Goodbye 2020: End-of-year-reflection
An eventful year, 2020, has come to an end. Over the last few days, I’ve had time to relax a little (which is why I decided not to publish a new post last week), re-connect with my family, and reflect on the year just gone (as well as on the 56 posts I published over the last twelve months).
January 2020
5 (+1) Japanese novels to read in 2020
2020 was going to be the year that the Olympic Games would’ve taken place in Japan, a country that has fascinated me since a very young age, but I’m yet to visit. In the last couple of years, I have read quite a few books from the land of the rising sun, which is why I kicked off the year with ‘5 (+1) Japanese novels to read in 2020’. The title of the post was of course misleading, for the post mentioned more than a dozen books.
20 Music Festivals in Norway in 2020
It is no secret that Norway is one of my favourite countries, and that jazz is one of my favourite music genres. In 2019, I decided to combine the two and I travelled to Trondheim for the JazzFest. In 2020, I hoped to back to Norway for another music festival. To help me decide, I made a list of ’20 Music Festivals in Norway in 2020’ (most of which were cancelled).
10 + 5 Music & Film Festivals in California in 2020
20 Festivals in London in 2020
I also made a list of ’10 music and 5 film festivals’ that were due to take place in California. Needless to say, most of these festivals were cancelled, and so were most of those included in my list ’20 festivals in London in 2020’.
February 2020
A musical journey to France
Top 7 tips for an unforgettable weekend in Nantes
La Folle Journée is a classical music festival held annually in Nantes. This year, it was dedicated to Beethoven and celebrated the 250th anniversary of his birth. It took place over five days between the 29th of January and the 2nd of February 2020, and the program featured around 250 classical music concerts. I was fortunate enough to get tickets for two concerts, which was the perfect excuse for ‘a musical journey to France’ and an unforgettable weekend in the sixth-largest city of the country.
A classical music journey to Great Britain
Barnes Musical Festival is another classical music festival that takes place every year in Barnes, in Southwest London. Most of the concerts take place at St Mary’s Church, which is exactly where I found myself just a week before the UK went into lockdown. Each year there is a different theme, and in 2020, the theme was “Musical Journeys – a Voyage of Discoveries”. Unfortunately, this year, the festival was cut short on the 16th of March, and so was ‘my classical musical journey to Great Britain’.
A cinematic journey to South Korea
A highlight of the year just gone was in February, when the South Korean film ‘Parasite’, directed by Bong Joon-ho, won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film (as well as the Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay). This was a historical moment: ‘Parasite’ is the first South Korean film to have been nominated in these categories, as well as the first non-English language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. These remarkable achievements have unsurprisingly rekindled my interest in South Korean cinema and inspired me to embark on ‘a cinematic journey to South Korea’.
My 10 (+1) favorite Asian restaurants in London
2020 was a very challenging year for pretty much everyone, but more so for those working in the hospitality industry. In London, a great number of restaurants that closed during the first lockdown, remained closed afterwards. As the capital is currently in Tier 4 (which means that restaurants had to close once again), I can only hope that ‘my 10 (+1) favourite Asian restaurants in London’ safely re-open soon.
March 2020
Best London bookstores, tsundoku & bibliotherapy
Needless to say that I wish the same for my favourite London bookstores, such as the iconic Stanfords and Daunt Books. I certainly hope they are open on the World Book Day, due on the 4th of March 2021. This year, the World Book Day was on the 5th of March, which is when I published my post about the ‘best London bookstores, tsundoku & bibliotherapy’.
Megève: Ski, après-ski & jazz
That week, oblivious to how international travelling would soon be affected, I went on a skiing holiday to Megève. This beautiful French resort is also home to an international jazz festival (which was due to take place from the 26th to the 28th of March, but was cancelled).
COVID-19: a new case of mass hysteria
Is the coronavirus good for our mental health?
Back then, little did we know about COVID-19 and the consequences of the pandemic. I personally grossly misjudged and underestimated the gravity of the situation. My posts ‘COVID-19: a new case of mass hysteria’ and ‘Is the coronavirus good for our mental health?’, published a few days before Europe went into lockdown, were prime examples of my rather naive and ignorant approach to the emerging pandemic.
Self-isolation, social distancing and wellbeing
By the end of March 2020, the number of cases and coronavirus-related deaths had sharply increased around the world, and the words ‘self-isolation’ and ‘social distancing’ had entered our daily vocabulary. Although these measures were (and still are) essential for our physical health, they have had a negative impact on many people’s mental wellbeing. As a Psychiatrist, I am a firm believer that small changes/improvements in 10 key areas (or pillars) of one’s daily life could maximise one’s wellbeing and contribute to a happier as well as a healthier life. This was the very premise of my post ‘Self-isolation, social distancing and wellbeing’, published towards the end of March 2020.
15 Books about Happiness For All, Forever
The 7 Secrets of Happiness: An Optimist’s Journey
One of my tips was to take advantage of the lockdown and read books. In fact, I personally found solace in dozens of books, books I’d read before as well as books patiently waiting on my bookshelves. I hope that the books discussed in my posts ’15 Books about Happiness For All, Forever’ and ‘The 7 Secrets of Happiness: An Optimist’s Journey’ provided solace to many more.
In 2020, the theme of the International Day of Happiness was ‘Happiness For All, Forever’. According to the United Nations World Happiness Report, published on the 20th of March 2020 (a.k.a. the International Day of Happiness), Finland was the happiest place for the third consecutive year, whereas Helsinki was the happiest city in the world.
April 2020
Sophrology: Europe’s alternative to mindfulness
Amongst the books I read during the lockdown were ‘The Life-Changing Power of Sophrology: A practical guide to reducing stress and living up to your full potential’ by the Swiss sophrologist Dominique Antiglio, and ‘The Sophrology Method: Simple mind-body techniques for a calmer, happier, healthier you’ by Florence Parot, a sophrologist from France. These books introduced me to sophrology, a therapeutic approach that combines traditional Eastern practices (such as yoga and meditation) with modern-day stress-management techniques often used by clinical psychologists in the treatment of anxiety disorders (such as body scans, visualisations, breathing techniques and other relaxation exercises). Popular in France and other European countries, sophrology is simply Europe’s alternative to mindfulness.
Breathing, Music and Mental Wellbeing
Music has been one of my passions since childhood, but nowadays I often listen to it rather mindlessly, without paying particular attention to music and/or to lyrics. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and whilst learning about sophrology, I listened not only to some of my favourite records, but also to the sound of my breath. I became more and more interested in breathing, this basic function of the human body, that we often take for granted. Then, in the post ‘Breathing, Music and Mental Wellbeing’, I brought breathing and music together. First, I discussed why and how deep breathing can improve mental wellbeing. I then discussed about the benefits of music and music therapy, and finally shared my playlist with songs about breathing.
Celebrating the International Jazz Day
According to UNESCO, jazz is a symbol of unity and peace that breaks down barriers and creates opportunities for mutual understanding and tolerance; it also reduces tensions between individuals, groups, and communities, and stimulates intercultural dialogue and empowers young people from marginalized societies. This year, Cape Town had been designated the Global Host City for the International Jazz Day 2020 (on 30 April). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s celebration was virtual.
Stockholm Syndrome & 7 tips for Stockholm
Self-isolation and social distancing provided me with the perfect excuse to also binge-watch on TV series from all over the world. One of those I watched was ‘La Casa De Papel’ (or ‘Money Heist’ in English), a Spanish TV series available on Netflix. In Parts 1 and 2, a group of robbers breaks into the Royal Mint of Spain, in Madrid, taking 67 hostages. During the robbery, one of these hostages falls in love with one of the robbers and subsequently becomes an accomplice to the group. A classical example of the so-called Stockholm Syndrome, and a perfect opportunity to ‘re-visit’ the Swedish capital.
A hyggelig weekend in Copenhagen
From there, I continued south to Malmö and crossed ’The Bridge’ (‘Bron/Broen’) for a hyggelig weekend in Copenhagen, where ‘The Killing’ (‘Forbrydelsen’) had taken place. The Danish capital is also home to ‘Borgen’, the house of Denmark’s three powers: Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Supreme Court.
May 2020
Soon after the beginning of the pandemic, it became clear that COVID-19 would negatively impact on the Arts and Culture. Many performance art (i.e. theatre, opera, ballet) productions, events and festivals were postponed or cancelled due to self-isolation and social distancing. Others, however, moved online, whereas some organisations, such as the National Theatre and the Royal Opera House, started streaming past performances on YouTube, providing solace in such a challenging and unprecedented time.
A wellbeing journey with Víkingur Ólafsson
Since April, the Icelandic musician Víkingur Ólafsson featured on Front Row, a radio program on BBC Radio 4 about arts, literature, film, media and music. Víkingur was Front Row’s ‘Artist-in-Residence’ for the duration of the lockdown, delivering weekly live performances on the grand piano of the currently empty Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavík. Every week he also offered a short masterclass on the piece he played.
Reflecting on my travels around Europe
The Eurovision Song Contest 2020 was one of those music events that were cancelled. It would have taken place in May in Rotterdam, following the Netherlands’ victory last year with the song ‘Arcade’ performed by Duncan Laurence. To mark the occasion, I decided to embark on a mental journey and reflect on my travels around Europe.
Traveling to Greece through film & music
On the other hand, the London Greek Film Festival was not cancelled but moved online. Since I was not able to go back to Greece for Easter, I took the opportunity to travel back to my beloved home country Greece through film (as well as music).
Bergen International Festival, Music & Silence
As far as the Bergen International Festival was concerned, most of the events were cancelled, but there were still more than 50 events taking place in empty venues; these events were streamed online for free. They included music, theatre, dance, opera and visual art performances. To celebrate the release of his new album, but also to fundraise for the World Health Organization’s (WHO) COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, Baby2Baby and Crew Nation, Norwegian DJ Kygo created the Golden Hour Festival, a musical event streamed online at the end of the month.
Reflecting on my childhood journey to Thailand
At around the same time, my friend Jigna organised an online murder mystery dinner, which travelled me back to Thailand. When her invitation arrived, I was excited not only because I love whodunnit mystery dinners, but also because it was a great opportunity for me to prepare a three-course Thai menu. I decided to prepare a tom yum soup as a starter, followed by a green chicken curry. To finish off my banquet, I made a banana sago, a dessert based on mango sago, which is not Thai, but from Hong Kong. To accompany my dinner, I made myself a My Thai cocktail. This was basically my take on the classic Mai Tai cocktail, which (like mango sago) is not Thai. However, I thought it would go down well with my Thai menu (and it surely did).
June 2020
Healthy cakes & bakes inspired by my travels
In fact, unable to travel during the lockdown, I found solace in cooking and baking. During the first months of the lockdown, I baked dozens of healthy cakes, cupcakes and muffins, cookies and biscuits, and other bakes. I then decided to collect some of these recipes into an e-book. This is how ‘Baking Therapy: Healthy Cakes & Bakes: Recipes Inspired By My Travels’ was born. The e-book is still available for FREE for every new subscription.
The Traveling Psychiatrist turns 2
In June 2020, the Traveling Psychiatrist turned 2. Although I did not bake a birthday cake for my blog, I took the opportunity to reflect on my travel blogging journey that far.
12 Norwegian TV series to watch
A literary trip to Norway with Alex
Meanwhile, I continued binge-watching Scandinavian dramas. It seems I was far from the only one with an appetite for Nordic Noir. My post ‘12 Norwegian TV series to watch’ has been one of the most popular ones this year (see the ranking below), and far more popular than my literary trip to Norway.
July 2020
My favorite books and films about traveling
Island-hopping in the Cyclades
When the summer came and the lockdown restrictions started to ease around the world, people started travelling again. Not me (or at least not then). Instead, I found solace in ‘my favourite books and films about travelling’. Homesick, I went through my atlases and dreamed of ‘island-hopping in the Cyclades’.
A classical music journey to Austria
In the meantime, I learned that the Lockenhaus Chamber Music Festival (Kammermusikfest Lockenhaus) and other classical music festivals in Austria were going to take place. And this is how my (virtual) classical music journey to Austria began…
From the Travelin’ Soldier to gaslighting
Many people know that I am a fan of classical music, jazz and… Eurovision. Few, however, know that I am also a big fan of country music. Which is why my post ‘From the Travelin’ Soldier to gaslighting’ may have come as a surprise… It was inspired by ‘Gaslighter’, the Chicks’ first album in 14 years. Throughout July, I would obsessively listen to the American band’s new (and older) songs, whilst educating myself on the psychological concept of gaslighting.
Sweet v Savory Tomato & Feta Cheesecake
I then found out that July 30 is the National Cheesecake Day in the US, and decided to celebrate with two cheesecake recipes: one savoury, the other sweet.
August 2020
10 Icelandic films and TV series to watch
Meanwhile, the cinemas re-opened, and I simply couldn’t resist going. ‘The County’ (‘Héraðið’) was one of the first films I watched at the cinema, once cinemas were allowed to re-open in the UK. Directed by Grímur Hákonarson, it travels us to rural Iceland, where a woman fights against a mafia-like organization and against the injustice that this organization perpetuates. Although I am yet to visit the Land of Fire in person, this did not stop me from embarking on a virtual journey there, re-visiting 10 Icelandic films and TV series I’d recently watched.
Towards the end of the summer, in August, I finally travelled again. My first post-lockdown trip was back home, to Greece, a country with six thousand islands of which 227 are inhabited (according to visitgreece.gr). Crete, Santorini and Mykonos were the most visited islands in 2019. But, there’s so much more to the Greek islands than the tourist-magnets.
There’s more to Greek cheeses than feta
The same is true for the Greek cheeses. Feta may be the most famous, but there are so many Greek cheeses worth learning about and, of course, savouring. It appears that I am not the only one with a big appetite for cheese; my post ‘There’s more to Greek cheeses than feta’ was among the most popular of 2020.
Fanouropita: a Rhodes-inspired recipe
Saint Fanourios, the patron saint of Rhodes, is commemorated on 27 August. Fanourios means the one who reveals (fanerono means reveal in Greek), and according to the tradition, Saint Fanourios helps people find their lost belongings or even missing persons. In Rhodes and other places in Greece and Cyprus, believers bake a cake called fanouropita on 26 August; then, the following day, they take it to the church where it is blessed and then offered to more believers.
6 delicious Greek summer recipes
My fanouropita recipe was among the six recipes featured in my post ‘6 delicious Greek summer recipes’, which turned out to be my most popular post ever.
A musical journey to the Greek islands (Part 1)
A musical journey to the Greek islands (Part 2)
In late August, after spending a few days in my hometown, Thessaloniki, I visited Skyros, my late grandfather’s home island. Although Skyros is a short flight from Thessaloniki (25-30 minutes), we took the long way round: we drove to the east coast of Evia (6 hours), then took the ferry to Skyros (an hour and a half). Once upon a time, I would have made several mixtapes for the road. Instead, this time I simply compiled a 3-hour playlist, a musical journey to the Greek islands.
September 2020
Traveling around Skyros with a local
During my 10-day stay in Skyros, I reconnected with my family, swam in the crystalline waters of the Aegean, relaxed by the sea reading novels and poetry, savoured Skyrian delicacies (see below), and sipped cocktails. This was the fourth time I visited Skyros as an adult, and it certainly won’t be the last.
Traveling around Thessaloniki with a local
Following my holiday in Skyros, I returned to Thessaloniki, where I stayed for another month. Although the number of COVID-19 cases in Greece remained low throughout September, I did not do any more travelling. I did visit, however, some of my favourite hangouts in my hometown. Unfortunately, the situation got much worse soon after I returned to London in October.
A weekend in Athens: top 7 tips
Even though I was born and raised in Thessaloniki, I’ve always enjoyed spending time in Athens. I was not fortunate enough to visit the Greek capital this year; yet, this did not stop me from taking a virtual trip and sharing my top 7 tips.
October 2020
Kos: the island of Medicine
I also went on a virtual trip to Kos, the island where Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, was born (around 460 BC) and also began his medical career.
15 culture-bound syndromes
I then returned back to London (physically, not virtually) and to work. Being a Psychiatrist (as well as a travel blogger and globetrotter), I simply couldn’t ignore the World Mental Health Day (10 October). So, I put both these hats on, and talked about 15 culture-bound syndromes.
Trahanas: heart-warming Greek winter recipes
Fava: a healthy Greek island recipe
Spinach and feta cheese pie
In the meantime, home-bound and homesick, I decided to start tweaking traditional Greek recipes, foods that I enjoyed as a child and I still enjoy every time I visit my home country. From mid-October up until the end of the year, I would tweak one recipe a week, which I then shared on my blog.
November 2020
At the beginning of November 2020, England went to a second national lockdown, that lasted for a whole month. Despite (or perhaps because of) the cold, dark and rainy days, I found solace in foods traditionally consumed in the summer:
Baked zucchini (courgette) fritters
Baked tomato fritters from Santorini
Traditional Greek stuffed vegetables
Greek semolina halva with orange and honey
Tomato pie with phyllo pastry
December 2020
Melomakarona: Greek Christmas honey cookies
When December came, I decided to bake something Christmassy: melomakarona, aromatic cookies made of flour and olive oil, flavoured with cinnamon, cloves and orange, and dipped in honey syrup.
Moussaka: a classic Greek dish
Then, to celebrate my birthday on 20 December, I baked a classic Greek (albeit not Christmassy) dish: moussaka.
And this brings me to the last day of the year, remembering and reflecting on the last 12 months.
The Traveling Psychiatrist’s 12 most popular posts of 2020
Last but not least, these are the Traveling Psychiatrist’s 12 most popular posts of the year:
- 6 delicious Greek summer recipes (published in August 2020)
- 12 Norwegian TV series to watch (published in June 2020)
3. Sifnos: the island of Greek gastronomy (published in 2019)
4. Hygge, Lagom & Lykke: 10 books about Scandi happiness (published in 2018)
5. Let Me Tell You a Story: Tales along the road to happiness (published in 2018)
6. Serifos: the Greek island where time stands still (published in 2019)
7. There’s more to Greek cheeses than feta (published in August 2020)
8. 5 (+1) Japanese novels to read in 2020 (published in January 2020)
9. The Traveling Psychiatrist: Wanderlust & Wellbeing (published in 2019)
10. The 7 Secrets of Happiness: An Optimist’s Journey (published in March 2020)
11. 10 Icelandic films and TV series to watch (published in August 2020)
12. Ikigai & Komorebi: Finding purpose & beautiful moments (published in 2018)
Interestingly, half of these posts (6) were published this year, almost half (5) are about happiness and wellbeing, one third (4) about Greek islands and Greek cuisine, another third (4) about Scandinavia, and also a third (4) about books and reading. I think this is an accurate reflection of what the Traveling Psychiatrist is all about.
Happy New Year everyone!
Alex
(the Traveling Psychiatrist)