It's safe to say that 2020 has been a year like no other. Between a global pandemic, political unrest and environmental issues, we have all had a lot to cope with this year - but as Billy Ocean sings: when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Our research team reached out to 2000 people and asked them to view 2020 through rose-tinted specs and pull out the best bits.
Our findings were nothing short of euphoric: from Captain Tom’s walk and the return of physical exercise, to a renewed sense of community and appreciation for unsung heroes, as shown in our campaign giving out free contact lenses to frontline workers to make their PPE more comfortable. So, without further ado - here is a video featuring the Top 20 most positive moments of 2020. Scroll down for the full list.
The Top 50 Things Brits have enjoyed about 2020
Captain Tom Moore's charity walk
Less pollution
A new appreciation for key workers
Marcus Rashford's work feeding children
Saving money
Enjoying our homes and gardens more
A new appreciation for supermarket or hospitality staff
Seeing the country come together to support the NHS with rainbows in their windows and clapping
Enjoying a slower pace of life
An increase in people washing their hands
More time spent with family
A surprisingly long, hot summer
Reading more
An improved sense of community
People now being forced to give you space - which you would want anyway
Spending more time outdoors than normal
People being nicer to each other and smiling more
Getting home improvements/DIY done
Experiencing the countryside which is right on your doorstep
No commute meaning longer lie-ins
Spending more time with pets
The Himalayas being visible for the first time in 30 years in North India due to reduced air pollution
Saving money on new clothes
More opportunity to exercise
Black Lives Matter
Not having to sit next to people on public transport
Having more time to spend on existing hobbies
Not having to go to big social events and parties with people you hardly know
Getting more into cooking
Saving money that otherwise would have gone in the pub
Discovering great new TV series on Netflix
Getting to know our own neighbourhoods better on walks
Having more family meals
Spending more time with children in general
Not having to plan expensive holidays abroad
The new David Attenborough documentary
Picking up new hobbies
Getting evenings back
Catching up with people virtually
Liverpool ending their 30-year wait to win the Premier League
Joe Wicks' PE lessons
Zoom quizzes
The arrival of Pakistan, West Indies and Australian cricket teams for international cricket
The TV show 'Normal People'
Having time to get inventive with ways to spend evenings
Not having to go to client meetings
Musicians live streaming on Instagram
The new Borat movie
Leeds being promoted to the Premier League after 16 years away