As recently promised, this is
a guest post from a respected counsellor written for the readers of this blog. Jennifer
Scott is a single mom that has lived with depression and anxiety since her
teenage years. She uses her experiences to coach other people through tough
times. Jennifer runs SpiritFinder.org. For more information and to see her
“must read’ list, visit her website.
Living
through a pandemic can be unpredictable and stressful. After all, everything is
changing—and often. And whether the changes happen by force or choice, there
are both challenges and benefits to each one. Here’s insight on both sides of
these life changes, including how they’ll impact you long-term.
Pressing Pause on a Major Move
If
you were preparing to sell your home pre-COVID-19, the real estate market
variables probably put a damper on your plans. Especially in the wake of
stay-at-home orders, prices are more likely to tank, so a rush sale may not be
in the cards.
Staying
in your current home longer is frustrating if you are eager to start your new
life. But there are ways to work around the coronavirus’s influence on the housing market. For example,
you can run virtual tours if selling your home is crucial at this point.
When
you rent, moving is still a tough call. After all, there is no guarantee that
your new place has been properly sanitized. And with fewer houses being sold,
rental rates might go up drastically. This can mean fewer options that are
available in your budget.
Starting a New Career
Changing
career paths can be anxiety-inducing in the best of times. And receiving a
layoff notice or digging into your savings isn’t the most optimistic way to
start a new career. That said, sometimes starting fresh can be just what you
need. Of course, many Americans—about 20 percent of the workforce—didn’t have a choice as of
mid-April, notes USA Today.
With virtual
classes resuming at many universities, you might even pursue higher
education if it’s been on your mind for a while. Or, you can boost your odds of finding employment by reaching out digitally
and dedicating time to honing your resume and cover letters.
If
you have the financial means, taking a sabbatical might be preferable,
particularly if you have a family (or kids you need to mind while daycares and
schools are closed). Plus, a resume gap is more understandable now than
ever, meaning you don’t have to worry about future employers’ perceptions of
your gap month (or year).
Growing a Garden
Along
with learning to bake and tackling DIY projects around the house, quarantined
people across the globe are turning to gardening to pass the time, explains Reuters.
Gardening is an excellent hobby in the best of times, but nowadays,
unpredictability in the supply chain might mean your backyard is the best place
to get fresh fruits and veggies.
Getting
your hands dirty—literally—is still relatively low stakes, however. Buying
seeds and playing in the soil doesn’t cost much. Gardening can even be therapeutic for adults and children alike. In
reality, there’s no real drawback to growing your own food, and doing so can
create a sense of community on your block, too.
Spending More Time Just ‘Being’
When
you’re stuck at home—or preparing to re-enter society—the mundaneness can
become overwhelming. The transition from a fast-paced and consumerism-focused
lifestyle to sitting at home and being resigned to household hobbies is
frustrating for many. While being socially isolated can be negative for your
psyche, there are also benefits to this forced self-reflection.
You
can spend more time on mindfulness and internal work while the outside world
battles its own demons. Learn about the benefits of meditation and focus on self-care
while you still have the time. After the world opens back up, the pace is sure
to pick up again—and you don’t want to miss an opportunity for growth.
It’s
understandable that the global pandemic has upended many people’s routines and
even life goals. Whether you choose change or it comes knocking at your door,
accepting and working with what you have is essential. And, addressing each
obstacle as a growth-inducing challenge can do wonders for your mindset and
future happiness, too.
Photo
via Rawpixel
