The events we’re going through right now have the power to shape us forever. None of us will be the same after this. Even if we don’t get sick ourselves, we all know someone who knows someone. Or we know someone who narrowly escaped being sick. So why have new goals at all, you might ask? For one thing, you’ll feel more in control if you have goals.
First Look at Your Old Goals
Did you have resolutions for New Years that are now out the window? Why not rewrite them, since you’re at home anyway? For instance, one of my New Years goals was to make my own clothes. Hahaha! As if that’ll ever happen now. But instead, I’m making masks for healthcare providers to use. You might need to pivot in a similar way. You might like: How to Make Stretch Goals That Make You Stretch.
Lowering the Bar Might Help
Some days, getting out of bed, making coffee, and making breakfast might be all that you can handle. Or calling up an elderly neithbor or two. Making that big goal a bit smaller could be just the ticket. Everyone’s expectations need to be lowered right now, since for many even going to the grocery store isn’t happening the same way it used to be.
Be Kind to Everyone, Including Yourself
One of my friends said it best: be sure to vote for Team You. That is, hang out with people who nurture and support you. If people don’t support you, leave their orbit. Maybe try being around them later. So maybe take some of your goals off your list entirely. Try learning to bungee jump next year instead of this year.
Be Introspective
One thing that’s really good to do right now is to meditate on what you want from your life, your career, and your family. Why not consider writing in a diary, or restarting the diary that you haven’t written in for awhile? You might even want to start a gratitude journal. We’re all getting more alone time, so why not take advantage?
I can’t say I had a lot of goals coming into the new year, but the few I did have were geared towards working more towards a positive mindset. In the last 3 weeks, at least up until a couple of days ago, I’ve totally foregone the actions which were helping me with those goals, and I’d started binging on a lot of things that weren’t good for me, if good to me. :-)
With recognition that I couldn’t continue down that road, and of course someone else I have to take care of, I’m doing a few more positive things to improve my mindset. I haven’t gone back to what I was centering on in regards to my mindset, but I’ve gone waaaayyyyy back on other things that used to bring me joy in other times. Even listened to opera the last couple of days; that felt good. :-)
Hi Mitch,
A lot of us have had our schedules thrown off during the past few weeks. Myself, I’ve been saying, “oh heck! Go ahead and eat that brownie! Who cares?” a little too often. I hear what you’re saying about binging.
IN a way, having someone else to take care of forces you or anyone to be more positive. Wow–opera! What a nice change. Music has a way of changing one’s mindset quickly.
Thanks for the comments!
So one of the things I’ve been doing for about six months is making my bed. It sort of changes my mindset for the entire day. Having that as a basis during this pandemic has helped me tremendously. Thanks, Carol.
I love that you’re making your bed. Sometimes those small things add up and become big things. And you’re right–mindset can be shifted by starting on a positive note. Thanks for stopping by, Bridget!
Ths pandemic has really made me think about what’s really important in our lives. I guess the threat to our existence makes us think about why are we really here, what’s our role and impact on this planet? The question of what do we want on our tombstone has always helped me to stop and reevaluate what I do.
Hi Maricar,
That’s a good way to think about your actions now. I wish everyone would look that far ahead.
Thank you for stopping by. I love having you on the chat!
Carol