Why You Should Use Covid-19 as an Opportunity to Reassess Your Priorities

This article was originally published in Sunday.Onl

In case you haven’t noticed, we’re in the middle of a global pandemic. It’s all that anybody is talking about right now, and for good reason. For likely the second time in our adult lives, life has seemingly been put on pause.

The conversation around coronavirus is overwhelmingly negative. Tales of fear and death haunt our tv screens and social media feeds, but it doesn’t have to be this way. You don’t have to live your life in a state of flux, waiting for things to return to normal. You can simultaneously mourn for the futures many have lost or had to put on hold while taking control of your situation and using this precious time as a chance to reset.

One of the benefits of isolation are the moments of stillness it brings. Once the sadness and the shock have faded away, we’re presented with the stark reality of facing our priorities head-on. What tops your list of priorities? Are there things you used to hold close that you would be embarrassed to admit now that there’s something bigger at play?

Things we once took for granted immediately present themselves as something we should now always cherish. Plans that we would have once turned down are moments we’re mulling over in our minds. It’s easy to see what you want and yearn for now that they are a memory, but things will return to normal at some point, be it slowly, and achingly so.

The speed and force that some move through life with means that the time many people now have on their hands will probably feel alien. So many individuals fill their silences and spaces with the laughter and chatter of others – uncomfortable with their own company perhaps, or feeling like they have to say yes to things they may not necessarily want to.

The necessity to say yes has now been removed. Another notch towards knocking down that impending fear of missing out that so many young people feel. Now it’s just you. Maybe a couple of housemates, or a partner, but it’s primarily you.

You and your thoughts now have to become the best of friends, you’re with each other much more than usual and this is your chance to align on goals, ideas and priorities. Think about the things you miss most. It could be family, freedom, and connection. It could be intimacy, friendship, or the outdoors. Those things that now stand out to each of us as essentials. Things we crave as humans, and things that make us, us.

Spend some time, aligning your thoughts, and shed light on things that are not bringing you joy; things you’d like to leave in times gone by. Not bringing the negativity of those things or people into the days we’re all looking forward to.

Think of things you want to get rid of. Here are some of our suggestions. Negativity we’re shedding like a skin, and not letting anywhere near our futures.

FOMO

Fear of missing out is one thing that should truly be left behind. It serves no purpose but to bring about feelings of guilt when you say no to something. Saying no is healthy. Saying no means you have boundaries. They may be in place to protect your mental health, you might be trying to kick a bad habit – like alcohol, or you might simply want to spend time with your family or other friends.

It’s ok to say no, and moving forward you should try not to feel guilty for it. You should enjoy your nights in, or your nights with your nan, or your nights on Sims. You’re not boring for having boundaries or enjoying your own company, you’re just growing.

Consumerism

It’s hard not to want what other people have. In the age of social media, if you see an ‘influencer’ with something you like, you’re going to want to buy it. But, with coronavirus comes a moral shift. The fast-fashion brands you might be drawn to due to low prices are the ones putting the health and wellness of their workers on the line. By shopping for fast fashion brands during this crisis, you’re directly contributing to and continuing the cycle of consumerism, and putting lives at risk. Is that worth it for a pair of jeans? No. Try to shop sustainable or local, or don’t shop at all. When this is over, if you really want to spend on clothes, you can – but please hold out.

Toxic Friendships

This time will have allowed you to see who cares for you, who values your friendship and who does not. If somebody has popped into your head while reading this, it’s likely they’re toxic, and you need to get rid. You do not need toxic friendships moving forward. You don’t deserve friends who don’t love, respect and value you the way you value them. If they’ve been adding too much pressure to you over this period, or haven’t been there when you needed them, take a step back to re-evaluate whether you need them at all.

Replace the above with more positive past-times and reap the benefits. Your mental wellbeing and emotional connections with family and friends will be strengthened, as well as your ability to enjoy your own company, space and time.

This time will hopefully provide you with the opportunity to assess what is truly important to you. The things that fill your heart with happiness, the people you’re currently desperate to see and squeeze tight. Hold on to the feelings of joy, and be patient. We’re fortunate to be safe and well right now, and that is all that matters.