January 12, 2022 – The New Year has thrown us an immediate curveball with the marked spread of the Omicron variant. I know many families and friends who have tested positive but, thankfully, are experiencing minor side effects or are asymptomatic. However, the rapid pace of transmissions is very problematic. We continue to live under the blanket of uncertainty, wondering about our health and the health of others as well as the ever-changing rules and guidance by those competent in these matters. As we approach the two-year mark of our first hearing of Covid, it is still ambiguous about what will be considered “normal” as we progress through life. The “sandwich generation,” with children and aging parents, is being tested like never before. They face ever-changing school schedules, immune-compromised relatives, and governmental or employer mandates that can alter daily work/life patterns with little warning.
To navigate these times, here are some classic stress-busting techniques: 1) take a break from the news/social media cycle, 2) take care of your body (sleeping, eating healthy, exercising), 3) make time to unwind, and 4) connect with others. While changing what you do will help, consider also changing how you think. Don’t let your thinking, reading, watching, conversing be consumed with this pandemic. Be positive. Our dark cloud is sure to have a “silver lining.” Given the radical change forced on our society affecting what, how, and when we do almost everything, it is improbable that something good did not come out of this experience. If true to yourself, I would venture to say that maybe there are a few changes that you wish would “change back” once past this crisis. I call these “positivities.”
Here are a few of the “positivities” that I have taken away from this pandemic:
Family & Friends:
The frequency and way we connect with those around us have changed radically. The quality of the relationships has also strengthened. With the immediate family, the change has been remarkable. Initially, it was the ability to eat dinner as a family catching up on the day’s events. Now rising together and collaborating on an early morning meal creates bonds. With the advent of video chat, long-distance no longer was an obstacle to “pop in” for a quick chat. Reunions were avoided in person, as were birthday parties, holiday events, bridal showers, and bingo. I have attended virtual parties, card games, doctor appointments, grab bags, to name a few new contact points. Frequent Zoom calls with friends have strengthened relationships that I was perilously close to losing.
Work/Life Balance:
Working from home has provided some of us the opportunity to exist in an environment that permits easier choices on allocating our time. It has blurred some of the lines between work & life, making it easier to balance, and dispelled some myths held by employers about the requirement to be present at an office or visit clients in person. Less oversight is required, promoting more independent thinking, added productivity, and many learning experiences. It made you better at what you do or challenged you to do better at something else. If you do not feel this way, reflect on the past two years and identify the work/life positivities. Verbalize them, document them, and add them to your resume.
Culture & Community:
I have some offsetting observations about the sense of community in the country. On the one hand, today’s media channels have many conclude that we live in the most divisive time in American history. Historians tell us that we are not even close to the discourse exhibited before the Civil War. However, consensus says that while we might be a distant second, this divisiveness extends deeply into the American public, not just the politicians.
However, the stories of people going above and beyond to help others routinely make their rounds in conversation. The self-less care provided by front-line workers is unprecedented. Empathetic listening is on the rise, as is genuine interest in volunteering time with those less fortunate. The pandemic has made us “stop and smell the flowers.” Many unfortunately have lost loved ones and, in the early days, without a chance to say goodbye. The latest average longevity statistic in the US has been reduced by two years due to the pandemic! We have realized our life is precious through this adversity, and we should make every moment count.
“Positivities” are a crucial part of our lives, as they are the experiences and outcomes that bring you joy and happiness. In my article “Be Optimistic, Achieve Optimal,” I discuss why optimistic people often live a more optimal life. Look hard for the “positivities” in your life; they are worth the effort!