Britt Skrabanek

Why 2020 is Absolutely Worth Salvaging

2020 is a nightmare. 2020 is a bad year. 2020 is a mess. 2020 is a disaster. 2020 is a crazy year. 2020 is a dumpster fire. 2020 is canceled. These were the search results that came up a few months ago when I searched for “2020 is…”

My most recent “2020 is…” search gets us all into the Halloween spirit—a T-Shirt that shows a ghost in various poses framed by the phrase “2020 is BOO sheet.” (I fully acknowledge that this is both clever and funny.)

The 2020 tarring and feathering continues with the countless memes being applauded and shared on social media, all spreading the same dark humor. I’m not immune to the allure of these memes. I’ve shared some, I’ve liked some, I’ve chuckled over most of them.

Everyone is labeling 2020 to try and understand the pain and confusion they have felt. Labels make something identifiable, organized…able to be compartmentalized. Humor is one of our favorite defense mechanisms, so it works especially well as we smile and slap a label on 2020.

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Change Your Life Direction in 3 Difficult Steps

Changes have happened all around us this year—we’re observing them and living them. The harsh closed signs, endless commercial spaces for lease, and out-of-work artists, musicians, servers, retailers, teachers, and flight attendants with nowhere to go. Many of us had to change our life direction this year, whether we liked it or not. We feel lost and maybe we feel found as well.

If you are changing directions with your job, your business, and/or your passion, today I’m sharing three difficult steps that have worked for me this year. I say “difficult” because none of them are easy steps to take.

It’s probably more like 300 steps rather than 3 steps by the time you work through everything. Anyway, I hope this helps if you’re in limbo right now.

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Is it Time to Take a Break from Alcohol?

Alcohol consumption is a pretty heavy topic and it’s kind of taboo, which is crazy to think about since alcohol has been ingrained in human society for thousands (yes, thousands) of years.

Back in 2016, I decided to openly talk about alcohol in a very public space…right here on my blog. I was terrified to publish a blog about doing a 30-day no alcohol challenge. Would people think I was rolling out of bed in the morning and boozing it up?

I decided to hell with what people think. It’s clear that I am not consuming alcohol on that scale or I wouldn’t be doing all of the things I do—from running my business Superneat Marketing to running my creative businesses, like my blog, my fiction, and now my podcast—Love Your Enthusiasm.

I was surprised to see how supportive everyone was that read that 30-day alcohol break blog…and also how many questions and comments I received from people. So many people were already thinking about taking a break from alcohol and they were relieved that I talked so openly about it.

In December of last year, I published a blog about going 6 months without alcohol and it has been the most popular blog I’ve ever written. Thousands of people have read this blog, and it showing no signs of slowing down.

Was it destined for popularity?
Or did the absolute insanity of 2020 cause an increase in interest as alcohol consumption increased?

I can’t say. But, I do know that it’s important to talk about alcohol and share real-life experiences. I always think the best place to start with changing your life is self-inquiry. Sometimes we just need to stop and ask ourselves a tough question, like: Is it time to take a break from something?

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Love Your Enthusiasm with Caitlin Trainor

“Think of this as a time for opportunity and invention.” What a concept when our world seems entirely upside down, when we can’t seem to find our footing no matter what we do. It’s the reason why I continue to pour my heart and energy into my podcast, Love Your Enthusiasm. And the reason why I share conversations from women who are still pushing forward and doing incredible things this year.

Caitlin Trainor is my guest on Love Your Enthusiasm this week. She is a dancer, creative entrepreneur, choreographer, and the founder of Dancio, a platform that offers on-demand ballet and contemporary classes.

There has been such a need for a platform like Dancio. When I discovered Dancio last year, I was searching for a way to supplement my once-a-week ballet class with a home class. (There wasn’t shit out there on YouTube, lemme tell ya.) Little did I know that March of 2020 would be my last ballet class for…what’s looking like…the rest of the year.

I’m so thankful to have a platform like Dancio right now—as are dancers in 50+ countries around the world who are also terrifying their pets by kicking and turning in kitchens, hallways, and living rooms.

Caitlin is doing wonderful things for the dance community. She is vibrant, dedicated, and perhaps more of a potty-mouth than I am…who knew that person existed? If this is the time for opportunity and invention, looking to Caitlin for no-bullshit inspiration is a good place to start.

In this episode, Caitlin talks about her passion for changing the world through dance and movement. She covers everything from how she protects her creative enthusiasm to a time she came close to quitting, along with the importance of looking at the view but also looking at the rocks beneath you.

I hope you enjoy this awesome conversation with Caitlin.

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Life Lessons From an 87-Year-Old Lyft Driver

I stepped into the Lyft car and paused mid-air, hovering above the grey upholstered backseat. I had one foot in, one foot out. My driver was a man, well past his golden years. An internal debate struck up, making a legitimate point: Is it safe to ride with this old dude? Or, should I cancel and find a new driver?

I was already late to ballet class—if I got another driver, there was no way I would make it on time. The heavy February drizzle slid off my hood, dampening the interior of the car. It smelled like wet carpet and Old Spice. For some reason, that comforting combo ended the internal debate and I decided to ride with the old dude.

A few awkward wet boot squeaks later, followed by the slam of the door, my ass was parked in the car. “Hu…hi,” I managed to say finally. “I’m Britt.”

He smiled at me in the rearview mirror, with twinkling mischievous blue eyes that very much reminded me of my dad. “Hi, Britt. I’m 87 years old.”

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