WHILE the pandemic continues to disrupt how we work and relate with others, the year has been replete with realizations and lessons that can help us live our lives better in the coming year. As the year comes to a close, these are the lessons I have learned while navigating my way around the pandemic.
A lesson that I keep reminding myself this year is putting myself first. There is nothing selfish about doing whatever you can to feel safe. Some people resort to spraying alcohol on whatever surface their bodies touch, even wearing personal protective equipment when going out just so they can feel safe. Everyone has their own levels of feeling safe and if it makes you feel better to do those things, then do it.
I have also realized that taking care of yourself also means looking at your entire well-being and paying attention to your mental health. One thing I am thankful for is being active in a peer support group where I get to talk to other people and help them process their own issues. Helping others is a way of self-care because you will find meaning and purpose from helping others.
Some people also had time to think about what really mattered to them and they ended up shifting careers and realizing that corporate life is not for them. This year, I have realized that most of my work involves creating communication materials and information campaigns. While it was not my core function, it was a welcome break and an opportunity for me to know different units of my organization and understand how to communicate better to different audiences.
Being cooped up at home and the lack of face-to-face interactions can oftentimes bring us to read online posts on social media and unwittingly react to them. I learned to stop being reactive to just about everything on social media by ignoring those that disrupt my mental health, especially since the incoming elections have further polarized different social groups.
This year, I have also learned to enjoy my own company and to be kind to myself. I have always been an introvert but because of previous work requirements, I had to force myself to be more outgoing. The pandemic has made me realize the joys of being alone and enjoying the things I have not done in a long time like reading a book, following a sitcom or series, or just listening to music. I have also become more comfortable with my waistline and stopped being too self-conscious about it.
And probably one of the best things I learned this year that I can do for myself is to stop and rest when needed. For me, working from home has that added feeling of guilt such that I compensate by working longer hours just to prove to myself and to my organization that I can still do the work even if I am at home. It took working until midnight for me to realize that I had to stop and rest because my work quality suffered.
Compliment people for their good work and mean it. This works every time to uplift the mood, not just of the person but of the group as well. Lifting others up, instead of complaining how they work, can also help make that person appreciate the value they bring to the group and engenders positive feelings from those who hear it. People have their own issues to deal with, and a good word from you can help them be proud of what they do. It will also help coworkers adjust to multiple changes happening all at once in the workplace.
This year has also reinforced that change is constant, and oftentimes it can come abruptly. And with these changes come adjustments to the way we live and work. I have learned to focus on the things I can control and are within my immediate sphere of influence, and to let go of those that are beyond my control. Much of my frustrations and anxieties this year revolved around events beyond what I could do, and I realized I spend way too much time focusing on things that have yet to happen, or will not happen at all.
In understanding my organization better, I have also come to be more appreciative of what is given to me. Every organization is different, and they come with their own perks and inconveniences. But focusing on what the organization gives and continues to provide even during the pandemic helps me realize that I have a lot to be thankful for.
But I also realized that you cannot expect your company to protect you all the time. They can only do so much based on what they have and are willing to give to their employees. You also need to take responsibility for your own health and well-being.
If you are given the opportunity, learn something new. This year, our team launched a contest and I had to make eight animated videos using just PowerPoint. I learned most of the animation techniques from watching videos and experimenting with the morph function. It helped me improve my kinetic typography skills and understand my tools better.
And lastly, I rediscovered that cleaning can be cathartic. Staying at home more has helped me re-evaluate how I use my space and to let go of things that I have not used for a long time, and probably never will. This clears space for things I can use and which give me joy. As Marie Kondo has said, “The objective of cleaning is not just to clean, but to feel happiness living within that environment.”
This year may be a bit better than the last, but it also comes with its own lessons and realizations. You just need to take the time to get to know yourself better, so you can reach out to others effectively, and do your work efficiently.