There’s been a lot said about what’s gone wrong in 2020. It was a really difficult year for so many people - jobs became remote or might have been lost; relationships were put to the test and might not have come through the other side; life felt a lot less adventurous and our worlds got a little smaller - to our neighbourhood walks or perhaps our basement apartments. But I’d like to think that in this madness, perhaps there was some good that you were able to find. A glimmer of something special, maybe a feeling of hopefulness for what’s to come.

For me, it was a year of little joys - reconnecting back to that feeling of gratefulness for the things in your life that you once might’ve passed over, thinking they were insignificant when you had bigger things to look forward to - music festivals, travel plans, weddings, parties. With that said, please enjoy my roundup of the best things about 2020. I think we could all use a little positivity and warmth these days, so feel free to comment below with your own!

1) I had more time to cook and eat healthier, which meant ending up picking up a few new favourite recipes along the way. As an avid cook but a less than confident baker, I got outside my comfort zone with an easy Dutch bread, cast iron crumble, and homemade blueberry pie. In the cooking world, I went heavy into Thai and Vietnamese recipes, with the Bon Appetit Pounded Lemongrass Chicken being the official M&B dinner-winner of 2020 and Chicken Piccata being a close second.

2) I walked a mile in my own shoes. Truly - walking quickly became a favourite way to decompress and create a boundary between my working day. I wandered aimlessly, finding new streets, new favourite houses, and amazing lookouts around Toronto that I had never seen before. It’s amazing to be able to look at your city through new eyes and walking allowed me to do that.

3) Friendships became more intentional. Although I miss seeing certain faces who I’ve now gone a year without, and always love bumping into people by surprise, friendship become more concentrated to your core people. I hope that the people in your life make you feel loved and warm, even when you aren’t together. I feel so lucky to be surrounded by (or virtually connected to) people who inspire me, push me, understand me, love me, and cheer me on to succeed. That’s the kind of connection I wish upon everyone.

4) We got to know our neighbours better. One summer evening I was reading outside and ended up having dinner through the fence with the family that lives next door. They shared their Jamaican jerk chicken (home-smoked), zucchini, and stuffed peppers - I provided pie.

5) Self care was reprioritized. With gyms shut down and less distinction between home and work life, new boundaries of self care had to be established. Some of my favourite investments or additions to the routine? A gua sha stone to give myself facial massages; a monthly subscription to influencer Tash Oakley’s favourite Pilates class; and a download of the app Dipsea as I came to realize the importance of sexual health as part of the full health spectrum.

6) Canada showed off. So much of our sunny months are spent elsewhere - vacations to European or the States, we often forget that summer in Canada is such a special, short-lived joy. I spent time on islands, in forests, on lakes, hanging out in parks, and wandering downtown Toronto. We have it all. We’re lucky people to live in such a beautiful country.

7) The content production slowdown in Hollywood meant I could finally catch up on all sorts of classic shows and movies that had continued to be pushed down on my list in order to watch the latest and greatest. A few new watches? Kill Bill, You’ve Got Mail, James Bond, and Schitt’s Creek.

8) Although COVID shuttered many businesses’ doors, Toronto’s restaurant and food scene continued to find ways to share amazing meals with us, in the comfort of our own homes. A few of my favourite new finds were Abu Hummus, Meatball Warrior, Danny Barna’s Larb Shop, and Brodflour. Not to mention an incredible Anthony Rose food tour in the Annex.

Turns out tiny-joys add up to be not-so-tiny. Tell me about yours!