Written By Amy Beardsley
This essay is from a 2020 Student Loan Planner® Scholarship winner.
As most would probably agree, this is not the year expected for 2020, or the year of the optometrist. 2020 has been challenging. It has many of us feeling anxious and unsure. But, it also has been a time where kindness and grace has presented itself.
When this year started, I was optimistic and excited for what the year may entail. That optimism was short lived as the pandemic reached havoc on our country.
I like so many others, was out of work, earning less income and questioning what the future might hold.
It was the middle of March when I received the call that I was out of work until further notice. Due to limited availability of personal protective equipment and CDC recommendations, optometrists were unable to provide routine eye exams and were only allowed to see emergency medical care causing staff, and yes even doctors, with limited hours and work.
Fortunately I was homebound with reduced pay and was not put on furlough. Reduction of income provided its own challenges of managing student loan repayment, daily living costs, and limited social interactions.
Student Loans, oh boy are they a mood killer, and my six figure one does not disappoint. Unfortunately due to my income, I did not qualify for any stimulus checks. However, when student loan interest rates were changed to zero percent, I felt like I hit the jackpot. I knew that I needed to rearrange my budget and cut frivolous expenses in order to take advantage of this great opportunity of decreasing my Mt. Everest size debt.
Due to some cost-cutting, I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to continue making my monthly payments and strive towards the everlasting goal of financial freedom. Somehow, I have managed to survive without my daily coffee splurge, occasional nail appointments, and numerous monthly restaurant meals.
So far, the saved interest that is now getting put towards my loan principal has saved me an entire year of dreaded payments. Win! My original plan was to refinance, but with the current changes to my federal loans, I decided to wait. I’m glad I did.
With a new sense of budget, provides a new sense of purpose. I now have clarity of what steps I need to take in order to pay off added finances.
Without the pandemic, I would not have been forced to tackle this task, and would have continued on my path of distraction. Sometimes change is exactly what you need, whether welcomed or not. Not all change is “bad”.
My continuing education hours were offered entirely online. Before, we would have to attend conferences and conventions for in person learning. It has been welcoming to achieve hours at my own pace on my time. With technology able to provide videoconference and tele-presentations, I feel I am still able to learn the material in a constructive way and in my yoga pants.
Throughout this year, the US has been introduced to a health care crisis, a social movement, a shortage of toilet paper, and some questionable weather patterns. But, 2020 has also provided us a time in history where we’ve been able to lift each other up, pull together, and support each other whether through virtual hugs, telling your coworkers about the mute button, or overall just being resilient and resourceful.
I could dwell on negatives this year, such as, mask-wearing 8 hours a day, glasses continuously fogging, and limited income or I could focus on the positives.
Thankfully I am now back to work full time with a new perspective. Gandhi said it best, “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. Just like America, I needed to be challenged and reformed in order to grow and become a better version of myself, even if 6 feet away. We can do virtually anything, no matter the distance.
As an optometrist, 20/20 to us, defines clarity and I can think of no better word to describe the goals 2020 has brought to us so far.
