What is This Pandemic Teaching Us?

Every passing day within the last four months has been a historical page turner. The effects of covid-19 are devastating, but it also forced those of us that are privileged enough (those that still have their homes, jobs, school, sustainable income, and lives) to be still. In quarantine some people found peace in completing their tasks without the usual external stimulants. Others took time to introspectively analyze their spiritual/religious side (something I plan on doing), some continued to/became active (like me), while others became activists (been here too!).

It's insensitive to say that covid-19 has been a blessing in disguise when you look at the damage it caused all over the globe. It's ruining lives and obliterating economies. But again, for those privileged enough to have access to the sweet nothings of life before quarantine, there are lessons to be learned from this.

I'd like to share 11 things that I've observed, not just from the pandemic, but lessons I've learned overall:

1. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. I've lost a few family members to this virus and it really reveals how fast your downfall can be. You can be fine today, and die next week. So every choice you make should be for the benefit of you and others.

2. "Whatever you are not changing, you're choosing". I found this quote a while back. It served as a reality check for me because there are a lot of things that I want in life for myself, but sometimes life gets in the way and sometimes I just make excuses. I get unmotivated, lazy, and comfortable with being stagnant. If you were to ask me how I felt, I'd tell you that I want my goals 100%. But if the actions don't match the desired outcome and you don't work towards the goal, you're inevitably choosing mediocrity instead of your best self. That's a harsh truth I had to come to terms with.

3. Be comfortable with the standards you set for yourself. This is piggybacking off of the second one, of not being comfortable with less than. I feel like knowing what you deserve is incredibly important, and you should never let anyone shake you down from that. Especially as a black woman, where having standards is sometimes seen as obscene, it's important not to waver from it. Don't be unrealistic though; make sure that everything you require, you can provide. And don't forget to be considerate of others when it comes to these standards!

4. Experience is life's best teacher. Honestly, there's not much to say on this one. If you don't learn the first time, God is gonna make you learn one way or another.

5. There's truth to every joke. See that whole "I'm just joking" thing doesn't fly with me. I don't play that. As an introvert, I pride myself on being able to read people and noticing bs before it's blatantly shown. Disrespect disguised as a joke doesn't fly over my radar and it shouldn't for you. Because the moment that becomes normalized...

6. People will look out for themselves. In terms of the pandemic, we've seen how nations came together to slow the spread of Covid-19 and flatten the curve before it could wreck havoc. They wore their masks ahead of time, something that is proven to help others from catching what you may have. But when we look at some of the citizens in America, the refusal to wear a mask, worrying about themselves over a collective unit, it just screams individualism. It's worrying...and an ideology that will be analyzed in the future.

7. Not every single relationship you have is meant to be forever. Sometimes the mere experience you had with a person, whether it's relationship or friendship, is what's important. You learn in ways you wouldn't have been able to understand had you not come across a set of personalities and issues. That being said, when things end, it's okay to let them end. If it's run it's course and is no longer beneficial to you or your mental and vice versa, you need to let it go.

8. Taking "L's" in silence can be harmful. On social media people like to romanticize the idea of success. But knowing how life is, there will always be stumbling blocks. Why do we feel comfortable only showing the good and not the bad? That's not an accurate representation of life. I'm not saying to announce your losses because I can understand why one might keep that a secret. But allow yourself to fall and lean on the ones closest to you, so that you can get back up stronger and better than ever.

9. You can't stand for something vocally, and stand for nothing in reality. I feel like this definitely comes into coalition with all the movements going on lately. For example, you'll see a girl who believes racism is wrong, making one or two points against injustice...just for her to be in a relationship with a guy that is completely against those beliefs. We've officially moved past the belief that politics is just an opinion; it's an extension of your morale, your core principle. How do you lay in the same bed as someone who thinks human rights is a radical idea? Be consistent and firm in what you believe, or you'll fall for anything!

10. Take your health seriously. As covid-19 has glaringly made obvious, we only get one life. One heart. One brain. One body. Take your health seriously, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Be conscious of what you put in your body and mind because it all affects your aura and energy as a whole. Overall, mental health in America is not being treated with much attention and for minorities it gets a lot worse. There's so many reasons that contribute to the worsening state of our overall psychological health as a generation and a nation, so it's imperative that we take it upon ourselves to find resources and mitigation; even if that's talking to a friend at your lowest point, going to therapy, or something simple like taking a walk to increase endorphins.

11. What's for you will always be for you. Nobody can take what's yours. What God says is for you will always be for you. Your blessings, your future accomplishments, your path, nothing can shake what He has in store for you. Think back to everything in your life that led you to the point you are at now. Your career choices, love life, etc....all the choices that we make and take risks on. It's scary I know. But everything fell into place right? You survived 100% of the mistakes you've made and the chances you were afraid to take.

I definitely plan on updating this list as time goes on, but I feel as though this accurately sums up my current mental state and where I'm at with introspection. I hope to talk about these topics in depth in the future, and in terms of health I will definitely be providing resources for people to refer to always.

With Love,

Lian