It Took COVID-19 to Teach Me These Five Things
With a crisis like the coronavirus pandemic, it’s easy to develop strong emotions or feelings of anxiety. We are all concerned about loved ones, friends, family and colleagues. Maybe some of us are missing the gym or our favorite restaurants. One thing is certain: this pandemic has shifted our world. So, let’s shift our mindset.
Here are a few things that COVID-19 taught me:
How to be productive while working from home.
Routines are an invaluable part of my day and that didn’t change when I shifted to working from home. Whether it’s brewing my morning coffee, structuring my workday with to-do lists or preparing for a video call with my colleagues, my work routine sets me up for success throughout the day. Mindful practices like diffusing essential oils or listening to an upbeat playlist help me recenter and refocus. Setting up an effective workspace keeps me on track while staying positive and proactive. COVID-19 taught me how to effectively plan my day, manage stress and be efficient with my time – all from the comfort of home.
The importance of trust and how essential it is in the workplace.
When businesses were ordered to close and shelter in place restrictions went into effect, Off Madison Ave was ready and available to transition to work from home mode.
Our thoughtful leadership team, supervisors and teammates embraced open communication and continued to share (virtual) space for each of us to ask questions or to ask for help. Factoring in team check-in meetings and LOL-worthy memes sent via Slack, COVID-19 taught me the true value of working with a team of inspirational people who continued to build trust and work hard during these tough times.
Awareness of my environmental impact.
Prior to COVID-19, I did my best to reduce, reuse and recycle. But after this pandemic? I am more aware than ever of my impact on our planet. From the amount of trash I create to being mindful of where my food comes from, I am more conscious of my decisions and purchases. When I choose to shop local at the farmer’s market (social distancing style) to #SupportLocal, or embrace my appreciation for clear skies and less air pollution, COVID-19 brought my environmental awareness to the forefront of my mind. Now I’m exploring new practices I might not have considered before, such as tending to my own garden or composting food scraps.
How to reclaim the day!
Recently, I came to a realization. I spent several hours each week commuting to and from work. These hours have now been given back to me, and I’ve been reclaiming every minute.
From cooking my own meals to saving money by not making daily coffee runs, these small actions have provided a sense of joy and a feeling of accomplishment while stuck in quarantine. I’ve been lucky to have filled my time with online workouts, Instagram Live yoga sessions, home improvement projects and my favorite television shows. COVID-19 showed me what my days can look like when those hours are reclaimed.
What is truly important in life.
Most importantly, it took this situation to remind me what I truly value in my life. Whether it’s gratitude for my health, the ability to do things that bring me joy or prioritizing family and friends – the pandemic has shifted my mindset for the better. This time in quarantine has reminded me that it’s ok to take a mental health day or build a more conscious work-life balance. I hereby give myself permission to dive into self care with no real purpose other than to take time for myself, read my favorite books or light the expensive candles. There’s no time like the present to live life on your own terms. Stop waiting until tomorrow!
Coronavirus has impacted all of us in some way. As we look to further our efforts in moving past this pandemic, I hope we can take some of the lessons we’ve learned and priorities we’ve shifted into this next phase of life. Here’s to taking on a new sense of gratitude and carrying forward some of these lessons we’ve learned from the past couple of months.
Care to share things that you’ve learned? Leave me a comment below.