What will you keep?

The past few months have been extraordinary, resembling something from a science fiction novel. The world thrown into chaos as a super virus touched virtually everyone’s lives. Families separated, social isolation changing every aspect of our days, livelihoods lost and globally a death toll usually associated with wars or genocide. Yet, as much as COVID-19 brought the need to change how we live, it also brought the opportunity to reconsider our choices and habits and to adapt. Out of something unthinkable came some good and some vital lessons about ourselves and others have provided opportunities for learning, reflection and reassessment.

As COVID-19 spread around the country, workplaces changed with rapid speed to allow its employees to work from home. Whilst this initially created some stress, it provided opportunities to slow down and to meet the competing demands of work and family in unique ways. Whilst many have lost their jobs and have had to find other ways to fill their days, it also gave an insight as to the experience of having to be reliant on social welfare, an opportunity to revisit our bias and judgements of others less fortunate.

Places of education changed to delivering remote education whilst stressful for many, also giving some young people a reprieve from the day to day unpleasantness that the school environment can bring and parents a new appreciation for teachers. Homes became gyms and many found the joy of exercising for free outdoors. Computers became a greater facilitator of human connection and many chose to phone friends and loved ones rather than send texts or emoji’s bringing joy to others.  Beauty salons closed, forcing some of us to accept the grey and become a little less self-obsessed and more comfortable in our own skins. The post office became a major shopping distribution centre reinstating the humble postie as a deliverer of joy not just bills. The humble toilet roll became a commodity rivalling the bit economy bringing out some of our worst behaviours and also some extraordinary acts of simple kindness.  Doctors and other medical staff came into our homes to offer assessments and treatments negating the need to sit in waiting rooms potentially getting illnesses we did not initially have. Vegie patches have been reinstated as sources of food and enjoyment, pets have been rescued and given new loving homes at rates never experienced before and we all learnt that we can live at home and eat a meal with our families cooked at home every now and then. Neighbours, who have never spoken became known to each other, families who had drifted apart reunited and children have probably spent more time outside with their immediate family unit that we have seen in decades. Politicians who are normally the subject of our discontent, and front line workers who are normally forgotten and faceless became our daily heroes and subjects of our gratitude, appreciation and admiration. And whilst we couldn’t travel, our environment was given a chance to heal and rejuvenate as our oceans flourished and our footprint on the earth was for a few short months lessened.

So, as we emerge from our homes and life slowly moves towards what will be the new normal, take some time to reflect, think about how COVID-19 has changed you as an individual and as a member of the community. Think about what you have learnt about yourself and others, how resilient and adaptable you are what strengths you have and also, what weaknesses. We have been given an opportunity to reset, to redefine our values and who we are, what is important and what is not. What will you keep?

Pam Bubrzycki