The past two years have been hard, especially. After two years of job loss, working on the frontline as essential workers, and dealing with outbreaks and illness, people are tired. Sick of living in this weird limbo, we’re ready to do something different and have things to look forward to again. What does that look like when the pandemic still isn’t completely over? Well, it’s truly possible to set goals, make plans, and move forward while continuing to protect yourself. SenSpa presents the following guide that will explain how.
Shift Your Mindset
Stop thinking about everything you’ll do when the pandemic is officially over; COVID is here to stay. Instead, start thinking about what you can do now to position yourself for success. Yes, it’s time to set goals again and get back on the path of personal growth.
Here’s an easy activity if you’re feeling lost and disconnected: Write down five things you’re good at, five things you’re passionate about, your top five values, and five dreams you have for yourself. This gives you a jumping-off point to think about the bigger picture and how to craft the life you want.
Also, take a look at your surroundings (at home, of course) and see how you feel. If you’ve grown tired of your decor, this can have a profound effect on your mental wellness. So, look for ways to refresh your space without going completely overboard. For example, if the color of your walls bothers you, try peel & stick wallpaper that you can easily readjust and replace if you decide the new color isn’t your thing either. Whatever you do, make sure it’s something that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and comfortable.
If you’re really stuck, there may be something else going on. A lot of people have struggled with mental health during the pandemic, but holding it all in won’t make it go away. Stop masking your pain and reach out to someone who can help, like a doctor or therapist. You may only have to pay a copay if you’re insured. Uninsured or underinsured? Check sliding-scale clinics, group therapy, peer support groups, and the nonprofit network OpenPath Collective for affordable counseling.
Change Your Career
A lot of people are rethinking their careers during the pandemic. Tired of feeling overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated, workers are leaping into new careers with better pay and work-life balance. If you already have a strong background, take some time to polish your resume. Start with a resume builder online to give it a makeover, then start hunting for the perfect role, and then brush up on best practices for negotiating a job offer and compensation that aligns with your career objectives.
Ready for something totally new? The huge uptick in virtual education equals more online degree choices than ever. The most important thing is to make sure any degree is accredited. To be safe, avoid for-profit schools, schools that don’t accept federal student aid, or shady accreditation from unrecognized agencies.
Of course, why work for someone else when you could be your own boss? The last few years saw the highest number of new businesses on record. Because entrepreneurs can sell entirely online, they can start on tiny budgets with minimal risk. It still takes hard work and long hours to build a business, however. So if you choose this route, you need to be prepared to hustle. That being said, the steps to launching a business are fairly straightforward: create a business plan, choose a structure, decide on a name, register with the state, get a tax ID number and apply for any necessary licenses or permits.
Get Involved
Being active in your community is the best way to beat isolation right now. Getting involved lets you meet new people, share your voice, and help others. On a more personal level, it builds self-confidence, fosters gratitude, and furthers your personal development.
Community involvement can look like consciously supporting local businesses, speaking up about important issues, donating your time to community groups, and participating in mutual aid.
It also comes in the form of activism. Are you fired up and ready to make a change? Community organizers work on the front lines and behind the scenes to disrupt the status quo and drive change. There’s power in numbers, so start by finding your community of peers and allies. Identify grassroots groups and local leaders working in this space and attend meetings and reach out on social media to learn how you can help.
The world isn’t terribly inspiring right now, but don’t let that stop you from being the amazing person you are! Do the things that make you excited about life again and take care of yourself. You’ll get more out of the day-to-day and re-emerge ready to show the world all the wonderful things you have to offer.
Jennifer McGregor is a pre-med student, who loves providing reliable health and medical resources for Public Health Library users. She knows how difficult it can be to sift through the mountains of health-related information on the web. She co-created the site with a friend as a way to push reputable information on health topics to the forefront, making them easier and quicker to find.
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