We’re in a terrifying and confusing pandemic, with new and sometimes conflicting information about COVID-19 emerging all the time. In the early days, a lot of public health advice was based on what we knew about previous disease outbreaks. But this new coronavirus behaves in unexpected ways, and it’s hard to keep up.
As negative and unfavorable as this year has been, I want to shed some light on the situation as it stands and the amazing realizations that have surfaced as a result of it.
Now,I am by no means saying I am happy about this pandemic, but I am thankful for the profound inspirational lessons it has enlightened me with along the way that I have been able to grow from.And here are ten of them
1. Health Is the Most Important Thing
There is an old saying by Augusten Burroughs that when you have your health, you have everything, and I now side by that claim more than ever before. Who we are as people, what we can achieve, and the dreams we strive for all are determined by our health and ability to perform the necessary tasks to get there. When your health is good, your mind can become limitless in developing inner strength and establishing a quality-driven life. You can test your body to reach new advancements and really see what you are made of.There are so many people debilitated by COVID-19. And with health being the forefront of concern lately, I have learned just how fragile it really is, genuinely enticing me to never take it for granted.
2. Family Is Extremely Valuable
Life can get busy. Between school, working, to balancing your life out, connecting with family might be on the lower end of your plans. Though social distancing and other precautionary measures are still in place, family and being close to my loved ones has transformed, and for the better. I have realized how precious family is, and I make time to stay as close as I can. They are my rooted unconditional support system, and what keeps me going.Between the deaths and sickness going on, life is far too short and vulnerable not to tell your family you love them and make them a priority. Because as much as I hate to admit it, you never know what tomorrow will bring.
3. I Control Nothing
One of the first things I learned since March of 2020 was that I really am not in control. I control none of those external situations that arise, and as much as I would love for that not to be the case, I have come to accept that reality. The world is not perfect, nor will it ever be perfect, and I have let go of the idea that me, just being one person, can dictate it. But this is not all bad, because with taking that burden off of my shoulders, I have been able to actually focus on the things that I can control in my own life to make it better and be a value to society. I learned that though I may not have the ability to control the world, I can control how I react to it, which has helped me cultivate healthier well-being.
4. Money Can’t Stop You from Getting A Virus
You can have all the money in the world, but the fact of the matter is that no one is immune to getting sick or contracting COVID-19. We are all human and we are all immortal, rich or not. Sure, money may be able to buy more precautionary services that perhaps allow you to leave your house less, but it only takes one germ, and a dollar bill cannot shield you from that. Keep in mind that I am all for people gaining income and reaching financial goals. But I want to make it clear that this virus (or viruses in general) do not care about your net value, and you should be aware of that.
5. Your Mental Health Matters.
I always knew taking care of your mental health was so important, but this pandemic has made me realize just how crucial it is. Paying attention to your feelings and emotions and looking for ways to help yourself can make you so much stronger during this time. I've also learned that being honest about your mental health with others can be helpful, too—if you feel comfortable doing that. Talking to friends and family about how I felt anxious and listening to how they were feeling made me feel less alone.
6.Boundaries are important
Even though I've been quarantining with family, that doesn't mean my boundaries haven't been tested. On the social front, there were some times when I felt overwhelmed with too many zoom parties or FaceTime calls and had to bow out of them. On the work front, I've tried hard to create a work/life balance even though my office is now my home. That means trying my best to log off at the same time every day and not working through the night. Productivity expert-recommended going for a walk or leaving your home after work to establish some separation like you're "commuting" home, so I try to take a short walk around my neighborhood after logging off, and when I can't, I just get up, walk around my house for a bit, and change my clothes before I prepare dinner.
7. The future is promised to no one.
I learned that we can do anything, but we can't do everything... at least not at the same time. So think of your priorities, not in terms of what activities you do, but when you do them. Timing is everything.
There is one saying that goes like this “There is no time like the present” and it means don’t waste any more precious time. Do all you have to do now. Don’t wait until tomorrow, since you never know what tomorrow’s got for you. Don’t think about the past, live your present and be patient till your future becomes your present, as planning it in advance is of no worth.
8. Live your life at the moment, because tomorrow is never promised.
Tomorrow isn't promised to us. So live as if today is your last day on earth. Love like you've never loved before. Dream deeper than you've ever imagined you could dream. Experience all that your heart desires. If tomorrow you wake and everything still remains, at least your living now!
9.Staying in touch with people still takes effort
I know that relationships (romantic, platonic, familial) take work, but they're tested even more during COVID. We've had to be more proactive than ever in reaching out to people. I've had to make a point to regularly check in with friends and family when normally I wouldn't care as much because I would be able to catch up with them in person at social gatherings. One silver lining I find in all of this is that I've gotten closer with some friends I haven't spoken to in a while. I used to talk to some college friends only a couple of times a year because of busy schedules and geographical distance, but during this time, I've talked to them more than I have in years.
10.Your support system means everything
I don't know where I would be without my support system of friends, family, and colleagues. Just knowing that someone is thinking about you and also going through the same things you are going through has made all the difference for me. Even though I haven't been able to see most of them physically, I have been really touched by their support and care.
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