The beginning of 2020 felt just like a Hollywood blockbuster. All those movies we’ve watched about a virus spreading across the world, and experts scrambling to find a cure, became our reality. But there is a silver lining, if you’re willing to look for it. Life’s adversities also offer the opportunity to learn a tough but valuable lesson. Here are some of the messages that I hope we took away from this experience.

Re-evaluate Your Priorities

It’s amazing how, when we’re in a crisis, all the issues that we worry about on a daily basis suddenly become insignificant. Who cares what your mother said about you at your last family gathering, or that scratch on the car, or the fact that the colleague you hate got promoted instead of you? From now on, focus only on the people, goals, and tasks that matter to you.

Health > Wealth

I have spoken to a number of people whose investments diminished in value as a result of the economic fallout of the pandemic. Every single person said something along the lines of: “I know the economy will bounce back. It’s a bit scary, but I would be a lot more worried if I got the virus, or if someone I cared about was infected.”

Chances are, if you were sick and on a ventilator in the hospital, you were not thinking about your investments, rent, or bills. The same applies to your mental health. The lockdown was an opportunity to reassess your life. Are you truly happy? Do you feel fulfilled? Are you savoring every moment? Are you content with your relationships? Is your psychological health in good shape? If the answer to at least one of these questions is “no,” take steps to improve your mental health. Talk to a therapist or life coach.

Stop and Smell the Roses More Often

Life came to a screeching halt when the pandemic hit. We were forced to press pause and adopt a more laid-back approach to life. People used the time to renovate their homes, try new recipes, get started on their garden, and engage in family activities. We finally had time to do the things that we say we never have time for. And it was AWESOME. Don’t forget that feeling. Let it be a reminder of the importance of taking more “life breaks.”

Start Living Life to the Fullest

As I am writing this, a total of 7,010,681 people died of COVID or COVID-related complications. Every moment we have is precious, so don’t waste it on bitterness and hate. Make amends to those you have hurt, forgive those who have hurt you, stop worrying about all the things you’re worrying about, and just live in the moment, because the present moment is all we have. Do more stuff that you enjoy. Let go of the goals (and perhaps some of the relationships) that no longer bring you joy.

Learn to be More Discerning of the Information you Read Online

Take everything you hear on social media with a grain of salt. If there’s a health crisis going on, get the latest information from a reputable website, like the World Health Organization, not Twitter or TikTok. Use your critical thinking skills. Do your own research. Question everything you hear until it can be backed up by a trustworthy source.

Show More Empath Towards Extroverts and Introverts

I enjoy my time alone, I thrive on “me time”. It lets me recharge when I have been around people too long. However, I also understand that not everyone feels this way. Some extroverts become sad and melancholic when they spend too much time alone. I may not always see eye-to-eye with extroverts, but I do have a great deal of sympathy for those who struggled to cope with isolation and remote work.

Selflessness Conquers Selfishness

The image of doctors standing united in silent protest, in response to people who wanted to end the lockdown so that they can get a haircut, is an image I will carry in my mind forever. People on the front-line were the unsung heroes. Most importantly, they taught us all a valuable lesson: That the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

Insightfully yours,

Queen D