The past four months have felt like nothing short of a science fiction movie. I live in New York, where at one point was considered the epicenter of the pandemic. We were under strict quarantine orders, and almost everything was shut down. A few months ago, there were thousands of new cases, and hundreds of deaths reported each day. Hospitals were so overcrowded that if someone called an ambulance to be taken to the emergency room, they were out of luck; there wasn’t anywhere to take them.
Although we have come a long way since April, this pandemic is far from over. People are still contracting the virus. Others have lost loved ones. Countless people have been laid off and are still struggling to find employment. Some establishments have closed for good. We still have to wear masks in public to keep from getting infected. Certain parts of the nation that once reported low numbers of Coronavirus cases have now increased at alarming rates. The future continues to be uncertain.
Never in a million years did I ever think that I would ever experience a global pandemic. To say that it has been a disaster is an understatement. Even though this is a difficult time for many of us, usually, the most valuable lessons come from adversities, and I learned so much during the pandemic about myself and others as well.
18 Things I Learned During The Pandemic
Table of Contents
- 1 18 Things I Learned During The Pandemic
- 1.1 1. Essential and frontline workers are our heroes.
- 1.2 2. Spend more time with family.
- 1.3 3. The pandemic taught me that slowing down is essential.
- 1.4 4. Taking care of yourself is crucial.
- 1.5 5. The pandemic showed us that we must learn to adapt.
- 1.6 6. Never take anything for granted.
- 1.7 7. Health is everything.
- 1.8 8. Realize what is important.
- 1.9 9. We must embrace change.
- 1.10 10. Life is so much easier without having to commute.
- 1.11 11. The pandemic showed me that connecting with others is important.
- 1.12 12. Having time to yourself is golden.
- 1.13 13. The pandemic showed us that a crisis can bring out the best in people.
- 1.14 14. A crisis can also bring out the worst in people.
- 1.15 15. The pandemic showed me that life is uncertain.
- 1.16 16. The pandemic taught me that a little gratitude goes a long way.
- 1.17 17. Let go of things we can’t control.
- 1.18 18. This too, shall pass.
- 1.19 Share this:
- 1.20 Like this:
1. Essential and frontline workers are our heroes.
Actually, they always have been, but unfortunately, it took a global pandemic for many of us to realize that. I know that I am not alone in being in complete and total gratitude for all of those who continued to go to work while the rest of us stayed home. To all the nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals who have worked endlessly while putting your own health and lives in jeopardy, we salute you.
Thank you to all the delivery drivers, grocery store employees, pharmacies, and postal workers for getting us our food, mail, and other essentials. To the transit workers and taxi drivers, thank you for getting us to our destinations. For all other essential and frontline workers, thanks. You are all the lifeline of this catastrophe that we are currently experiencing. We are humbled by your courage and your willingness to provide service while risking your safety and well-being. You are appreciated.
2. Spend more time with family.
This was definitely one of the best things that came out of being in quarantine for me. When you spend most of your days commuting, and working full time, quality time with your families is somehow limited.
Before the pandemic, I barely saw my daughter. She worked from sunup to sundown, so when she started working from home, we spent more time with each other. My daughter has her own business, and I know that she works very hard, and I got to see first hand how much work and effort it entails to keep everything running smoothly.
3. The pandemic taught me that slowing down is essential.
Life for many of us was nothing short of hectic before the world shut down. Instead of our regular routines, we were now confined to our homes. Mass transit ridership was reduced drastically, and the roads were practically empty. People didn’t come outside unless it was for essentials.
No one wants to be forced to stay inside, and that’s understandable. But you have to admit it; we needed to slow down. Some of us were on the verge of burning out because of our fast-paced lifestyles. Being on lock-down gives us the chance to get some rest and recharge.
While being in quarantine, I learned to appreciate the small things in life, like the birds that would serenade us all day. I also felt more relaxed, because I felt like I could fully experience each day as opposed to feeling like I was in some form of a rat race.
4. Taking care of yourself is crucial.
Self-care is something we should practice regularly, and during trying times is when we need it most. We won’t be any good to anyone else unless we take care of ourselves. So we have to make it our business to get enough rest, healthy foods, and exercise. Even though the spas shut down, we could still pamper ourselves by applying face masks or trying a fragrant body scrub. Meditation can also help with keeping you balanced and promotes mental strength.
Related: Self -Care Defined: What Is Self-Care and Why Is It Important?
5. The pandemic showed us that we must learn to adapt.
In order to survive, you have to be able to adapt to your surroundings. When the stay at home order was enforced, restaurants had to resort to accepting take-out orders only. Many people worked from home when their brick and mortar offices shut down. Students and teachers had to adjust to remote learning. Also, when the grocery stores ran out of essentials, we had to use alternatives such as ordering from Amazon. Instead of going to the mall to get clothes, we ordered them online. When the hair salons and barbershops closed, we had to get used to styling our own hair. We had to exercise at home or take a walk or jog when the gyms shut down.
6. Never take anything for granted.
It is amazing how we never appreciate the little things until we no longer have them. Last year, we had the liberty of going to the movies or to a concert and assumed that we would always have the ability to do so. Last summer, I went to an amazing day party with my sister and friend. We enjoyed ourselves so much we planned to go again this year. However, due to COVID and social distancing concerns, the affair was canceled this year. Now we don’t know if there will ever be events with large gatherings again.
7. Health is everything.
Before COVID wreaked havoc on our lives, many of us weren’t as vigilant about our health as we should be. Now we are more cautious and doing everything we can to preserve it. We are more mindful of our eating habits, wearing masks, taking vitamins, practicing social distancing, and washing our hands.
When the first Coronavirus case hit the nation, it didn’t seem to raise too many concerns. Most of the symptoms are similar to the common cold or allergies, so some people went ahead with their regular routines. Once we saw the numbers escalate and realized how life-threatening the virus could be, we learned not to take our ailments lightly. It is better to be safe than sorry.
We must also remember to protect our mental health as well. All aspects of health are connected, so if one part is ignored, the other areas are also affected.
Related: How To Start A Healthy Lifestyle This Year
8. Realize what is important.
Prior to the pandemic, many of us were preoccupied with things that were trivial and contributed nothing to our growth or well-being. However, when there is a virus that’s causing a global crisis, you learn that you need to rethink your priorities. Watching someone get sick only to never fully recover or losing a loved one and not being able to say goodbye are truly humbling experiences.
9. We must embrace change.
Change is inevitable; it is a natural part of life. Unfortunately, many of us are reluctant to embrace it. It can be scary, but sometimes change is a good thing and has many positive outcomes, such as enhancing our lives or opening the door to new opportunities. However, there are times when change doesn’t feel so great, like this pandemic. If we look at it from a different perspective, we can learn and grow from accepting change.
10. Life is so much easier without having to commute.
This is one of the best things about being in quarantine. In New York, the commute can sometimes be the most stressful part of the day. The subways and buses can get crowded and even get delayed. If you travel after a certain time or on weekends, the trains either don’t run as often, or they stop altogether. You then have to find alternatives that can end up with you having to take three trains when you generally need only one. Driving can be just as bad. Traffic is crazy during rush hour, and a trip that would usually take 30 minutes can easily end up being over an hour.
Not having to commute makes a huge difference in my day. Of course, I get to sleep later. Also, I have more time to myself in the mornings. I took this opportunity to delve deeper into my meditation practice and started working out. In the evenings, I can now prepare my dinner much earlier as opposed to doing it after spending an hour plus commuting. Some of my family and friends have also expressed that they prefer to work from home and do not miss public transportation.
11. The pandemic showed me that connecting with others is important.
I’ll be totally honest, I had no problems with the stay at home order. As someone who is a homebody and introverted, I have been socially distancing long before it was a “thing.” Although I could go for a long time without socializing, I still try to reach out to loved ones, and I have to admit it feels good to talk to them.
12. Having time to yourself is golden.
We usually spend most of our time surrounded by others. Although some crave constant social interaction, having some time to yourself is essential for growth. Being alone is the perfect time to do some self-reflection and self-discovery.
Use this opportunity to get reacquainted with old hobbies or discover some new ones. You can also read that book you’ve been putting off or catch up on some TV shows you usually would not have time to watch. Cultivate your inner chef by trying some new recipes. The possibilities are endless! You may even realize that you enjoy spending time alone as much as you like to socialize.
13. The pandemic showed us that a crisis can bring out the best in people.
Even during a disaster, the good in people shined through. Most places of business had special hours for the elderly and the immunocompromised. Many donated to COVID relief funds and food banks. When medical equipment ran low, the fashion and beauty industry stepped up and designed masks. Automobile manufacturers made respirators. People helped each other by sharing supplies, running errands for the elderly, and checking in on those who lived alone. Also, many animals were adopted from shelters.
There was even some positivity on social media. Many people shared words of encouragement, and celebrities treated us to virtual entertainment. Let’s not forget the protests against police brutality and racism. People across the nation and around the globe risked their health and safety to support the Black Lives Matter movement.
14. A crisis can also bring out the worst in people.
Just how the pandemic brought out the best in people, it also revealed the worst. We saw how selfish some people became when they brought all of the toilet paper, hand sanitizers, and disinfectants. Others used the pandemic for personal gain by selling essentials at ridiculously high prices out of greed. Then there those who were inconsiderate and chose not to wear masks.
In the middle of this catastrophe, we witnessed multiple traumatic events due to racism, police brutality, and white supremacy. We watched entitled individuals use their privileges to cause harm against others. We also saw the true colors of some public figures when they expressed how they felt about critical issues that plague our nation.
15. The pandemic showed me that life is uncertain.
Life is unpredictable, and we never know what the future holds. Things can happen when you least expect it, and life does not always go as planned. My family and I were supposed to go to Australia next year for my cousin’s wedding, but because of the pandemic, international travel isn’t expected to return until 2024. While it is okay to make plans for the future, we must remember that nothing is guaranteed. Also, God may have something different in store for us.
16. The pandemic taught me that a little gratitude goes a long way.
Gratitude is something we should practice regularly, but it is even more important to do so when times are tough. While it’s so easy to dwell on what we don’t have or on our losses when we’re distressed, being grateful teaches us to look at things from a different perspective. It can also help us get through trying situations, manage our emotions, and enhance our overall wellness.
Start with appreciating the little things, and that will lead you to recognize the even bigger blessings you have in your life. Remember that each day given to us is a gift and that in itself is something to be thankful for.
Related: 52 Reasons I Am Thankful
17. Let go of things we can’t control.
Anything you can’t control in life is teaching you how to let go – Unknown
My biggest challenge throughout this ordeal was learning how to let go. We have no control over the virus, and we do not know when the pandemic will be over. The only thing we can do is leave it is in God’s hands, use preventative measures to stay safe and healthy, and hope for the best.
18. This too, shall pass.
Difficult times are temporary, and the pandemic is no different. Soon it will all be over; we just have to be patient and have faith that everything will work out in the end. Years later, we will look back and realize how strong we were and that we can get through anything.
Hopefully, as you go through this list, you found something that resonates with you, or maybe you learned something new. Either way, I pray that whoever is reading this is doing well physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. I also hope you are staying safe.
What lessons have you learned during the pandemic? I would love to hear them in the comments.
Thank you for reading.
Yours Truly,
Tracy
