Hello Friends,

Welcome to 2021!

I know you know the movie Frozen and I REALLY KNOW that you’ve heard the theme song, “Let it Go” ad nauseum. But the other day, I was forced to listen to it while working out and the words actually hit me deeply. Take a look, and (if you’re brave), sing along in your head. I did some “hinting” to you by emphasizing a few themes I’d like you to focus on as you leave 2020 and move into 2021.

Let It Go, abbreviated (K & R Lopez)

The snow glows white on the mountain tonight
Not a footprint to be seen
A kingdom of isolation
And it looks like I’m the queen

The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside
Couldn’t keep it in, heaven knows I’ve tried

Don’t let them in, don’t let them see
Be the good girl you always have to be
Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know
Well, now they know

Let it go, let it go
Can’t hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door
I don’t care what they’re going to say
Let the storm rage on
The cold never bothered me anyway

It’s funny how some distance makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me can’t get to me at all
It’s time to see what I can do
To test the limits and break through
No right, no wrong, no rules for me
I’m free

Friends, here’s how listening to this shifted my mindset: We can stay in isolation and overwhelm. We can pretend to hold it together but secretly feel lonely and disillusioned. Or we can move into 2021 and embrace how messy and unpredictable all of this is. We can stop caring about how we look and start focusing on what we need and asking for help. 2020 has been tumultuous. Some of us have kept it in all inside, some have tried to plow forward, some of been overwhelmed. We have lost, we have grieved, we have struggled.

We have to begin to let out all the emotions, feelings, doubt and overwhelm of 2020 and LET.IT.GO. We are not meant to stay in prolonged periods of stress and vulnerability without acknowledgement of pain and support from others. I know that moving into 2021 feels a bit weary, but I know that so many of you want to feel hopeful as well. We have to move into 2021 believing in bigger things, the power of healing, community cohesiveness, and seeing the light at the end of this very long tunnel. Focus on the fact that, despite hardships you have endured, you have triumphed, overcome and built resilience for yourself, your family, your children and your community.

Here’s to whatever may come in 2021. Know that no matter what, you are not alone.

With compassion,

Dr. Amy