This title might be a bit of an exaggeration, but to some, it kind of feels like the end of the world is around the corner. The streets are empty, bars & restaurants are closed and the stores are boarded up. In addition to strict guidelines to continue practicing self-isolating and social distancing, community members across Canada and the US are now being issued fines for ignoring COVID-19 orders and legislation. With the tightening of borders and implementing of health & safety policies, it’s important that we take time to reflect on the impact of this global pandemic. And this goes beyond adapting to the grocery store lineups, online ordering methods, birthday celebrations and event cancellations.
We’ve rounded up 15 lessons we’ve learned during this difficult (and unprecedented) time.
- The importance of social responsibility
- The reality of a pandemic brings out not only the best but also the worst in people on a personal, communal and global scale
- The power of human connection, the power of technology and the fact that we can develop, maintain and/or improve our relationships with friends and family members regardless of physical distance
- The ability to (hopefully) successfully share a small living space with someone else
- The friends we can count on when in need
After making our own list, we went on to ask a number of friends the same question. While some friends took the same reflective approach as we did, others shared a list of their own feelings.
Honorable mentions include:
- The Quarantine 15 is a real thing
- The lengths people will go to protect and help others
- The importance of keeping positive when things feel so out of control
- The new appreciation of the small things in life (i.e. hugs & kisses)
- The recognition of how biologically vulnerable the human species is
- The importance of supporting small and local businesses
- The realization that the need to feel busy or make plans has less to do with personal interest and more to do with social pressures and expectations
- The need to make a conscious effort to make the world a better place
- The annoyance that comes with gyms being closed
- The realization that our family roles have reversed…from our parents telling us not to go out when we were young, and now we have to convince them of the same.
While the world seems like a dark and scary place at the moment, there is always an opportunity to learn from yourself and others. Before complaining (again) about the frustration of staying home, be thankful for your health, friends and family and take a moment to think about the lessons you’ve learned from this. It’s likely you’ll be able adding to your list in the coming weeks when you take the time to self reflect and acknoweldge the bigger picture.