When the Coronavirus hit back in March and our governor gave the order to “shelter in place”, I thought certainly things will be back to normal in time for the summer. Now, as more details about this virus have come to light, we are having to face the very harsh reality that things aren’t going to get back to normal ANY time soon! All summer festivals have been cancelled. Church services, graduations, proms, the NBA season…CANCELLED! Schools have been switched to e-Learning for the remainder of the school year, and will more than likely still operate online in the Fall. A vaccine is being developed, but won’t be ready for another 12 to 18 months. So yeah. 2020 is a wash! Or is it?
Perspective is KEY!
About a month ago, I stared down at my shiny 2020 Happy Planner and laughed. “Well, I won’t be needing THIS”! I thought to myself. Then as quickly as that thought came, another one entered my mind. You know how some students choose to take a break after high school before heading off to college? That “break” is referred to as a “Gap Year”. The purpose of it is to allow the student some time to take a breather. Some people travel abroad during this time. Others choose to work and save up money for school. While there are certainly benefits to taking a year off before starting a rigorous college education, there can be cons to taking a gap year as well. For some people, once their momentum has been broken, they never quite get it back. One year turns into two. Then three. And before you know it, life has taken them in an entirely different direction. For this reason, many parents strongly discourage their kids from taking a gap year.
As for us, we weren’t given a choice in the matter.
‘Rona came through and sat us ALL down for a forced “Gap Year!” So now we have a choice to make.
If you have not done so already, I strongly suggest you do some goal setting. Begin with the end in mind: “How do I want to come out of quarantine”? Shifting my thought process to this perspective has been VERY beneficial for me and my household! During this time, we’ve done some Spring cleaning, planned the upcoming school year and purchased curriculum (I am a stay at home mom & we homeschool our 4 year old son), written our family values/mission statement, done some decorating, and so much more! We are spending much more time together as a family unit now that things have significantly slowed down.
It’s been said that it takes thirty days to form a habit. Well, we’ve been on quarantine for over sixty days! What habits have you developed thus far? Be honest with yourself! Now is the perfect time to shift course if you’ve been slacking in some areas. For example, my husband and I realized that we had gotten way too lackadaisical with our nutrition! When there’s nothing else to do but eat and watch TV while snacking on your favorite comfort foods, weight can pile on rather quickly! Over this past week, we have been drinking healthy smoothies, drinking more water, and eating more fruits and vegetables.
While a global pandemic is NOT the way I would have chosen to take a break and get myself sorted out, I have determined that I will NOT come out of this experience the same way I came in!
A couple of practical things that you can do to make the most of this “gap year” include:
- Plan each day (no more flying by the seat of your pants!)
- Get dressed (you don’t have to put on makeup or anything, but retire the bum attire. Why? Because while wearing it, you’re more likely to act accordingly.).
- Personal Development: Read something. Listen to a podcast. Find a way to grow spiritually/mentally/professionally.
- Get moving! Whether it’s a neighborhood stroll, or a cool new workout video, find a way to take good care of your body at least 30 minutes a day.
- Take another look at that vision board! No seriously. Look at it (stop laughing). Now, in spite of ALL that has not gone according to plan thus far in 2020, what can you still accomplish? Narrow your focus (there’s only six months left). Answer this question for yourself: If I don’t do ANYTHING else in 2020, I MUST __________________ .
Now go after that goal with PITBULL tenacity! Remember, this is just temporary. Things are eventually going to go back to normal. Take this time to reset what “normal” looks like for you. For your household. For your career. For your relationships. #YouveGotThis
Nikeya Young is Certified Master Life Coach, Author and Speaker. Find her online at
www.nikeyayoung.com