Your Post-Pandemic New-Normal
March 15, 2021
Over the past 52 weeks, we adapted and adjusted our lives because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our everyday normal became an ever-changing new-normal, with new routines and shifting interests, priorities, and relationships. We've worked through feelings of uncertainty, loss, illness, and anxiety and figured out how to remain connected with our family, friends, and colleagues whom we couldn't see without being six-feet apart or through a screen.
With herd immunity on the horizon, now is an ideal time to consider how you want to welcome the new - and hopefully long-lasting - normal. Reflect upon your experiences during this difficult year and move forward with a positive outlook and brighter future.
Consider the following questions about the pandemic – the before, during, and after:
1. Life before the pandemic:
Were you over scheduled with work meetings, kids' activities, and social engagements?
Were you on auto-pilot - agreeing to commitments without first considering whether or not you wanted to participate?
Did you strive for an emotionally healthier work-life balance?
What did you want to be doing that you couldn't figure out how to incorporate into your daily life?
2. Life during the pandemic:
What changes have impacted you the most (positive and negative)?
How have these changes served you?
Have your priorities shifted? If yes, how?
Has your professional focus shifted? If yes, how?
Do you practice self-care?
3. Life after the pandemic:
What haven't you done since last March that you want to resume?
What are you doing now that you want to continue?
What do you never want to be doing again?
What do you want to be doing that you've never before done?
As you go through this exercise, think about how your priorities and boundaries have changed or evolved over the past year. Consider how they will influence the choices you'll be making about your personal and professional life moving forward too.
Priorities are:
Your responsibilities listed in order of importance
The people and things most important to you
Useful information when making decisions
Boundaries are:
The things you are willing and not willing to do
Helpful during the decision-making process
Aligned with your priorities
The past year has been like no other, and may we never experience another one like it again. From the COVID-19 pandemic come opportunities for personal reflection, growth, and change. Begin planning now for the changes you want for yourself and be ready to live your best life in what will be your post-pandemic new-normal.