Needless to say, the year 2020 turned the world upside down. The aftermath of the pandemic created a shift in our perspectives and priorities in all areas of our lives.
While it may feel like we missed out on a couple of years, the pandemic forced us to pivot and realize how precious life is and how we should cherish every moment. It made us reexamine our values and not take for granted our health and freedom. We developed a newfound respect and appreciation for how we choose to live our lives. Here are some of those valuable lessons:
Life is Short
Live your life fully every day. Don’t put off what you want to do. Do it now. Time is of the essence. Stop complaining about what you don’t have or can’t do and be grateful for all you have and all you can do.
Family Matters
Spending more time with the family includes not only blood relations but also our close friends. Home should be our safe haven that provides unconditional love, emotional support, a sense of belonging, and where we get to share our life’s joys and sorrows.
Healthy Lifestyle
During the lockdown, we gained greater control of what we ate since we were doing more home cooking and baking. The kitchen has always been the hub of family life, where it brings everyone together not only to eat but also to make memories. That’s amore!
Also, it became apparent how beneficial physical exercise and movement were to keeping a fit body and mind.
Life/Work Balance
The pandemic has changed the way we work and also developed a more mindful approach. A balanced lifestyle is essential for our health, relationships, productivity, and performance, as well as our overall life satisfaction and well-being.
Health is the New Wealth
It is important to make money, but not at the cost of losing your health. Health is the most valuable asset we have. Money can’t buy you love or health. We tend to think mainly of our physical health, but mental health is just as important and has been overlooked. As for our social health, the high cost of the pandemic led to social isolation and loneliness, especially among the elderly population. The impact caused not only a disruption of routine and structure, but also increased levels of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.
Connections
We are social beings. Social interaction and human contact are crucial for our basic survival needs. We need a community, and it’s true what they say – it takes a village. We are all interconnected and interdependent in the worldwide community. Despite the differences and distances, we are all prone to the same struggles and needs and thrive when we feel supported.
Positive Mindset
How we view the world and our problems is key to how we solve them more quickly and efficiently. It’s of no use to add stress and negativity. Think positive, be positive, do positive.
The Need for Flexibility
The secret to resilience is the ability to adapt and to be creative in the face of adversity. The only thing constant in life is change, so it is better to learn how to roll with the punches instead of getting punched in the face!
Less is More
Simplicity is about getting back to the basics. We don’t need to accumulate things, as material things are immaterial. The excessive accumulation of stuff complicates life with unnecessary distractions. The fewer hassles, the more you can concentrate on the important things in life, pardon the pun.
Reconnecting with Yourself
Many people discovered new hobbies or found the time to rediscover some of their forgotten interests and made the much-needed time to nourish their heart and soul.
Keep the Faith
No matter what we are going through, maintaining your faith is essential for our spiritual health. Trust and remember that God is always by our side, guiding and protecting us. Prayers can help us stay connected. Lean into God’s word and find peace in his presence.
Compassion Rules
Small acts of kindness can have a big impact on others lives and can go a long way. Goodness still exists in humanity, as there are people who manage to shine a light in the darkness and lift us up.
Wash your hands
As simple as it sounds, it is highly effective to avoid disease. There is no need to become obsessed, but become aware of basic hygienic practices and take the necessary precautions.
Be Prepared
The Boy Scouts motto is about being ready for life. There was a lot of fear mongering going on, so it is important to stay calm and not become overwhelmed, especially during difficult times.
Fear is like a virus that can spread and cause us to become miserable and less capable of coping with any crisis. Stick to the facts and do not let others influence you through fear.
Next? Moving Forward
In order to create constructive change, we must learn from our past mistakes and address our present needs in order to know how to deal with unforeseen situations in the future. The pandemic had far reaching effects in all areas of our lives, physically, psychologically, economically, socially, politically, and spiritually.
The pressures of the pandemic caused the cracks in the systems to break wide open. Hopefully this will help with the much-needed adjustments in our infrastructures and ensure that we can optimize our health care systems and prevent future crises.
Fortunately, the unsung heroes saved the day with their relentless hours of work and dedication. This includes everyone from nurses to doctors to grocery clerks to truck drivers, just to name a few.
We also should give an honourable mention to technology. As baby boomers, many of us may have complained about technology, but this crisis helped force a lot of people into learning technology. It provided us with a safe and practical way to remain connected to the outside world, our jobs, our friends and family, and schools.
This experience has been a wake-up call for the whole world. Necessity is the mother of invention. Hopefully, we will continue to learn how to do new things and strive with our innovative and strong spirit well beyond the pandemic.
And above all, stay true to our values.
Antoinette Giacobbe M.A.
