3 Lessons during 2020 lockdowns
With all due respect to those who may have been affected by these lockdowns, did anybody else on here who grew tired of being hit over the head with the following?
Stay at home
Stronger Together
Slow the Spread
Social Distancing
Stay Safe
At home
Lockdown
Happy Quarantine
We’re in this together
We’ll get through this
We’ll be there for you
With Me
Quarantine And Chill
Until Tomorrow
I'm Doing Fine Because
Safe Hands
Till We Meet Again
In all sincerity - I get it.
But I’m minding my own business - I’m not bothering anybody - and I couldn’t stream a show, movie, motivational video, watch an affiliate marketing video, or maybe some background music while I write, without being bombarded by one of these reminders in some way.
That’s why I went into further lockdown. Outside of Wealthy Affiliate, I literally spent only a few minutes on social media for the past three months, and even LESS time on any updates from the mainstream media. And I know how they love to spin things too.
I spent a lot of time not only working on my website, niche and research, but working on myself, whether it’s journaling, reflecting, meditating, setting my goals, or even working out. These forced lockdowns have actually given me a new perspective on things that I probably wouldn’t have gained otherwise.
There were three things that I learned during lockdown …
Going Back To My Roots
Think about that thing that you loved to do during your childhood, and find a way to incorporate that into your life as you get older. For me, it was getting back to playing the piano more. I’ve been playing for over twenty years since I was a kid, but as I moved into adulthood, it began to take a back seat to everything else.
But now that I’ve momentarily shaved off two and a half hours of commute time, it’s given me more time to pick up an old hobby. And I found out that I actually still enjoy doing it! Perhaps, there’s something that you loved doing earlier in life and as you grew older, you moved away from it. There’s a reason you used to do that thing, and by not doing it, you’re robbing yourself of that happiness.
A Slippery Slope
I value my alone time - but the more you isolate yourself, the more you crave it. Social anxiety goes hand in hand with isolation, and some things force you to stay home. Quarantine may put you in the same mindset, but now that it’s coming to an end - for most of us, at least - you need to get out and mingle with people every chance you can get.
As these social opportunities pop up, there may be some resistance, as we’ve become accustomed to isolation lately. Is easy to think that “I’d rather just be at home and not be bothered” and say “No” to someone who invites you out. But Say “YES” - a few times if you have a chance to be around people - safely, of course! It may be awkward, but after the first few times, you’ll be okay.
It Will Pass
Everything has a beginning, middle and end. This thing started in a few weeks, then stretched to 2-3 months, then it seemed like it would go on forever and never end. And now they want a new normal.
When you’re going through a rough patch, and it seems like it will never end. Whether it’s an injury, break up, job loss, it’s important to recognize that the low points in your life don’t last forever.
It’s easy to lose sight when you’re in the middle of it and just telling yourself this isn’t going to solve your problems, but it is a comforting fact. It’s important to recognize that the high points aren’t going to last forever either. Inevitably that down cycle is coming too. You need to keep things in proper perspective.
I hope everyone else here managed to keep things in perspective and not lose focus during these times.
Happy Friday Everyone!
Isaiah 😊
Recent Comments
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Great post Isaiah, for me isolation has been no problem, since my injury has put me into a form of isolation that I had to adjust to a long time ago, my only concern is for the outside world and how people in general are not handling this COVID-19 epidemic very well. I don't watch much television except for DR. Pimple Popper, I catch that show evenings at 9 PM on cable, otherwise I'm messing with my computer or sitting on the patio drinking sweet tea.
Joe
I don't watch TV so missed much of that and social media is strictly business, so I didn't see a lot of it luckily Isaiah.
In my youth I read endlessly, I still read just not as much as I used to, less time now.
Yes, all things pass, good, bad and indifferent, just as they always do.
I suspect there are many that prefer not mixing with others so it will be quite hard for them, going out in to the world again,
Good post.
Oh did I love your list of overdone expressions! I too get very tired of them.
I'm actually enjoying having less social time with friends and only doing church on Zoom. My kind husband is doing most of the shopping, though that is also because then he spends less than if I were there with him.
What I mostly did with my childhood free time was read and read, and that has never stopped. Right now I'm enjoying re-reading a book titled The Mind of the Raven, as a lot of ravens live near us here. Their emotional range is surprisingly similar to ours.
Thanks Rosana. I do the same thing with church, meetups, and meeting only on Zoom too, for now.
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*** Superbly excellent blog post, Isaiah! .... well described of the current 'world' pandemic that's still in full swing and will likely stretch on further into months ahead and perhaps years ....
I had just read that apparently, we never left the 1918 'influenza' or perhaps it never left us ....
anyway, it's certainly a 'meditative time' for all to go within and to find the true self .... vs the 'social self' .... the true self is what counts and coming into that true being isn't easy as it means to say 'yes' to self and 'no' to someone else ... and of course, we've all been conditioned to not do that .... it's the 'how best to fit in.'
so all this time, in most peoples' lives, the saying of yes to others has always been a no to self .... and since we've grown up with that conditioning, we're unawares! ....
time for the awakening!
the coming into being of the expansive unique, creative self to create the future you truly want!
perhaps you're truly the next greatest pianist ever!
keep playing the piano ... let's hear some of it .... how about getting a professional recording done? ...
all the best as ever, cheerio .... :)
Thanks Keisha!! I still have great ambitions of being a concert pianist someday 👍
I will work on getting a recording done - Maybe a concert, inviting all of WA! - that's if I don't get stage fright! 🎹
*** For sure, Isaiah! ....
and by the way, while this 2020 pandemic is on, you're safe from 'big gatherings' as they're a 'no, no' for quite a while yet to come ... so plenty of time to practice, practice, practice to perfection and to get your recording done and to present 'virtually!' ....
Live your Big Dreams and become a Great Concert Pianist!
Yes, YOU Can Do it! .... For sure, Go for it! .... Bravo! ... Encore!
Visualize it, with the audience awestruck at your piano playing ability, imagine yourself all dressed in a tux with white gloves magically keying the keys on a grand piano on a huge stage with special spot light effects .... well, you imagine it! ... right to the finest detail .... and yes, think of it as already done! ...
You are THERE! ... make it so! .... 🎹🎤🎵 ....
So front row seats reserved ... move over for Isaiah! ...
please do keep me in the loop of how you're doing with this and the steps you're taking each day or at least each week to getting yourself to the THERE! .... yes, drop me a note .... thanks!
all the very best as ever, cheerio .... ⭐️👼⭐️ ....
Thanks for the encouragement, Keisha! I won't stop dreaming!
I will keep you posted too! 👍
*** Bravo! .... Encore! .... (huge audience claps & gives you a standing ovation 3x ! ) ... ***