Brave New World

Are you stir-crazy yet? Have you spent the morning asking yourself if the danger is still as real and dangerous as it was 3 weeks ago?

If you’re anything like me and the rest of the world I’ll venture to say “yes”.

But don’t do it.

#1 –
You’ll be endangering yourself, your family and potentially nice folks who don’t even know you. Their immune system is simply not as strong as yours. Or maybe it is. But, they’ll take the virus you’ve shared home where they have an infant. Or an ailing family member. Remember, many of us will never show symptoms but will be infected and able to pass on the virus. In time we will learn more about this virus and how to deal with it while having something resembling a normal life. That time is not now.

#2 –
Redefine your idea of “normal life”. As Dorothy said, “We’re not in Kansas anymore”. The world we used to live in is gone forever. We can mourn it. We can grumble and ask why it had to go. But we will never bring it back completely. Our world is undergoing a major change and we must change along with it to survive.

#3 –
Survive? It’s not that bad … is it? Yes. Yes it is. At least it should be considered that bad so we don’t experience a second, then third (and on and on) wave of this virus in a mutated form. But survive we will and that’ll be a credit to our resilience, adaptability, and just the sheer numbers of us.

Let’s look at the bright side …

• The price of gas is down.
• The air is clear again.
• I’m guessing the waters will eventually clean up too.
• We’re learning a new way to conduct business. Virtually when appropriate.
• We’re getting a much-needed appreciation for our essential service workers. Guess what, they’re not the millionaires or CEOs … they’re the front line shop workers, nurses, doctors, sanitation workers, utility workers to name a few. You know, folks that actually DO stuff.
• We’re learning to entertain ourselves.
• Children are spending much more time with their families. And learning vital skills like cooking, baking, art. 
• Husbands and wives are learning how to tolerate each other on a 24/7 basis and enjoy it.
• We’re saving money on transportation, clothing, travel.

Now, my lists are by no means complete. There are exceptions to each line noted above. I understand that. There ARE reasons to stay in and there ARE silver-linings to the situation.

Here’s the most important part of this message … create your new you for the future world now. Don’t try to fit into your old self. Who you used to be. Yes yes, I know that persona was very comfy and you liked it. Even if you didn’t like it (people always let me know there are parts of their life they’d like to change), you knew it. But, don’t be afraid to let it go.

We are now entering into a time that is made for reinventing ourselves. And our world around us. People who do this intentionally are the ones who will be ahead of the game.

We could be required to continue self-isolating until the summer. What will you do with that time? How will you come out of it on the other side?

Some ideas –

• If you don’t already, start journaling. Whatever version of writing to yourself works for you is fine. A journal can be a scrapbook, a scribbler, your computer, a voice recorder, a video. Pick one.
• Learn a new skill. Or get better at one you have been tinkering with. There are LOTS of YouTube videos ready to teach all sorts of things.
• You can teach others a skill you have. Share your expertise via videos. 
• Examine your daily routine. What would you like to change, add, remove, increase, decrease? Think about how you can do this and not go crazy … 
• Most importantly, be kind to yourself. But don’t allow yourself to settle into drifting through the days doing nothing to arrive at your goals. If you eat a bit too much one day claim it. Hopefully you enjoyed whatever it was you ate/drank but get back onto the regime you’ve set out for yourself. No guilt trips, those just lead to a pity party and most times a return to the bad behaviour.
• Remember to keep your focus moving forward.

(Shameless plug) – I help folks crystalize their desired realities. To clarify what you want and determine a strategy made by you for you that will achieve those goals. Don’t waste this precious time with frustration and Netflix (okay, a bit of Netflix). Let’s have a chat to decide if working together is a good fit. If not, no problem. We will simply have a lovely chat and carry on. But if yes, you can start your metamorphosis.  Text me here (wherever you’re reading this there should be a link) and we can set up our chat.