Wow! What a time we are in right now, huh? I think we all thought 2020 was going to be a breeze, but it’s proving to be challenging. Since about March 17th, we’ve been mandated to change how we do business. One way aisles at the grocery stores, masks when we leave the house and being told to “Stay Home” or in other words, be still. Being still is so foreign to us as Americans because our culture glorifies busyness to the extent that the idea of staying-at-home is crippling. After much meditation about how to use this time wisely all I heard was these two simple words: rest and reset.
REST
Go with me for a second. What if we (re)discovered the effectiveness that stillness can have in our lives? When we properly rest and take time for ourselves, the benefits personally, in our relationships and friendships (the list goes on and on) that ensue, can pay delicious dividends. In the quiet, we learn to have better focus and clearer thoughts. Isn’t that worth it? While everyone is rushing to get things back to normal, I’ve been heavily contemplating how I can keep/maintain some of this peace and quiet.
I don’t know about you, but my thoughts are usually racing. “When I get to the office, I’ve gotta tell so and so this” or “I’ve gotta remember to send this email to so and so” and that’s just not the case right now. This whole thing really has me reassessing how I refine my new normal in a healthier way. Hence my next term…
RESET
You know how Staples has the easy button? Well, that’s how I’m envisioning this RESET thing. Let’s hit that RESET button, ya’ll. Dictionary.com defines the term “re” as “again” or “again and again.” And the word “set” is defined as “to put something or someone” in a particular place. You see where I’m going with this? Right now you have the opportunity to get your priorities in order again. Maybe the first few months of 2020 did not pan out like you’d originally planned, but look at you now. Quarantined in your house with time to reassess what it is or how it is you’re going to get what you want. Take advantage of this as much as you possibly can.
Like you, I’ve seen the memes that suggest you don’t have to come out of this whole thing with a new skill -- I 100% agree. However, I will say that using this time to take a look at what has taken a backseat and what has taken a front seat in your life, may be worthwhile. Look for ways to continue to incorporate some of the practices that have now become part of your routine, because I guarantee you will find things that truly keep you grounded. Some of these things may include dinner and/or walks with the family, FaceTime sessions with friends or if you’re like me, picking up a book to read.
Friends, our normal is not normal and we should not be in a hurry to get back to what was never working in the first place. How we operate in the states is like the kids say these days, “That Ain’t It.” So my plea is simply this: Could we adopt parts of this experience and bring it into what will be another new normal? Yes, it will be difficult, but I don’t believe it’s impossible. Sure it will look different, but it’s attainable. Maybe it’s not HouseParty sessions every Thursday night with friends--instead you all make a plan to link up at least once a month, whether it’s virtually or in person. Maybe it’s not a walk every night with the family, but you do it at least once or twice a week. And maybe, just maybe, employers recognize that working from home ain’t so bad.
So you may be thinking, “e, what’s my call to action?” I’m so glad you asked: Identify what’s working for you now/making you feel alive and begin to think about how you might keep it as part of your routine moving forward.
Stay Strong. Be encouraged.