Covid-19 Is Inspiring People To Reinvent Themselves: Here’s How to Start

There’s nothing quite like spending a year in physical and social isolation to foster introspective thoughts. On top of that, the dramatic shift to remote work, virtual school, and long-distance relationships has challenged the way that most people go about their daily lives.

With so much change in the air and deep internal processing taking place everywhere, it should come as no surprise that many people are using the ongoing situation as a source of inspiration to reinvent themselves. If you find yourself amongst the ranks of those itching for a new beginning, here are a few suggestions for ways to get the journey started.

Slow Down …On Purpose

It’s difficult to slow down on your own. There are even fewer times when life actually slows down for you. Rather than kicking and screaming against the inevitable, use the pandemic as a chance to accept where you currently are: at a standstill.

Being in the moment is extremely hard, but it can yield some powerful benefits. For instance, it gives you a chance to focus on what’s going on around you. It also helps you disconnect from obsessing over future anxieties and ambitions.

Being in the moment can feel uncomfortable and even a little scary. However, getting out of your comfort zone in this manner is a great way to gain some perspective and begin the process of reorienting yourself for the future.

Re-evaluate Your Goals and Priorities

Once you’ve slowed down and focused on the present, you can begin the process of unpacking who you are, what you need, and how you can go into the future with a positive and productive mindset.

This starts with re-evaluating the current state of your goals and priorities. Ask yourself basic questions, such as:

• Have you lost sight of larger long-term goals? It’s easy to let long-term goals slip in the day-to-day bustle. Did you ever start saving for a downpayment on a dream house? Do you need to go back to school to get an MBA degree so you can finally start your own business?
• Do you need to spend more time with your family? It’s easy to get distracted by work. Do you need to schedule family time or establish some new family-focused hobbies to do together?
• What do you want to get out of life? Sometimes who you want to be and what you actually do look very different. Have your desires and your activities drifted apart lately?
• Do you need a new infusion into your personal style? Sometimes something as simple as a style change is all you need to get a fresh start. Do you need a wardrobe refresher or even a new pair of glasses?

Ask yourself the tough questions. Challenge the status quo. Resist the urge to take the easy way out. This is how you can begin to peel back the layers and remember what it is that drives you underneath the surface.

Consider Your Responsibilities

While desires and goals are a good start, it’s also important to consider your current responsibilities. This doesn’t mean you have to feel trapped by them, though. Instead, review any and every personal duty that you currently have and prioritize them.

For instance, taking care of your children’s safety and basic needs is a high priority. So is making an income. However, working in a specific field or industry may not be as important. Perhaps a shift in your career is in order.

The pandemic offers a perfect time to sort through and prioritize your responsibilities. It also offers the perfect opportunity to weed out minor duties and commitments, even if it’s something as simple as changing up your social hobbies during a time when events are canceled and you won’t feel peer pressure for doing so.

Assess Your Skills

Skills are another area that should be considered as you go about looking for a fresh start.

For example, if you’ve lost your job or found yourself working remotely when you didn’t want to, it’s a perfect opportunity to review your skills and consider if you’re working in a profession that utilizes your strengths.

Even if it isn’t career-related, there are many other ways that you can re-evaluate your approach to life. For example, spending time at home may have pushed you to tackle some home improvement projects that may be better left to professionals. If that garage door still isn’t working or the molding that you installed is out of whack, take that as a sign that you should focus on other areas in your life where utilizing your skills lead to better results.

Share with Others

Finally, remember to seek out others as you go about planning how to reinvent yourself. The lack of social interactions can make this difficult, but try to do so via video chat, phone, or text if you can.

Seeking guidance and wisdom from those who are older and more experienced than you is always smart. Running your plans by a peer that you respect is also a good way to process and get feedback.

Reinventing Yourself for the Future

There has never been a better time to plan for the future and reinvent yourself. So take advantage of the situation. Consider who you are and where you are right now. Then look for ways that you can tailor your current lifestyle to help it better line up with whoever it is that you truly want to be.