To say the least, 2020 was a strange and chaotic year for us all. With the COVID-19 pandemic at the forefront of great challenges and change in our social, political, and economic systems, many of us were forced into an unfamiliar and unpredictable world wrought with fear of what’s to come, grief at what was lost, and uncertainty about how to navigate it all.
Chaos is ALWAYS unpredictable and uncomfortable. It often leaves us feeling lost in the stormy seas of uncertainty as we swim with all our might just to stay afloat. While often seen as something terrifying and to be avoided at all costs, chaos serves a very critical purpose in the universe. Chaos is THE agent of change. Chaos is the force that destroys systems and beliefs that no longer serve us, enriching the soil for personal growth and transformation to spring forth. The possibilities and potentialities of change would cease to exist without a little bit of chaos sprinkled in the mix.
I don’t know about you, but the chaos from the COVID-19 pandemic launched me out of my comfort zone to teach me several valuable lessons I will carry throughout my lifetime.
Lesson 1: Invest in building meaningful relationships and a strong social network
The most unforgettable part of the COVID-19 pandemic were the local lock downs of businesses and public spaces which caused the dissolution of essential communities, venues, and social activities. As a result, people felt a profound loss in their sense of belonging and social support system, causing many to feel depressed, anxious, and lonely as they struggled to maintain their relationships.
But what makes or breaks people during challenging times is the strength and depth of their social network. You just never know when you’re going to find yourself in a sticky situation and needing backup. Sometimes the smallest acts such as lending a listening ear, inviting someone over for dinner, remembering someone’s birthday, or giving them honest feedback goes a long way in growing a well-rooted social network. It’s great knowing you have people in your corner that you can rely on when things become strenuous and troublesome. Having good friends and family make any adverse situation easier to endure.
Lesson 2: Take good care of your body. You’re gonna need it.
COVID-19 frightened inspired a lot of people into taking a serious look at their physical health to assess how well (or unwell) they are treating their body. People around the world became more collectively motivated to make major changes in their lifestyle to promote a stronger immune system, boost their vitality, and nourish their body than ever before. Despite gyms being closed for most of the pandemic, many people got very creative formulating their own solutions to personal health and wellness.
I too ventured out to be more proactive about my diet and exercise, using different somatic therapies, and practicing more natural ways to nurture and take care of my body. I’ve always attributed the body to being similar to a car. If I want my body to run well and last long time, I need to be more mindful of what I’m putting into my body, maintain it well, and commit to a lifestyle of health and wellness. If I want to live a happy and healthy life, I start with a happy and healthy body.
Lesson 3: The need for more direct and honest communication in our relationships.
The lock downs caused couples, families, and roommates to spend a LOT more time together! For some, it was a great opportunity to connect with their partner, interact more with their children, and hang out with their friends. But for many, it was a time where problems and resentments buried deep within a relationship started to explode and become unavoidable.
This is because people avoided direct and open conversations with others when experiencing problems in their relationships. As unacknowledged and unexpressed resentments, anxieties, and needs fester the disease of disconnection, the relationship gradually becomes sick and damaged; often withering away love, trust, and attachment.
You can have an uncomfortable conversation now, and aspire to live a comfortable life later. Or you can have a comfortable conversation now, and keep living an uncomfortable life later.
Lesson 4: Adaptability, resiliency, and resourcefulness are the keys to surviving and thriving.
Human history is wrought with chaos and calamity – wars, natural disasters, disease, famine – that disturbs our lives, threatens our liberties, and disrupts our plans. What has allowed humans to survive extreme circumstances is our innate ability to be adaptable, resourceful, and resilient.
COVID-19 unquestionably turned our world upside down and tested our adaptability, resourcefulness, and resiliency with little warning or preparation. How many people do you know panicked because they ran out of toilet paper, while others bought an unnecessary amount of it? We had to adapt our work and education to fit global challenges, pull together our resources to put food on the table, and stay flexible despite strain in our relationships.
The pandemic showed us the value of preparedness and taught us how to be more resourceful and resilient despite our present circumstances. Learning how to be “Gumby-like” by adapting to radical changes now only allows us to better navigate the raging waters of life, but gives us the opportunity to grow and flourish from them.
Lesson 5: Gratitude. Gratitude. More Gratitude.
It’s easy to become fixated on what we DON’T have or what we perceive to be lacking in our lives. We chase things we don’t have, and constantly find ourselves frustrated by our shortcomings and inadequacies. Personally, I’ve found this mindset causes more anguish and suffering than happiness and contentment. A moment of gratitude melts all of those “what if’s” and “have not’s” away, filling the cup of “never enough” with a genuine sense of love, appreciation, and kindness.
It took a global pandemic for me (and many others) to genuinely appreciate the good things present in my life. Sometimes it takes a little bit of darkness to help us recognize how much light there truly is in this world.
Looking back through this whole pandemic experience to reflect on the little things that not only made the 2020 more bearable, but gave me a sense of hope and inspiration. I appreciate my great friends and a supportive family. I’m grateful to still be able to work. I’m thankful for being able to pay my bills and put food in my belly. I treasure having good health, spending quality time with people I love, and still able to make progress in my life goals.
While the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 was a rough year for many, I found it to be a treasured teacher. I was tested in many different ways, forced into new and often uncomfortable experiences, and learned many valuable life lessons to take with me along my journey through this crazy thing called “life”.
What were some lessons the COVID-19 pandemic taught you? How do you grow from this experience? How are you going to keep learning and growing in 2021?
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