Every moment in life gives you a lesson that you can carry forward in your life. As stressful, saddening, and painful the pandemic has been, it also has it fair share of lessons that you can carry moving on with your everyday life.
Everyone was surprised and nobody is prepared for this pandemic from the older age group to the younger generations, especially when the lockdown across the country was announced as more and more doctors suggest that people should stay indoors.
We thought about our work, painting classes, trips to the mall, and our freedom of movement. A selfish thought, but was borne out of lack of information on what was happening at that time and how dire the situation was going to be.
Due to the existing public health threat of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) and safety protocols for disease control, let’s celebrate this year’s Labor Day Virtually. Let’s hold on with our #LabOURDay with a heart of compassion.
Here are some of what you have learned new during COVID 19 pandemic:
Create a schedule for yourself
The best way to transition from in site office to working from home is to do it slowly, you cannot just start off waking up late and not doing your morning routine when you go to your office. To prepare better for work from home set up, treat it as if you are working in your office as well, wake up early (or a few minutes late since time in would not be that difficult), do your usual routine and even dress up for work.
After a few days that is when you can start transitioning to your new work from home schedule, you can mix up some of your routines like eat your breakfast while checking emails, or even dressing up your top half only to make yourself more presentable in your online meetings. The key here is to have your schedule when working from home so that you are organized and doing your tasks as efficient as working in the office.
Be kind to yourself first
Is it Monday or Tuesday? We don’t seem to know. Every day seems like a never-ending scroll of what Netflix movie you’re going to cry on, what cooking tutorial can you try next, or waiting for your favorite vlogger to upload videos about their lives. It feels like an eternity of waiting. Be kind to yourself and make this day a breather, look up and be grateful for how blessed you are. Breathe! Inhale, exhale.
Don’t force yourself to be productive
Don’t be pressured by the time you have. Enjoy every moment! The internet wants you to believe you are efficient with all that “extra time” you have now. But staying at home and providing for your basic needs is plenty. Take one step at a time.
If you ever feel tired just take a time off from the screen, cook a quick snack or maybe listen to a few tunes. Learning when to rest while working from home is a great way to preserve your energy, well being and your peace of mind.
Decompress, practice self care, and do it regularly
Our Daily schedule is a jumble of work and home commitments, which can be mentally and physically draining. Find an activity that suits you best. If you like to cook or bake, bring out those recipes, and get busy. If you have pets you can play with, do that. If you have a small garden, tend to it. The key is to do an activity that you love and relaxes you. If you get stressed from going through your social media news feeds, make it a point not to indulge yourself in it.
Prioritize your physical, emotional, mental health and overall well-being
Take all the necessary precautions whenever you do a grocery run. Daily vitamin intake is a must for everyone as well as transitioning to a diet of healthy food and boosting the immune system. Health care is our safety net and the upmost priority nowadays amidst the dangers of COVID 19.
Learning new skills is essential
One of the best thing that the global pandemic taught is how important it is to have a hobby specially for young people. People began developing their own personal hobbies amidst the pandemic, may it be gardening, baking, or even something more outrageous like taking care of exotic pets. The COVID 19 pandemic brought about a lot of things that can keep you busy while staying in the confines of your home.
These hobbies also became a source of income for some people.
Compassion should come first
Since everyone is in a literal sense of Long Distance relationship, make use of what you have to check in with your family and friends. Everyone is experiencing this quarantine and all the emotions that comes with it. A simple check-in with someone who you haven’t heard from in a while can make a difference in helping overcome challenges of being away from the people we love. You may just be reaching out at a time when they need someone to talk to the most. All of these is a practice of compassion and genuine concern.
The past year is done, move forward towards your new entire life
Yes the pandemic hurt us, may it be being stuck inside our homes away from the people we love and miss, not celebrating important life events and milestones because of the restrictions or even the pain of losing someone as a casualty of the virus, the thing is, the past year was really painful. You can have all the time in the world to mourn and accept the pain.
But in the end of the day, you will only have one thing to do, and that is to move forward, take all the lessons learned and create more memories with what you have.
Let us all be reminded by this crisis the reality of life – love, discovery, success, connection, and purpose.
Happy #LabOURDAY, everyone!
Related Blog: Why Pandemic Burnout Is so Hard to Handle and How You Help Yours
