Two of the focuses of my blog are Current Events and Health/Wellness. The Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic/Crisis has created unprecedented and complex circumstances for everyone. While the situation sorts itself out, you don’t have to let it be the end of your world as there are potential opportunities to better your life in the meantime. The following contributed post is entitled, Coronavirus Lockdown Doesn’t Make You Powerless. It’s Your Opportunity To Take Control.
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How are you, dear reader? It’s okay if you need a moment to answer that question. Like the rest of us, you’re likely dealing with a completely different paradigm in every aspect of your life and work. Your day to day is likely far removed from what it was even at the start of this year. You may be grappling with unforeseen expenses potentially combined with a loss of income. You may have either or a lot less free time on your hands. You may have assumed the role of teacher as you homeschool your kids using resources provided by their school. You may be sleeping a lot less easily, even if you’re lucky enough not to have been directly impacted by the virus itself or lost anyone to it.
Image by Julia M Cameron via Pexels
You may feel as though life has spiralled out of your control right now. But fear not, dear reader. This may feel like the end. But it’s actually just the beginning…
Lockdown liberation
While in lockdown you may feel isolated. You may be cut off from the people, places and and activities that bring you meaning. But look at this not as an incarceration but a liberation! No longer do you need to define yourself by the places where you shop or the products you own. You’re no longer the clothes you wear or the car you drive. This can be a very liberating opportunity for you to redefine and reinvent yourself. Whether it’s by giving your business a new marketing push or re-engaging with new hobbies or interests. Now’s the time to pare down the distractions and focus on what really matters.
Cut unnecessary costs and take control of your budget
Now’s the time to start thinking about all those wasted costs that quickly added up in your pre-lockdown life. From the monday morning latte to the beers with the team after work on Friday. Necessity is the mother of invention. Now’s the time to make budgeting your new best friend. See how much you could save on auto insurance with a pay-per-mile company like Metromile. Invest in preparing, cooking, freezing and reheating more homemade meals. See if you can save money by switching your energy, phone or broadband providers. You might just learn that you have more control of your household budget than you thought.
Rethink your diet
Speaking of home cooked meals, the long lines and bare shelves at the grocery store might just be the shot in the arm that you needed. Now that access tro sugary, salty and fatty processed foods is restricted, it’s time to take control of your diet and start making good on those health and fitness promises you made yourself at the start of the year.
Rediscover your creativity
To paraphrase a fictional character… You’re not the car you drive, the clothes you wear or how much money you have in the bank. You are the sum total of all the things that bring your life joy and meaning. If you’re able to get that in your work, fantastic! But if you’re not, it’s time to re-engage with your old interests and rediscover your creativity. Pick up a paintbrush, dust off that manuscript you were working on or get together with some friends over video chat to make a podcast.
Whatever brings you happiness or meaning, the COVID-19 lockdown isn’t going to remove your control over your life… it might just be what hands it back.
