“Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long,you miss them.”
~ William Arthur Ward
This year has me wondering — is there more? More to life perhaps? More I can do? More I want to do?
Many of us have had more downtime in the past year that we’ve ever had before. Lots of thinking time, lots of planning time. We all know that time is not finite, but when life comes to a jarring halt as it did in 2020, maybe it’s time to reassess what we want the rest of our lives to be. Most will probably want more travel, more family, more normal. This time of reflection is rare. How can we benefit from it? What have we learned from a year of pandemic, sheltering in place, and isolation?
Perhaps we’ve realized how important social and family connections are. Maybe we’ve developed more empathy for social inequities. Or how situations beyond our control can impact our lives. Or how much we enjoy the pleasure of spending time with others, together, without fear.
2020 has been a great lesson in adaptation for all of us. For introverts, the chance to work at home and spend less time with others may be very much to our liking. If, however, we feed off of others in a work or social environment, we have had to deal with isolation, boredom, and even loneliness. By now we have probably found ways of adapting via computer communication or phone calls. Growth is possible in any environment, and a pandemic can challenge us to become stronger. Thankfully, the internet provides unending things to explore and learn and viewpoints to scrutinize and ponder.
It is vital that we take care of our own mental health. It’s important to stay connected in any way we can. For those who are feeling anxious, therapists know that being active is the best antidote. Acknowledge your anxiety and take action by engaging in a soothing activity or starting new hobby. Counseling may be needed as well.
Will COVID-19 define our generation the way the Great Depression and World War II did for generations before us? Many monumental changes have already occurred — vaccines were developed in less than a year! This is a huge achievement that sets the bar for future research. Change is emerging in many areas, including research, business models, education, and government. Will we ever go back to long drives to the office or actual business trips now that we have become accustomed to no commute, less road rage, lower fuel costs, less smog and traffic? The pandemic has drastically changed our educational system. Will less expensive, more inclusive education, without costly room and board, and no snow days, become the norm? Will we welcome telemedicine appointments over sitting in the doctor’s waiting room?
Here is another important question — How can we each be a part of this revolution? We may still have several months of discretionary time ahead — how will we take advantage of this time for ourselves and family? We could exercise more, change our lifestyle, eat healthier, change careers, and reach out to others more often. Some of us may grieve for our pre-COVID lives. Some find it helpful to establish new routines to bring stability in a time of chaos. Regular calls or video chats with a friend can provide self-care and fulfill our need for connection. It is helpful to remember that everyone feels some isolation and stress right now. It’s up to each of us to take action. Wouldn’t a world crisis would be a terrible thing to waste?
