3 Amazing truths the Italians gained from the Coronavirus

“Last night I lost the world, and gained the universe.”

― C. JoyBell C.

For a few years now I have been coaching Italian business professionals to speak better English. Recently, it has been my privilege to coach them throughout the explosion of the coronavirus. I have found it to be both heartwarming and heartbreaking but overall enlightening.

During this time I have witnessed the whole array of human emotions and behaviours but most importantly I have witnessed transformation on an unprecedented scale. It’s the sort of transformation that in my modest opinion could very well help change the world and save the planet.

In the spirit of enlightenment I would like to pass on my observations to help anyone who wishes to understand the process of change.

Here’s what I witnessed:-

Stage 1: Panic

At first many people were highly animated, those in or near the red zone were running around like headless chickens as they tried to organize work, food and family. They raced around at the speed of light never stopping or pausing for breath. Meeting after meeting after meeting. Resulting in exhaustion and brain fog.

For others it was just like having a new piece of exciting gossip to share and like a dog with a bone they weren’t going to let it go, barking it out at every opportunity.

Coronavirus, coronavirus, coronavirus, the words gushed out of their mouths like the water over Niagara falls, ceaseless and powerful but with no real comprehension of what was to come, how it would affect them or what they should do next.

Those higher up the ladder were suddenly burdened with the overwhelming task of simultaneously shutting down their company yet keeping it operating at the same time. Pumped with adrenaline people became acutely focused and were forced into taking drastic/innovative action. Suddenly the cumbersome chains of command started to break as the looming crisis forced them into action.

At this point everything was new and unfamiliar and the words coronavirus had little real significance. Their relationship to this plague was so new that at its best it was shallow and superficial, a mere reflection of a Facebook post. The future was a distant star, so small it couldn’t be seen with the naked eye and its effect incomprehensible.

Stage 2: Denial

25th of February 2020.

322 infected and 10 deaths.

Some of my students at the epicenter were ordered to stay at home. At this stage everything is still a novelty and everyone is buoyant, confident it will all blow over very quickly. After all its just 2 weeks of confinement, right?

Those in the infected zones are overwhelmed by emotions. Stress is high, schools are closed but kids are still meeting up in the parks and playgrounds, kids with learning needs are sinking and adults are finding it hard to adjust to being at home. Kids and adults in a small city apartment just don’t go, many wish they had a balcony — at least they could escape for a few minutes and savour the sunshine. Everyone is in complete denial. Most optimistically believe it will be done and dusted in 2 weeks.

For those in the south of Italy life is still relatively normal but that will soon change.

Coronavirus? What coronavirus? It will never reach us!

And they may have been right. If only their relatives in the north had remained in the north instead of running for the train to take them back home to the south.

Stage 3: Disbelief

14th of March 2020:

17660 infected 1441 deaths.

Two and a half weeks after partial lockdown and the world for Italy is in total chaos. Suddenly Italy is the epicenter of the virus and they are the bad boys of Europe recklessly spreading the disease wherever they go.

However, in Italy there is a lot of confusion and doubt regarding patient zero, a number of suspects are being put forward:- a Pakistani migrant who tested positive and who refused to self quarantine, instead he carried on working at at Chinese restaurant doing deliveries. Two Chinese tourists and a 60 year old farmer recently returned from China are also suspected.

The Italians are devastated and in total shock. They expected support from Europe not vilification. They cannot believe the blase approach of the other European countries. The number one question they ask is: Why aren’t they taking action?

Stage 4: Boredom

It is an unsettling time. Many are swept along by the strong emotional current and haven’t had a chance to breathe. Reality is finally sinking in and many are becoming resigned to the fact that lockdown means lockdown. The government has tightened up on movement and now travel has to be certified. People are being forced to stay at home and live with themselves. It’s make or break time for many.

This is the part where life breaks and starts again. It’s a tipping point.

After cleaning the house, cooking new recipes, doing D.I.Y, people were finally forced to look in the mirror and to examine themselves. The conclusion many reached was; be bored or evolve.

“People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own souls. One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.” ― Carl Jung, Psychology and Alchemy

Stage 5: Enlightenment

The road to transformation.

Suddenly people were seeing a golden opportunity in the darkness. Incredibly the artificial pressures of life were stripped away.

Busy was no longer good.

Busy was something they did in the past, now they had the present and before them lay some wonderful and beautiful options.

Miraculously the blindfold had been removed and they were able to stop and breathe and to see before them a new way of life. A life that embraced everything that was important, love, family, friends, nature.

They were connecting with nature in a way they had forgotten, the air was now cleaner because there were no cars, people could hear the birds sing for the first time in decades and they had started growing plants on their balconies. Those with gardens were out tending to plants and connecting in ways they had forgotten. Everyone loved it.

Families were finding a new way to connect, communicate and to appreciate their time together, they were learning to know and love each other. No longer strangers sharing a space. Now everyone mattered.

At work communication improved, people left better instructions and notes, employees felt less stressed and less under threat. Projects moved more smoothly.

Italians adapted technology to help them with the social side of life and soon people were having coffee breaks as well as meetings online. They expanded their social network, friends joined one another for aperitifs online or using apps like Houseparty they stayed connected and engaged. Whilst others used Headspace to meditate and find their direction.

But most importantly they looked at their lives and asked — What do I really want in my life?

For some the lockdown made them realize that they had just been busy and that they hadn’t really been looking after themselves.

Others realized that they didn’t need to go out every weekend with the guys and get drunk, in fact they preferred staying at home learning something new, developing themselves and saving money.

Some decided they didn’t need to go abroad to have a good time, they could have a fabulous time at home.

For many it was a chance to develop themselves intellectually, learn a language or a new skill do something they had always wanted to do but never had time.

For me it was a beautiful moment in history to witness.

Out of the darkness sprang a new light, one filled with so many inspiring emotions: power, passion, compassion, love and understanding.

Regardless of the situation three eternal truths emerged:

Connect with nature

Embrace the now

Improve the self

I hope that this will encourage you to transform your life for the better and to become the best possible version of you.

Live strong and prosper xxx

Caryn G xxx