Social Isolation Can Bring Humanity Together

We have a unique opportunity to change our life narrative

How you respond to the mandatory call for social isolation matters. So, do not be passive. You have a unique opportunity to rewrite some rules and change your life narrative. Social distancing should not be an act of passivity. We must be more involved in our lives than ever before.

Contrary to how life feels for many people, the world is not falling apart. The world is shifting and reshaping. We have the biggest say in how our personal lives shift. First, we must admit that our lives were off-course and priorities were not in the proper place.

Seeing Beyond the Chaos

Most of our silent wishes are happening right now. We wanted more time with family. We’ve held envy for people who work from home. Eating fast food during the workday was unhealthy. We needed to think more consciously about the food we put in our shopping carts and make time to eat well. We’ve sat in on our couch for too long instead of taking walks.

The world is testing out solutions to social problems right now. Until now, many employees were denied the opportunity to work from home. Teachers have begged parents to be proactive in educating their children. People used religious attendance, gym memberships, and organization responsibilities to avoid or criticize one another.

Now, we are all stuck in the same boat. Social isolation can bring humanity together. We don’t have to go back to our dysfunctional ways of living, loving, and working. Before this pandemic ends we must see beyond the panic and worry about finances. If we can appreciate this opportunity to reset our lives, humanity will be uplifted.

Were You Really Happy?

The big question the universe has thrown in our faces is “If all you have is what you have created, can you be happy?” If you are unhappy right now, get honest with yourself. We are in a period of life assessment. Our lives are calling for family, work, and spiritual upgrades.

Career. If your income has come from one source and you struggled between paychecks, entrepreneurship may be calling. Or, maybe you can consider going back to school to earn a higher degree and succeed in your desired profession. When the mind shifts from paying bills to finding purpose, how you approach finances changes.

Family. If avoidance or dominance has been your response to family issues, you have an opportunity to redirect your response. Perhaps you best tolerate your partner if you don’t see them for 10 hours a day. Your marriage needs work. Your extended time together may give you the togetherness you need to work through the problems you have been ignoring. You have time to talk through your visions of a healthy marriage. You don’t have to just wish for a quick return to tolerance through absence.

Spirituality. If attending worship service is your only touch point to God, the universe now invites you to discover spirituality. Many people’s relationship with God has been developed only through cultural tradition or social expectations. Here is an opportunity for a spiritual awakening. You can talk to God and worship alone. Doing so will likely strengthen your relationship with the creator as you ask for spiritual guidance. You can read books on spirituality instead of limiting yourself to traditional Holy books.

Fitness. Social isolation restrictions have interfered with many people’s fitness program. But many people were not meeting their fitness goals. Gyms are full of distractions and bad examples of workouts. A workout makeover will stimulate the brain for better fitness results. For people new to working out, pretend you meant it when you said you didn’t work out because you didn’t have time. Make time now.

Health. Use social isolation to take better care of yourself, starting with eating and sleeping. You have no need for fast food while you are at home and you should be able to get proper sleep. You have a chance to give your body the food and rest that is healthy. You can negotiate naps with your family if that makes you more productive at home. The same goes for your children. Avoid making your children stick to the unhealthy rigor of the school day. Your small class size and individual attention mean they can get more done in a shorter time. Let your children sleep late for their health.

Responsibility. Many people get involved in commitments they come to despise. But, they don’t know how to say no or remove themselves. Now that you have a hiatus, you can ease out. Wherever your needs are not being met, prepare your respectful resignation. Serving on boards, committees, book clubs, hiking groups, or poker nights can create unnecessary stress. Do not resume the activities that stifle your joy.

Healing. Unaddressed trauma festers, but finding time to address trauma is a challenge in our fast-paced world. Often, addressing trauma means yielding to pain as you bring the past into the present to find resolve. Life is usually interrupted. Most survivors just live with permanent pain rather than open themselves to life-disruption to heal the pain. If sufficient emotional support is available, now may be the ideal time to open yourself to vulnerability.

Finding Your Authentic Self

If we are ready to change our life scripts, we can find joy in uncertainty. Instead of being sad because we see the sadness in the world, we can focus on being our best selves so that we can hold space for the world to reset and upgrade. Right now, the world could use much more individual responsibility and less public judgment.

The uncertainty of our lives can make us yearn for safety and familiarity. If we yield to that, we will miss opportunities for growth and discovery. We have an invitation to become our most authentic selves only if we create more room in our lives for discomfort. The authentic self is he or she who stands in the present with full presence. When you refuse to be discounted and minimized by limiting life scripts, you discover the authentic self.

After the frantic panic

Healthy social isolation should start with the mind, not the body. In order to discover who you are you have to undiscover, unlearn, and unknow what you have come to believe. Live bravely, despite your fears. Love yourself with understanding and compassion so that you can hold that space for others. A focus on self is not selfish. It is essential because it frees everyone around you from your demands. Without your demands, others can also find their authentic self.

References

Bakari, R. (2020). Finding My Happy Place in a Time of Uncertainty. Medium. https://readmedium.com/finding-my-happy-place-in-a-time-of-uncertainty-41c1efeb3d66.

Corona, A. (2020). 11 Hypothesis on How Life May Change in a Post-Pandemic World. Medium. https://uxdesign.cc/11-hypotheses-on-how-life-may-change-in-a-post-pandemic-world-ce3738278429.