This blog is written by Lisa Walker, a guest blogger of CoffeeWithJR.
Most of us naturally resist change, especially when it’s forced upon us rather than being a choice. COVID-19 pandemic is a perfect example. Few of us would choose to wear face masks or isolate ourselves from the world unless we were told it was important, and it’s been hard to get used to. Even though pandemic restrictions are loosening up in most areas around the country, many things in life will likely be different for the foreseeable future. Below, find self-care tips and ideas to help you cope with the new normal brought on by COVID-19.
Take Time to Reflect
For many people, the pandemic has been a wake-up call about priorities. What seemed important before doesn’t matter as much when you go into survival mode. During this time, you’ve probably had a lot of opportunities to think about your direction and life goals.
It’s hard to implement life changes during quarantine, but now that things are reopening, you have more opportunities to act. If you don’t know where to start, simplifying your life is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
This can be as simple as stopping junk mail, making a capsule wardrobe, or combining household chores to make your days easier. By embracing these principles of minimalism, it will be easier to focus your efforts on any other changes you want to make in your life.
Take Care of What Can’t Wait
Some things can be put on hold while you wait for things to reopen, but others can’t. For example, you shouldn’t skip going to the hospital for emergencies or seeking mental health help. Emergency health visits require a trip to the hospital, but other healthcare needs can be handled through a telehealth appointment until all services resume at clinics.
Just like your health, your housing needs can’t always wait until the pandemic is a thing of the past. If you need to move or sell your house, you can still do so. The real estate industry has responded well to the pandemic by offering a plethora of new options for buying or selling your house. For example, many agents are offering 3D walkthroughs and video-chat tours to give you an experience comparable to the one you would get walking through a home in person.
Explore New Options
Whether by force or choice, your career goals may have changed in response to the pandemic. For example, if you’ve been furloughed or lost your job, you might want to look into a new career path once the job market recovers. There are many companies that are hiring remote workers to adapt to the changes caused by the pandemic. But if you don’t like the idea of going back to work for someone else, there’s always the option of starting your own path as a successful independent contractor.
Marketing your skills on different online job platforms is a great way to make connections and land remote work. Whether your talent is for accounting, sales, graphic design, or computer coding, you can find freelance opportunities online.
Make Plans for the Future
The pandemic put many people into survival mode. In this mindset, it’s hard to look past the here and now. However, it’s important for your mental health to be hopeful for the future.
Even though many of your favorite activities might still be off the table right now, planning for the future will give you something to look forward to. It doesn’t matter if your goals include losing weight, reducing stress, mastering a hobby, taking a trip, or starting a new vocation. Making a solid life plan will help you get there. You can also take steps to getting a business idea off the ground, and these days, there are companies that can help you get everything set up — including any paperwork you’ll need to keep things legal!
Engage Your Mind
One of the best tips for self-care during and after the crisis is to learn a hobby. This is especially important if you’ve had to put many of the important aspects of your life on hold. Having something to keep your mind active can keep you from focusing on all the negatives in the world. You might, for example, take up photography, art, or journaling. Whatever you do, make sure that it feeds your need for creativity and relaxation. Most importantly, remember that even hobbies take time to learn. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t jump into a new pastime as an immediate expert.
The pandemic has brought unprecedented changes to most people’s lives. It’s hard to adapt when everything gets upended at once, but the best way to make it through the pandemic is to try your best to be flexible and patient. Some parts of life will return to normal, and it will be as if the pandemic never happened. However, other changes will probably be here to stay, and being willing to adapt will help you thrive with life’s new norms.
*If you like Lisa Walker’s work, please check her out at Neighborhood Sprout
**Image vis Pexels
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