When something comes along and changes your life so drastically, it can leave you feeling a little lost and unsure. Trying to adjust to a new normal is not an easy task in any circumstance. If the circumstance is a global pandemic, it can be almost crippling. In times like this, it’s important to realize that whatever is going on isn’t happening TO us, it’s happening FOR us. Sounds crazy, I know, but it’s true. So lately, I’ve been thinking about what COVID-19 is teaching us, and what we can take away from all of this.
The Hard Lessons
When something that is so seemingly negative happens, it’s hard to understand why. It’s like you go through the five stages of grief for your former life. Your old way of thinking and being is gone. Each day you adapt a little more, and somewhere along the line, you realize that you’re changing.
I fully believe that situations like this happen to teach us something. Something that we wouldn’t have effectively learned any other way. Maybe it’s that we need to slow down. Listen to the advice of others. Appreciate time with our family more. Value our health. Gain some perspective on what is really important. Maybe it’s none of them, and maybe it’s all of them. It’s hard to say.
With this situation affecting nearly everyone in the world, the media does a great job of instilling fear and creating polarizing opinions on where to place the blame. When people are scared, they operate from a place of fear and anger. It’s always easier to point the finger at someone. It helps people make sense of what is happening. And while I understand why people do it, it doesn’t help the situation at all. We’re here now, and we can’t change what has already happened. There will always be “what ifs” and “I wishes” but the thing is, things happen the way they are meant to. Period.
I heard a guest on a podcast once say that the universe is going to tell you what you need to hear. It will give you gentle nudges and clues to help you get the message. If you continue to ignore the gentle nudges, it will slap you across the face and MAKE you see what it’s been trying to tell you all along. And that is exactly what is happening now. We’re all meant to learn something. Something important that we may have been missing, and it’s taken a literal global pandemic to snap us into place.
How I’m feeling
That’s not to say that I’m a constant ray of sunshine remaining positive every day. During this time of uncertainty, I am scared. I’m scared for my kids, for my in-laws that are in their 80’s, for my mother who works in a hospital. I’m scared for my sister who is an ICU nurse in Detroit that has to wear a ventilator mask and a face shield because all of her patients are COVID-19 positive. I’m scared for all of the people and business struggling in the world, me included.
But even though I’m scared, I’m choosing not to live in that space. It’s too overwhelming and would most likely force me into a deep depression. Right now, I’m choosing to focus on the positive things that are happening. It sounds crazy to say that, with all of the horrible things you hear every day, but there is always a bit of positive mixed in with negative, if you choose to see it. I want to make sure I’m open to those things, and learn whatever lesson I’m supposed to from this.
What I’m learning
This current situation has already made me realize a few things, even after only a few short weeks. (I know it seems much longer). During this time, I’m deciding to focus on how this is changing me for the better. Here are three things that I’ve learned so far:
- The things I see as problems are so minor compared to so many others in the world. It’s so easy to get caught up in daily lives and frustrations, and sometimes it all feels so overwhelming. When something like this happens, you get to see a different perspective. You realize that the things you stress about don’t really matter. People are dying alone in hospitals without family members to hold their hand. That’s real.
- I’m a lot more creative than I thought I was. Not wanting to leave the house and go to the store has forced me to really cook with what I have. I’ve been going through my pantry and freezer, and putting together meals and experimenting more. Sometimes some boundaries and limits are just what you need to get your creative juices flowing. It helps you think outside of the box and I’ve come up with some really delicious meals.
- The whole world is connected. The speed and the distance at which this virus is able to spread proves just how connected we all are. Even when you think you’re stuck in your little bubble, what you do matters, to someone, somewhere. Your actions could have an effect on people halfway around the world. That’s a big responsibility. It makes you realize that you should make decisions out of love, and do what you can to help others. Both positive and negative effects can be felt long after your actions.
What do we do now?
When all of this is over, life will be changed forever. Millions of people will return to work, and look back at this time as an annoying hiccup in their daily routine. Others will have to adjust to their new normal and piece their life back together. Whatever the case is, everyone has been affected by this, to some degree. How has it changed you? Are you more calm and understanding? More peaceful? More scared?
It’s always your choice how you react to a situation. We can choose to be angry about it, or we can choose to accept it. Don’t let this be the thing that breaks you. You are stronger than you realize. Even during this time there are so many beautiful things happening, and so many people doing what they can to help. Choose to be the good that you want to see in the world.
Take this time to reflect and learn. Enjoy your family. Take care of yourself. Support your healthcare and other essential workers that are keeping it together for everyone. Spread love and joy whenever possible, and help wherever you can. We really are all in this together, so let’s do what we can to come out stronger than ever on the other side.
