10/04/2021
What the Pandemic taught (or rather reminded) me.
1. Nothing is certain, everything is fluid and having attachments to outcomes has caused me nothing but stress.
2. Family and friends matter more to me than I realised. Social contact with others is just as important.
3. I have relearned to appreciate more.
4. I have done my best to appreciate that whatever is happening is just an experience – a neutral experience. If I judge something as good – fine, but if I judge it negatively; it is a sure sign that I have not learnt something. (Even my covid induced heart attack was a gift… really!)
5. Looking after myself is not selfish. Self-care is vital in maintaining my wellbeing for me to function and support others.
6. I have a clearer understanding of pragmatism which trumps my old stubborn dogmatism any day.
7. If we want to live within a trustworthy local community, I must be the first to open up to trusting myself more.
8. The early days of lockdown showed me how scared people were, they were hyperaware of others in the street, in the queues and in the shops. Awareness is not a bad thing when not motivated by fear. I did my best to engage others verbally, not just with my eyes from behind a mask.
9. There will never be the same old or the old normal ever again. I have had to learn from the experiences I have had, or else it was not worth experiencing them in the first place.
10. Although our brain (and therefore us) crave for certainty, life is infinitely uncertain and I need to have the flexibility or trust to have a plan B.
11. Wealth inequality has become so obvious that I hope society will not continue to sweep the incongruity of modern life under the carpet.
12. Prior to the pandemic, mental health issues had apparently increased ten fold over the previous ten years. I am working through how to support and help the incoming tsunami of problems that are on the way. We need more conversations about mental health and mental ill health.
THERE ARE MORE THAN 12 LESSONS – BUT THESE STAND OUT FOR ME.
What are your top lessons that you can share with others?