8 / 55

James Querée

Accountant / Jersey Bulls football player (Captain)

Personally, 2020 was an exciting year for a fresh start. In Jersey, like many other places, we live in a society that respects science, where being entrusted with such knowledge confers power. Entering unprecedented territory (such as a global pandemic), this power presents both positive solutions and highlights terrible problems. Issues that have impacted our social, ethical, and psychological well being, however, include:

We interact virtually more than ever.
We reassess our values on a more frequent basis.
Funnily enough, at a time where there is so much of physical

disconnect, personally I feel united more than ever.

In 2020, we are finally accepting that it is ok not to be ok.

February 2020, strolling around Rome, the talk of a pandemic was just hearsay and another mechanism where I, like many, was sceptical. Before we reached our next trip to New York City, the term ‘social distancing’ entered into our day-to-day vocabulary. The implementation of social distancing was seen as much as a political measure as a public health one. “You will never see Times Square and Central Park like this”, due to the tranquil but eerie nature of the iconic landmarks of the Big Apple. With our trip cut short we could see anxiety, apprehension and insecurity had set in, COVID-19 was here to stay.

I have lost friends in 2020. I became closer to others. I have had to work from home. It allowed me to re-evaluate and change jobs.

Jersey Bulls FC in their inaugural season had broken a British record of 31 consecutive wins in competitive football, only for our season to be ‘Null and Void’. We re-charged mentally, focused on what is truly important and have come back stronger.

I couldn’t hug my Mum or Nan for 3 months. We had fun doing outdoor exercise, turning healthy decisions into habits. We have missed exploring the world. We have spent more time appreciating and exploring our beautiful island than ever before.

Globally there has been social injustice, climate change and racial inequality. It has resulted in positive movements, accountability towards our environment and a continued stand for equality.

The above examples in 2020 were a way of aligning and re-affirming my perspective. In every challenging experience, there is an opportunity to learn and grow. 2020, the year I have had a chance to reset. We still don’t know what is around the corner. But I know to re-prioritise what is important and how to direct my energy moving forward. 2020 will always be remembered for changing our perception of normality.

Finally, 2020 presents a new era that is going to be full of opportunities. How has 2020 changed your perspective?