On my morning walk the other day I walked by this tree. I had to look around before realizing it was the only one not fully dressed in its typical green foliage. There it stood – alone, different, bare, but standing tall and majestic. Despite the exposure, it had an unusual beauty that was captivating.
I could not help but think of our lives since March 2020 – when COVID-19 first appeared and left us bare and exposed….our lives came to a halt! Emotions ran deep – there was much pain, sorrow, isolation, loneliness, change (unexpected and nonstop!), confusion, denial, fear, anxiety, depression, uncertainty.
The tree waits, with certainty, knowing it will be fully dressed again. While we cannot return to life as we knew it, we can remain open to new possibilities, applying the many lessons we have learned over the past 26 months, and begin to carve out a vision of what we want our ‘new’ life to look like. How can we create a fresh start, and begin to thrive and bloom again?
Here are a few recommendations:
1. Take time for self….have regular ‘me’ time; it is essential to first put on your oxygen mask.
2. Limit your social media consumption; set a specific time to disconnect daily.
3. Engage in leisure interests – be intentional about blocking time to do something pleasurable, for example, running, creating digital photo albums, photography, yoga, learn a new skill – tennis, playing an instrument, take a dance class, gardening, start or join a book club, walking. Life is not all about work - find a healthy balance.
4. Do what you love professionally – are you content with what you are doing? Do you want to work remotely? In person? Hybrid? Full-time/part-time? Do you want to start your own business? #TheGreatResignation is an ongoing conversation as we realize the options that are now available. What do you really want to do and is it feasible? Explore your options. If in a relationship, brainstorm with your partner.
5. Set boundaries – know that it is okay for you to say no, without any feelings of guilt. You know how much is on your plate – do not take on more than you can physically and emotionally manage.
6. Spend more time with the ones you love – you choose how you spend your time; the people who you care about and who care about you should be a priority.