As lives and schedules begin to return to “normal” over the next few months, I’ve heard from several who are asking, “Do we want to return to what we were doing before we were forced to slow down?” For many, the answer is a huge NO. But if we’re not intentional enough to stop and reflect and then create a plan, in a very short time, we will find ourselves back in the same rat race. So what lessons can we take from this recent mandatory quarantine as we move into the future?
Lesson #1: Slowing Down is Not a Bad Thing
Many times over the last few months, I found myself ever-so-grateful that this quarantine took place in 2020 and not 10 or 15 years ago when my children were at home and in the middle of school and every kind of activity. For me, life did not change much other than seeing my family less in the beginning and date nights became date drives as there was no where else to go. But I observed those with children at home freaking out over how to keep their kids occupied and taking up their schooling in addition to the rest of their responsibilities. I would have definitely been right there freaking with you!
But I also remember just how stinkin’ tired I was of the go, go, go. I think I would have enjoyed all the cancelled activities with a chance to stay home and enjoy time doing some different things than there was ever time to do. Many have expressed to me that they are re-evaluating the numerous activities their kids were involved in … as well as the number of activities in which they themselves participated.
Are all of them necessary? They are good, but are they best? What are we missing out on by being together at home so little? Which activities fill us up vs. drain us? They are all good questions to ask before the urgent takes precedence over the important.
Lesson #2: Evaluate What’s Important
Maybe this would be a good time for a little journaling to reflect on what is important for you and for your family. Think about the goals and dreams you have for yourselves and ask the hard questions to determine if your daily lives are reflecting those. If not, it could be time to make adjustments.
Some of those reflections may even be in the area of what goes on in your head – your own self-talk. Are you finding that you’re able to be more gracious and forgiving with yourself and others? In being more isolated, have you found that voices of negativity are decreasing as you limit the outside interference into your life. I’ve heard from some that as they have been away from negativity at work or other places, they have found they are able to change their self-talk and view themselves less critically.
Lesson #3: Recognize More Options
We have all learned during this time that there is more than one way to do something. Creativity and forging new ways are being seen in every area of life. Before, we went to work, school, and played in the same ways we have done for decades. But now, we have learned there are other ways to do our jobs, teach our children, keep ourselves entertained, and even eating habits have changed as we have been forced to stay home more. Have any of these options been eye-opening in a way that it is making you re-think that area of life? It could be time for some long-lasting changes.
Lesson #4: Hold On Tight AND Loose
Your reflection may show you areas of life you want to hold on to tighter … relationships with parents or grandparents--once you were unable to spend time together you recognized just how quickly time is passing. There will be a time when they are gone that it will not be just a temporary separation. Time with your children in fun activities – cooking or baking together, playing table games or playing in the backyard, reading books together. Things that time will steal away from you in the future as they grow up and move out. What things have you realized you need to hold on to tighter?
Perhaps you’ve been holding on to some things too tightly, and now it is time to let them go. Unhealthy friendships? Obsessions over what other people think of you? Too much Netflix and not enough reading? What are some things you it may be time to kick to the curb?
Lesson #5: We Cannot Control the Future
Possibly the biggest lesson from this quarantine is that we do not know what the next season (or day or hour) of life will bring, and for the most part we certainly have no control over it. I have many friends who had a tough 2019 and could not wait for a fresh new year in 2020. I’m thinking last year may not look as bad now? This current year is shaping up to go down in America’s history as one with more impossibilities becoming realities than any other year in our short past. So what do we do with that?
There is only one thing we can do – trust and rely on the One who is in control of all things. Even as we are continually being hit from many directions with very real and scary events, we can focus our eyes on our Heavenly Father and remember that nothing takes Him by surprise. Since He is allowing it, He will also help us to get through it. And better than that, help us to grow and mature in ways that we wouldn’t without the uncertainties of today. We will not be crushed, driven to despair or destroyed – He will always be with us (2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 16-18).
So how about you? What lessons have you learned from this quarantine? Or what thoughts has this post brought to mind that you now want to take some time for reflection? I would love to hear about it!
