Spending weeks and months, if not an entire year, in lockdown during a pandemic, it’s almost impossible not to learn things about yourself you never knew before.
While everyone’s pandemic has looked a little, if not a lot, different, I think we all learned some valuable lessons.
Life in a pandemic isn’t easy. It’s full of uncertainty, fear, anger, and other incredibly unpleasant emotions. I struggled, as did most of us.
I learned…
That I can be spontaneous. Friends, I am a Type-A planner. I like to a have Plans A-Z at the ready, and I like to know what’s happening at all times in specific detail. The pandemic chilled me waaaaaay out in that regard. I have learned to roll with the punches, become much more flexible, and ease up on any of the planning. It’s not a bad lesson, honestly.
I learned…
That I can let things go. Again, one might have considered me a wee bit uptight or high-strung before the pandemic. I could really hyper-fixate on situations and scenarios and spin into some ridiculous mental and emotional spirals. Now, I’m much more zen, and able to move on from things with a minimum of fuss. It’s another positive.
I learned…
That I am still very much an introvert. In the last decade or so, I’ve labeled myself more of an extroverted introvert, someone who does well out and about, but needs some recharging. Well, the pandemic has shown me that I am 100%, A-ok holed up in a quiet corner with a book, or a craft. I do believe it’s my natural state.
I learned…
There was a LOT of clutter in my life: physical, mental, and emotional. In order to better care for myself and my family, I had to clear it out. All of it. That took the shape of redecorating, renovating, purging, donating, and reorganizing. I had to let go of old possessions, bad habits, and even people. It’s amazing how much lighter that makes me feel.
I learned…
That I am very much a puppy person. Puppies are a TON of work, and require lots of sleepless nights and patience and training, but I am here for it. Getting Luna as an actual puppy showed me for sure that I am a willing sucker for all the awesome puppy shenanigans, puppy breath, and puppy mischief.
I learned…
That I would make a terrible teacher. I just don’t have the patience. Granted, I have more patience than at the start of the pandemic, but I don’t think I could ever be a substitute teacher or even homeschool. Can I steer virtual and online education? Mostly. But I give all the credit in the world to our teachers, because they are the true MVPs. Whatever they have, I decidedly do not.
I learned…
That I miss traveling so much. I can make do with so little on the material front, but my wanderlust is aching right about now and there’s not much I can do about it. We have been so lucky to enjoy a few secluded road trips to the mountains, and I cherish those moments as major highlights in an awful year. The first thing we are going to do when the world starts opening up is booking all the trips.
I am linking up with Kookyrunner and Zenaida this Tuesday for Tuesday Topics!
What lessons did you learn from this pandemic?
All good lessons. I know I need to de clutter big time. And I am so glad I no longer a teacher.
I miss traveling too.
I can’t wait to look back on this rather than living through it.
I agree with you, 100%.
I hope you will get to do some travelling soon again, Jenn!
What will be your first destination?
I’m a dedicated minimalist – we have very little furniture and household items. I fully support your need for purging and donating. It feels so good! This pandemic was a true blessing in that regard.
Catrina recently posted…Last Run in the Sun
And of course, I just looked at all your photos and am drooling!
I want to go the Blue Ridge mountains again. It’s within 6 hours, we can get a cabin to ourselves, and there’s lots of outdoorsy stuff. We may end up on the Gulf Coast of Florida, although maybe I can get us to Alabama and the Emerald Coast, as something different. We don’t want to fly anywhere, and I don’t want to do a hotel stop during the drive, just to minimize our interaction with others. It would be great to go to the Florida Keys, but that’s almost 10 hours from my house by car, and the pandemic is way worse through south Florida than it is here. So many things to consider.
I’m so glad my kids are grown because there is no way I could’ve dealt with the home schooling.
I love puppies!
We’ve had to cancel so many trips. I can’t wait to go somewhere…anywhere.
It is so hard, and I only have one kiddo (who is old enough to not need tons of assistance). I can’t imagine what people with more than one child, and younger children, are doing right now. I am so grateful for the incredible teachers who put their hearts and souls into this as their career. I was always appreciative, but now even more so.
Puppies rock.
Anywhere, but here, right?
Yup, travel. Aside from day trips there has been none in my world for 2 years. Which is, of course, a choice. I know plenty of people who traveled & are just fine. I had a chance to go with my husband on a business trip last February—but we had a longer racecation planned for the summer. Wrong choice!
Introvert all the way.
I do like the fact that when you get a puppy or kitten you can train them up right. Although both Chester & Lola we got as rescue puppies — they still had a lot of issues.
We are discussing a trip right now, and it’s hard to figure something out. Again, we would probably rent a house out of the way and secluded where we could just be on our own. I want something with hiking, and Mr PugRunner wants beach. We all want to go out West, but none of us feels comfortable on a plane. No right answers.
I think you have a better chance with a puppy, but it’s not guaranteed. Luna is a monster LOL. Delilah and Bentley were both rescues. Delilah is the chillest, most mellow dog I have ever owned. Except she’s terrified of heights (so please don’t pick her up or put her on the couch lol). Bentley came with heaps and heaps of issues that we had to undo or deal with. I love rescue, but sometimes it’s nice to know what you’re dealing with from Day 1.
So many of these are so similar to mine. I’m glad I never chose teaching as a career (number 1, LOL). But I also realise I have a lot of clutter. So I too have been organising – it’s going slow but for the first time in many years, I can say it’s actually getting done.
Everyone always says I should be a teacher, or a sub. What? No! The closest I’ve come is being a den leader for my son’s cub scouts den. That was only an hour a week, and I felt like I was bludgeoned with a 2×4 at the end of every session.
Slow doesn’t matter. I love the feeling of just donating and clearing things out. Of course, Mr PugRunner is a hindrance. He would prefer to sell everything. I have to sneak around when he’s at work, or compromise and let him deal with the bigger things. But however it gets done, right?
I did a lot of decluttering last year as well and it felt so good!
Puppies make everything better! 🙂
It’s an amazing feeling. I actually didn’t get a start on the decluttering til much later. I felt so unmotivated after my leg that I just didn’t bother. Now, it’s almost like a reward.
Puppies are the best. My dream is to own a pug ranch. With some alpacas. And other critters.
Great lessons, I can relate to most (maybe not the teacher one, since I don’t have kids!) It’s interesting how many of us bloggers are introverts. But we love to connect here? I’m plenty happy by myself reading a book. But I too most definitely have wanderlust!
Yes, rolling with the punches definitely rings true…. I think I called it “adaptable” in my version of this post LOL
An excellent word for it!
I am a Type-A planner just like you so I know that is such a struggle to go with the flow! It’s definitely been a big lesson during this crazy time. And I miss traveling too!
I had no idea I had it in me. I guess you can teach an old lady new tricks, lol!
It has been an interesting year of regrowth and discovery for all of us. I need to do a major purge…so much clutter and excess “things” that really aren’t needed. I have enjoyed the more laid-back lifestyle the pandemic forced on us. And, I certainly have a bigger appreciation for the simple things…eating more meals at home, taking walks (with the hubby, more than ever before), and spending much less time at the grocery store (and stores, in general).
There are definitely many positives to the whole thing.
Your list is almost exactly what mine would be if I wrote a post about this! I haven’t minded the isolation ass much as I thought I would, although now that I have gotten the vaccine, I’m ready to roll. The problem is…no one else is. We sure have learned a lot about ourselves. Letting go of the stuff (and the people) that weighs us down certainly has been a positive this year.
I can handle me some isolation!
I have loved the purge cycle! Be gone, bad energy!
I also miss traveling too! Your comment about being a terrible teacher made me laugh. I honestly don’t think you’ll be terrible at it.
Everyone says I could do it, but I just don’t have that kind of faith. I will not miss this year, that’s for sure!