What the Global Pandemic Has Taught Us
What can we learn from this time, as a collective? Individually we’ve all had our own unique experiences and likely spent time reflecting on what we truly value. I’m going to share five themes that I believe the many of us have considered, or would at least agree apply to us.*
1. Health is our top priority
We often hear stories of people who didn’t take their health seriously until they were faced with a disease. The diagnosis might have led to regret for not caring early enough, or to changing their lifestyle in order to remain alive longer. We have watched as borders, businesses and economies have closed or adapted significantly, all to prevent the spread of this new disease.
Now we’re seeing the use of masks indoors being dictated by governments, required temperature checks before entering fitness studios, reduced capacity limits at restaurants, and markings on pathways to show people what a socially distanced 2 metres looks like. Our governments and health experts are regularly adapting to changing information with the aim of keeping us all safe. We’ve been told that this is the “new normal” but I’ve got my fingers crossed that we’re able to return to a less restrictive way of living within the next year.
2. We crave human connection
My family
If you ask people what they miss most during this time, there’s a great chance that they will respond with an answer that revolves around connecting with others: family, friends, work colleagues, favourite fitness instructors, etc. We’re extremely lucky to be going through a pandemic at a time when we have the technology to support business meetings, social gatherings and FaceTime with loved ones across the globe. Virtual Zoom parties were all the rage when the reality of being socially isolated first hit us. Though a safe and easy option to visit with multiple people at a time, I feel that they fall short of the true connection that in person interactions can provide. I think it’s because they feel less natural, but that could also be my age showing. I don’t know about you but I’ve felt a sense of relief when I’ve been able to see others in person; there’s something about being next to other humans that makes us feel comforted. This coming from an extroverted introvert…
3. There’s more to life than material items
Here’s an activity for you: think about or write down what you value in life and spend a few minutes reflecting on how it compare to the stuff in your home. I’m sure there are items that bring you joy, for me it’s a Nespresso machine, but is everything equally contributing to helping you live a fulfilled life?
When we consider that most Canadians are struggling financially, we probably realize that a funded savings account brings us more value than the things we wanted but didn’t truly need. Our ability to interact with friends and family without worrying over spreading a disease that could hurt them, freedom to travel domestically and internationally and being employed in a business that interacts with and serves others are just a few of the situations we’re likely thinking about.
4. Our mental health is being challenged
Mai Tai at Basalt in Honolulu
We’re out of routine, surrounded by change and unpredictability. We have no choice but to admit that we don’t have control over the things in our life that we thought we did. Many of us are finding ourselves unemployed or our income drastically reduced. Even those who still have a job and are able to work from home are dealing with their changed reality. It’s not easy and we’re all coping in different ways. Those who are more resilient or optimistic are likely doing alright here. I’m personally loving the down time but am really itching to travel.
Alcohol consumption, drug use, domestic abuse and suicides are all seeing increases during this time. Early into the quarantine situation, I was at a nearby liquor store in search of a bottle of rosé that I had learned about on a Zoom-based Earls Wine from Home session (#influenced). The store employees shared that they had seen business similar to what they get during the winter holidays but instead of it lasting two weeks, it wasn’t ending! I do think there are more people outside walking, running and biking and working out at home so perhaps we’re not all picking up less healthy ways of coping?
5. We are driven by purpose and cause
There’s no coincidence that the Black Lives Matter movement has gained so much momentum in the midst of a global pandemic. Though many of us are still busy living our lives, it seems that we’re taking the time to recognize our personal values and where there are injustices. Like others, I’ve always know that racism exists but I’ve never consciously taken the time to learn about it and speak up about it. This is my white privilege showing. With a plethora of resources, we have no excuse not to educate ourselves about what life is like for people who are different from us, not just in race. This might be harder but the next step is to start speaking up against injustices that exist. It can be as simple as regularly sharing a social post from a person of colour or as challenging as calling out a family member who uses homophobic slurs. We choose to educate ourselves, to be allies and to donate to causes that further equity in our world because we are inherently good. People who don’t are unfortunately the result of learned white supremacy and entitlement and we need to step away from them whenever possible.
Final Thoughts
I view this time as a collective pause. Think about how busy we all were before we were forced to stay at home and limit our in-person interactions. We’ve been put on an extended time out and it’s up to us to not only decide what we’re going to do during this time, but how we are going to continue to approach life.
Your Turn
What do you think? Is there a collective thought that I’m overlooking? I’ll be writing about what I’ve personally learned during this time and would love to hear what you’ve learned, too.
*Disclaimer: I write this and all of my posts, from a place of privilege, and though I do my best to consider all perspectives in general topics like this, it will likely still be skewed. Privilege is a topic I’ll be addressing in another post.