COVID-19 is something we never expected. It has proved to be an adversary, leaving a trail of illness and death and challenging even the world’s best health care systems. None of us were prepared to face the realities of the pandemic, and the world will never be the same.
COVID-19 has brought nations to a standstill. It has made many people stop and reflect, to rekindle relationships. It has made us creative in unimaginable ways.
This is how it changed my life.
It changed the way I work
Even before the pandemic began, I worked from home. Even so, some clients would request in-person meetings.
Now, unable to meet people in-person, most businesses have abruptly shifted from direct contact to completely virtual meetings. They have realized that they don’t need physical contact to continue operating their business. For me, this is a positive impact of the pandemic.
Personal hygiene has never been more important
I always took personal hygiene seriously. However, since the pandemic, personal hygiene has never been more emphasized. We always knew washing your hands was important, but we never really thought about it in terms of saving your life.
Mental health is an issue
Staying indoors due to the lockdown can impact your mental health. People have no choice but to think and reflect during this period.
For me, I have had to think about my mental health. Normally, I wouldn’t have; this new habit is as a result of the outbreak. I wonder if the lockdown is causing mental health symptoms in people that have never experienced them before.
Focusing on what is important
All our materialistic possessions, like the beautiful clothes, cars, and jewelry, can’t be utilized during the pandemic. Instead of focusing on the material world, the lockdown has made me focus more on what I eat, how I prioritize my well-being, and my loved ones.
Stockpiling medical supplies
Before the pandemic, I didn’t pay too much attention to my health. And I certainly never had never before thought about stocking up on medical supplies. However, COVID-19 has changed this. Now my kitchen and bathroom cabinets are stocked with medicines I never thought I would need.
Staying informed with trusted sources
The pandemic has affected how I consume medical information. Staying informed is one of the ways to overcome ignorance, and so, I have been consciously keeping up with the latest information through respected platforms like WHO, CDC, and UNICEF.
The world is changing, but that doesn’t mean that all change is bad. We learn to adapt, and by adapting we can get through anything.
