As we look back over the last 2 years, what is it we see?
For me and my family it was a jam packed calendar every day of the week, both of us working, two kids in grade school, plus hockey, sleepovers, swimming, etc. As a family we love going to the lake on the weekend, having various different friends and families come to stay with us over the summer months. Not to mention having that one day a week where our larger family got together for a meal, game or to enjoy an outing together. There never seemed to be enough minutes in the day to fit it all in.
As we look back over the last couple months and into what the next few will hold, things look a little different…
We have all transitioned in one way or another into a new normal. A great percentage of us have transitioned to working from home, some of us have had to learn how to manage our jobs plus learn how to be a teacher for our children or a caregiver to our aging family members. Those jam packed calendars are…blank. The overall shift in life has been a major adjustment. For me, I have always found myself digging into any new challenge, charging ahead without taking time to assess the change or impact to my mind, body, family, friends or community. Potentially many of you could also be charging ahead without taking inventory on those same very things: mind, body, family/friends/community.
I challenge you to take an inventory, how are you actually doing? Are you finding time for you? Maybe you are spending too much time alone, can you schedule time to socialize? Setup a Teams Meeting to have coffee with those you used to run into in the coffee room at the office. Such a great health break for you and an opportunity to ask “How are you doing? Get a real feel for how they are coping. Those of us with kids or elderly at home, it is equally as important to teach them how to take this same inventory. How are they reaching out to their social circles? Socialization has taken on a new form without playgrounds for the little ones or a game of cards or afternoon coffee for those older folks. How can we help keep the mental health of our loved ones in a positive space as well?
Individually we are all adaptable and strong beings; together we adapt at greater speeds and are significantly stronger. We need to support each other, share our individual coping mechanisms as your method may spark an idea within someone who is struggling. I encourage each of you to start your conversations with a genuine “How are you?” “How is the family?” We never know the full lengths of what someone else may be going through and this simple gesture could be exactly what they need to make them stronger.
