In retrospect, one begins to wonder why it had to take a virus to make the world stop, slow down and contemplate on what we value most in life. We have been forced to face a blank wall in dismay over what was taken away from us — our normal, everyday lives. Above all, the freedom to live it. Entering the recovery stage, we are awakening from this uneasy slumber as we prepare ourselves to take on much more simply because we have this inherent drive to catch up on things that matter and make up for lost time. Once again, we find ourselves in a state of hurry.
The rest of the world finds itself in the midst of not just the digital but also the discovery age. Let’s take a look.
- Going virtual. There is a proliferation of self-help guides on health, first aid, nutrition, cooking, decluttering, meditation, exercises of all kinds. A new instructional app is just a click away. All one has to do is to browse away. More importantly, your doctor is available for tele-consult. This saves time and money.
- Work from home or hybrid work is the new norm. This is exerting a major influence in the way the workforce prefers to be productive.
- Mental health. Anxiety disorders and depression have had a marked increase worldwide as a result of too much connectedness and too little interpersonal connections. The message here is to encourage ourselves to interact more often on a face to face basis instead of relying on virtual connections. Studies have shown that virtual connectedness cannot replace the old-fashioned human association. A healthy social life leads to a healthier life and a more balanced one — emotionally and mentally.
- Health is essential. It is a must-have and a must-do. Wellness is now in the forefront of people’s consciousness. It was once a trend that people talked about. Today, wellness is how we live and what we do every day. It involves our every conscious choice and deliberate action.
- Going easy. Even popular workouts are no longer as intense or tough on the body. People’s preferred regimens are moderate, not hard-core. What we have learned is to be kinder to our bodies in a gentler way.
- Value vacations. Just about everyone is into travel and discovery whether it is to some far-flung place on the Bucket List or just a stone’s throw away from one’s home. Stepping out is now a favorite pastime.
- Family is everything. Imposed isolation in the past has caused us to reach out to our loved ones with more passion. The lack of family togetherness and the inability to be together then has impacted on our family relationships in dramatic ways. Today, family reunions are all the more valued and appreciated.
- Introspection. In the turmoil caused by the confusion of isolation, we have been taught to become more introspective. We ask ourselves the “why” and the “who am I” question with the sincere intention to become more productive and relevant to oneself and others.
- Revenge fever. In a catching up kind of feverish pace, people wish to make up for lost time, lost friendships, lost loves. Embracing life is on the agenda whether it is through partying, reunions, travel or events.
10.Living in the now. While this deserves an entire column, suffice it to say that yes, today matters the most. Cherish it. And count the joys it can bring you.
Affirmation: “My glory days have begun.”
Love and light.