STARTING POINT. EVERYTHING CHANGED. NEXT STEP.
It all started on March 13th. To be exact, it was Friday the 13th. Since I was born on March 13th, it is a lucky number for me. But who would have thought that everything would change on Friday, March 13, 2020.
The pandemic changed everything. Social contacts were minimized – professionally and privately. The life we knew was canceled from one day to another. And the question that everybody always asked was: what happens next?
The first weeks were intangible. It was a one of the rarely experiences in life. Soon it will be a year since it all started and I still wonder: what’s next? But before I try to answer this question, I have to make a status quo about my life.
Every situation has a good and a bad side. It is usually easier to talk about the bad things first. At this point, however, I would like to focus on the positive things. Since the number 3 is one of my favorite numbers, I list my three positives findings from the pandemic:
WORK IS NOT EVERYTHING IN LIFE. I work in an environment, where I deal with a lot of people. My life was characterized by mails, calls, customer appointments and events. As much as I enjoyed the fast pace of life, there were often moments when I longed for peace and quiet.
Afraid of missing something, I was constantly on the pulse and it was slowly eating me up. The pandemic allowed me to calm down and in some way I was forced to take time for myself. Even though the pandemic is not yet over, looking back I can say that the time-off was a blessing. I was reminded that work is not everything in life. The overall situation allowed me to rediscover myself. Because when do you really have time to rediscover yourself? If you are honest, most people have never really taken time for themselves. Do you? I didn´t.
COMMUNICATION CAN BECOME A DISADVANTAGE. When people ask: “Can you describe Joy?”, they often come up with the following: joyful, open person, loves to communicate. And I have to admit, it´s quite right. For around 350 days of the year, I guess I am 🙂
But what happens when a person’s openness is exploited? What if the openness is used against you?
Regardless of the fact that I studied communication, I always found it is important to communicate in an open and appreciative way. I generally support women – especially in the professional environment – to communicate, if someone has to say something. As much as I try to still believe in that idea, in 2020, I unfortunately experienced that honest conversations can be also a disadvantage.
TIME TO REDISCOVER MYSELF WAS A SALVATION. In an ironic way, the pandemic saved me. I have rediscovered my old hobbies: reading, writing, playing the piano, to be creative in crafting or similar things. All these things gave me the opportunity to find peace within myself, to focus on the essential things in life and to see things more clearly. The time I gained should be used for more important things in life.
Based on the findings of the last few months, my resolution for the year is: It´s time for the important things in life. Time for joy. Things that matters in life!
In detail, here are my 10 things that are relevant for me. Maybe they will give you some inspiration 🙂
Quality Time with Family and Friends – Even if there are regulations that say you should not meet, you can communicate in other ways like Zoom, Skype or meet for a walk 🙂
Do not work more than necessary – For those who know me, know that I love to work. But after so many years, based on my experience, I can say that there is no use in exhausting yourself. Not for anyone, unless it’s your own business. As sad as it sounds, the truth is no one will thank you.
More time for reading – Especially at times like these, when it’s difficult to travel, a good book is a nice alternative. It doesn’t replace a trip, of course, but it’s an easy and also fast way to be somewhere else, at least mentally.
More time for writing – Being exposed to constant communication makes you tired. The brain has no time to process the flood of information. Writing helps to counteract this. Be it a diary or similar – it helps to „empty“ oneself.
More time for music – I played the piano consistently and intensively for almost 20 years. I really want to play at the same level as I did ten years ago. It takes a lot of work, but the feeling of having created something is always a good feeling. Maybe you can learn a new instrument? It´s never too late 🙂
Time for dancing – Oh my god! I really miss a good party with dancing. Since it will be a while before you can visit a club again, it helps sometimes to just turn up the music loud and dance to it.
Time for Movies & Series – Yes, you read that right. I want to consciously watch more movies. After traveling is currently not possible or under very difficult circumstances, besides reading, watching a movie is an easy way to dive into another world.
Time to redecorate home – Some say “How someone lives, shows a person character.” I truly believe that. An apartment says a lot about a person. After I redefined myself again, I surely will redecorate my home with one or the other deco objects. Small things can make a big difference.
Time to clean out cloths – “Breakups” are always difficult, but cleaning out old clothes helps sometimes to feel better 🙂
Last but not least – Do everything with joy and love!
Picture © Joy Domingo
