We are currently experiencing a very different time. I feel as though everyone is handling (or maybe not handling) it very differently. Everyone is entitled to do what they need to get through this difficult time. And don’t you let anyone tell you otherwise!

Rather than delve into how you should be handling things, I would rather tell you what I have learned from this experience…

• I struggle if I don’t have a schedule to keep. So I have turned to creating “to-do” lists the night before. It’s the only thing that keeps me progressing in some shape or form, as opposed to just watching TV ALL DAY.

• I have always enjoyed being a very “BUSY” person. I always have a million things to do and this forced downtime has allowed me to relax and really think. Think about things I normally avoid allowing to tumble around in my brain. Think more about the future and where I want it to go and what I want it to look like. I have been able to accomplish many things I constantly procrastinate.

• I can actually see my future life as being one that does not constantly revolve around work. I enjoy having time to do “fun things” and just enjoy life as it comes. Don’t get me wrong, I love my work! But I enjoy the feeling of not constantly stressing about it. I also enjoy not having my life revolve around it.

• To have an online business that you can work from anywhere (even if it’s just a part-time side-gig), is essential.

• To have big dreams will keep you focused, even in times of doubt!

• I have been able to work towards my own personal goal of living a more minimalist life. It was on my dream board for this year. With the extra time my home isolation has given me, I have been making great strides at eliminating some clutter in my life. It’s quite freeing to take boxes of stuff I don’t need (and some stuff I didn’t even know I had) to Goodwill and open up space in my life.

• I actually do love to cook! I’ve had more time to experiment with new recipes and it has been very rewarding.

• I love podcasts! I knew this before, but over the past year I had started to fall away from them. The extra time has brought me back to listening to stories, history, education and personal development. I just love sitting down in the morning with my coffee on the back porch and enriching my mind!

• I am determined to be better prepared for when life ramps back up. I will have my daily non-negotiables I will carry on with. These include drinking lots of water (I have been increasing gradually, and I’m up to 3L/day), writing in my daily gratitude journal, morning podcasts and meal planning.

• During this time of not-spending so much on silly things, I think I will be able to carry it on when I am back to working full time. I plan to focus more on paying off debts and saving. Clearing the clutter from my life in combination with staying home, has taught me there are a lot of unnecessary purchases in my normal life.

• It is ABSOLUTELY OK to have a day where you accomplish NOTHING! Call it a rest day, self-care day, mental health day, whatever you like! If for one day all you feel like doing it laying in bed or on the couch and binge watching movies or TV shows, then DO IT! For whatever reason your mind & body is telling you are trying to do too much and you need to just stop.

What are your biggest lessons or takeaways you’ve been blessed with during this pandemic? I would love to hear them… Comment below!