Not even a year full of coronavirus lockdowns and quarantining held Drew Barrymore back from creating incredible memories, like launching her own daytime talk show.
And, while the 45-year-old star had to adapt The Drew Barrymore Show significantly to the times as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, she proved up for the challenge as indicated by her extremely full schedule and star-studded group of guests.
As she prepared for the first day of 2021, the Golden Globe winner shared footage of herself flipping through her past desk pad calendar, before unwrapping a new one.
Fresh start: Not even a year full of coronavirus lockdowns and quarantining held Drew Barrymore back from creating incredible memories, like launching her own daytime talk show
‘It’s time to say goodbye to the old calendar, every page is full! Put it to bed. 2020 we love you. And we start again,’ she said with optimism and sincerity in her voice.
Unlike most people, who spent an unprecedented amount of time at home or on the couch, her days appeared full of her interviews, launch dates and trips before March.
Among the plans on her calendar, covered in checkmarks and highlighted dates, in late January, she had a family vacation planned to Disneyland and plans to announce her show.
Always busy: As she prepared for the first day of 2021, the Golden Globe winner shared footage of herself flipping through her past desk pad calendar, before unwrapping a new one
Additionally, her year included playdates, celebrating her 45th birthday, meetings and co-parenting her two daughters Olive, eight, and Frankie, six, with ex-husband, Will Kopelman.
At the top of the first page of her agenda, she had ‘2020, we love you’ written on the top in hot pink with a large heart drawn by it.
After opening her new calendar, she appeared excited about the ‘fresh start’ and 365 new days to plan for and fill.
‘It’s time to say goodbye to the old calendar, every page is full! Put it to bed. 2020 we love you. And we start again,’ she said with optimism and sincerity in her voice
Last month, Barrymore reflected on her top priorities on the cover of Health‘s first-ever Change Issue, including the struggle to juggle wellness, parenting and friendships.
‘I’ve never had balance,’ confessed the actress, who made her big-screen debut at the age of five in Ken Russell’s Altered States. ‘I think balance is an elusive b**ch who has evaded me my entire life.’
She continued: ‘I’m just ready to wrestle her to the ground and have an old-fashioned, hair-pulling girl fight with her. I’m the most wrecking-ball pendulum of extremes, with no pretty little middle.’
Mom life: Unlike most people, who spent an unprecedented amount of time at home or on the couch, her days appeared full of her interviews, launch dates and trips before March
At the moment, however, Barrymore joked she had balance ‘pinned down’ and said the past year has been ‘in a lot of ways, a really healthy year for’ her.
‘Ironically, considering everything going on. I exercise, and I had already gained the weight everyone else talked about gaining—I had been doing that every year prior,’ she said of working toward a well-balanced life.
As for fitness and nutrition, the 50 First Dates star said she is ‘not a straight arrow’ and will ‘never’ be the person who eats the ‘perfect food’ and works out ‘every day.’
January: Her 2020 included playdates, celebrating her 45th birthday, meetings and co-parenting her two daughters Olive, eight, and Frankie, six, with ex-husband, Will Kopelman
‘Between my kids and work, I don’t have the time in life. But I realized that if I’m more consistent about it and carve out the time for it, it leads to a better life,’ she noted.
Barrymore continued: ‘Before, it was all workout or none. And that really didn’t suit me. I had to prioritize it, but I will tell you, it is, like, third on my list. It probably should be first, but it’s, like, kids and work are probably rivals.’
Over the years, she pointed out that exercising has jumped from ‘like, number 24 on’ her list of priorities to ‘fourth on the list.’
Finding balance: Barrymore recently spoke about struggling to juggle wellness, parenting and friendships during her interview in Health’s first-ever Change Issue (which went on sale on December 18)
‘My friendships are third. But, hey, it’s in the top five—so that’s good,’ she said of her health.
When asked about the importance of her friendships, she explained her girlfriends were her ‘first family.’
‘My friendships really are gardens, and I cultivate them. I’ve been friends with all my friends, for, like, 20, 30, 40 years. I just want to be with my very real friends—and it’s hella fun, but it’s f***ing real, my relationships with my friends. Friendship is not frivolous; it’s important,’ she reflected.
‘I am extremely honest, and I try to be honest in a way that doesn’t scare them. What I do not want to do is take my kids’ sense of security and safety away—that’s me robbing them of something by keeping them informed,’ she said
In her revealing interview, she also discussed whether she believes the events that took place in 2020, from the election and Black Lives Matter protests to COVID-19, will lead to or inspire change.
‘No life escapes trauma, and the human experience is so complex—but I love the eye-opening that 2020 brought,’ Barrymore stated. ‘You thought you understood, but there’s something about 2020 that basically [feels like] a rebirth. That’s such a powerful thing.’
With so much going on in the world, she has worked hard to be transparent with her daughters, while also preserving their innocence.
Before and after: The movie star shared a series of images and videos from her exercise sessions in February 2020, which consisted of barre, a type of workout that combines ballet with Pilates, yoga, dance and strength training
‘I am extremely honest, and I try to be honest in a way that doesn’t scare them. What I do not want to do is take my kids’ sense of security and safety away—that’s me robbing them of something by keeping them informed,’ she said.
She revealed her little ones have marched in marches and ‘canvased’ her building to ‘get people to vote.’
Barrymore shares her girls with Kopelman, who she wed in 2012 and divorced four years later.
Over the years, she pointed out that exercising has jumped from ‘like, number 24 on’ her list of priorities to ‘fourth on the list’