to learn that we need to adapt to the new way of things; we have to learn to think out of the box and if we are able to do that we will discover an abundance of opportunities waiting to be had.
He said that in their case, what used to be was they would have sit-down dinners and perform for about 500 people, but now with this current situation they were able to reach over 2,000 people from over 20 countries. “Mind you, these are Rs. 1,000 tickets for online concerts,” he said, adding that now they have released those videos in parts for their 12 days of Christmas project and it has resulted in increasing that reach even more.
Ishan added that one of the main lessons they have learned this year is to think outside the box and look beyond the norm for opportunities and if everyone is to do that, then almost all industries will have a solution waiting for them.
- Sometimes getting backed into a corner is a good thing
Fitness instructor Tarja de Silva shared that while there was of course a lot of negativity borne of this year and it was a difficult time for a lot of us, one really positive thing that came out of it was that the situation really pushed them to set up their own online fitness programme which they are now operating out of a studio space.
She said that if not for the pandemic − as it really sort of pushed them into a corner − they never would’ve started up the programme online, and it has been a great benefit to them. If anything, they have learnt to really appreciate the silver lining in things.
- Things don’t always go according to plan
Musician Soundarie David Rodrigo said that the most important thing she’s learnt this year is that things don’t always go as we plan, and amidst all the challenges, there is a silver lining. “There is a blessing and to me personally, there is a God above who walks with you guiding you along the way. So, adapting to change, compassion, love, and empathy have been some of the lessons I’ve learnt this year.”
- Do not take life for granted
Personality Development and Corporate Etiquette Trainer Kumar De Silva shared with us that 2020 has reinforced his belief that one must never take life for granted. “You and I could be dead right now, and especially with Covid-19 and its effects, we know so many thousands who lost their lives all around the world,” he said, adding that he is thankful to be alive and waking up day after day.
- We must make being safe a practice because we will have to learn to live with Covid-19
Sri Lankan actress Chathurika Pieris, who was diagnosed with Covid-19 this year, said: “I think you should practise being safe. We should take the Government-issued health guidelines and what they have suggested seriously. The authorities have proposed that you steam and drink kottamalli and other home remedies like that to boost your immunity and I think you should take those suggestions to heart.” She continued: “If I protect my family and you protect your family, then we can stay safe”.
As a Covid 19 survivor, during her time as a patient and her time of quarantine at the Dr. Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital, the one thing she learned was that a part of living with Covid is not ostracising those who contract the virus. She said that it is immensely stressful for those who have it and they feel mentally defeated as they are helpless and worried for the safety of their families.
