What COVID-19 Has taught Me (December 2021)
It’s hard to believe that another year has passed by since the pandemic started.
Like everyone, I have been affected on many levels. From becoming virtual and having a book tour cancelled, to moving my office and not seeing friends or family—and of course no hugging or dining out. All these are examples of things we certainly have taken for granted.
I have learned that I need a minimal amount to survive, and that I appreciate “seeing” my clients and “seeing my family.” Now that I get to hug my mom again, I’m loving and appreciating those hugs more than before. I’m glad I have been able to spend more time with my dogs, bonding more so with them in their senior years. I’ve also reintroduced hobbies I enjoyed as a kid such, as playing Rummikub Q, playing cards, watching TV, playing tennis and washing my car. It may sound strange that I included watching TV, but I had been so busy for the last five years in writing and developing my book that I never had time, or made the time, to watch TV.
I’m thankful to have been able to catch up on sleep, spend less time on the computer in the evening, and spend more time talking with my husband. I have organized cabinets, given away clothes that no longer fit, don’t look good or that I don’t like, and generally worked on not keeping “stuff” around. I’ve built a gorgeous new office—where I can now see clients safely in person—and have brushed up my cooking and baking skills, too.
Most importantly, I have worked on getting to know myself better. I’ve stopped to smell the roses and have decided what is important to me without sweating the “small stuff.” I appreciate going to the grocery store and seeing shelves stocked, compared with the beginning of the pandemic, when I bought whatever was available. However, the pandemic has taught me to be less picky and be thankful to have nourishment on my plate, knowing that many people struggle to have access to any food at all.
I’ve enjoyed taking walks with myself, my dogs, or with friends. I’ve also enjoyed trying new restaurants, as many of my former standbys are sadly no longer around.
I’m also learning to live in the moment and not plan so far ahead in the future. Before the pandemic, I always planned ahead on my calendar—and we all know where planning far ahead got us. It was disappointing to have to delete vacations, concerts, plays and other events that from our schedules.
What the pandemic has taught you? Hopefully it has helped you grow for the better, as I know it has helped me.
