Summary

The author reflects on the personal growth and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the shift from traditional employment to online income and the importance of gratitude.

Abstract

The article "What Coronavirus has Taught me" delves into the author's journey of self-discovery and adaptation amidst the global pandemic. Initially working as a bouncer, the author faced joblessness and frustration due to the closure of pubs and nightclubs. However, this adversity led to a transformative realization: the necessity of creating value independently of time-for-money work. The pandemic served as a catalyst for the author to seek alternative income streams online, which provided financial stability and personal fulfillment. The experience also instilled a profound sense of gratitude for the simple freedoms and privileges that were previously taken for granted. The author encourages readers to embrace a similar mindset shift, emphasizing the potential for positive change in the face of hardship.

Opinions

The author believes that the pandemic has highlighted the unreliability of traditional jobs and the importance of creating value-based income streams.
There is a strong opinion that the pandemic has been a "blessing in disguise," offering valuable life lessons and opportunities for personal growth.
The author suggests that reliance on a job (referred to as "Just over broke") is risky in an era where external factors like diseases or A.I. can abruptly end one's livelihood.
A sense of gratitude is presented as a crucial element for happiness and well-being, especially in the context of losing and regaining privileges.
The author expresses that a positive outlook on the pandemic has significantly improved their emotional wellbeing.

What Coronavirus has Taught me

Lessons in life from a global pandemic

The blessing in disguise

“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters”-Epictetus

In my circumstance, this quote is extremely valuable. I’m not claiming that I have unique tales of woe, but there are lessons to be learned from a rubbish situation.

If you haven’t adopted these lessons, then sit tight for about 5 minutes. Maybe you’ll learn something.

Before Covid-19 became a thing I was a bouncer. I worked in pubs and nightclubs, getting paid good money, and more than enjoying all the extra benefits that come with the job. But we won’t get into that…

Then the whole Coronavirus malarkey came about. Pubs and nightclubs shut down, leaving me jobless and angry.

I remained jobless and angry for quite some time and entertained thoughts about how much this whole situation sucks.

Little did I know this whole Pandemic was a blessing in disguise, and when I was finished with my initial emotional reactions to corona, I learned some seriously beneficial stuff.

The mental shift that changed my life (And may change yours)

The Coronavirus really has taught some important lessons. Here is a super relevant one for the majority of the population:

You cannot rely on a Job

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is definitely this right here. People from all over the globe have lost their jobs because of it, myself included.

This shows us clear as day, that there are no guarantees in life and work anymore.

If you have to commute somewhere, sacrificing your time for money, then chances are you seriously need to consider changing your circumstances.

Covid-19 opened my eyes to this reality. After some deep thinking, I figured that I need to figure out a way to get paid for the VALUE I provide to people. Not for how many hours I spend working, and that I need to find a way to do so, ideally from home.

After putting in the time and effort, I am earning additional income online, and I owe it all to Coronavirus. God only knows how long I would have been stuck tossing drunk people out of clubs if this pandemic never materialized.

I like to think of “Job” to stand for “Just over broke” (JOB)

And if you’re still relying on a job to earn a living, you may be in trouble if it gets swept away from you by deadly diseases or A.I, which is a very prominent threat indeed.

Seeing my only source of income at the time get taken away from me in one foul swoop, was a true revelation, and I hope it becomes one for you too.

The lesson of Gratitude

I imagine like most of the population, I took my privileges for granted. The ability to go out and see my friends and so many other rights was something I was just accustomed to.

And losing these rights made me realize how fortunate we are to even have them in the first place.

So after the epiphany that I was a blissfully unaware, aimless, and ungrateful individual, I began the practice of exercising immense gratitude for what I have in my life.

I urge anyone reading to try this, and see for yourself how much happier with life you will become.

The main takeaways

I learned of the financial uncertainty of working a job
Upon private reflection, I figured out how I can bring in money online, totally independent of anyone.
Because of my outlook on Coronavirus, my emotional wellbeing has taken a turn for the better

You can benefit from almost anything if you look for the good in a situation. This has become apparent to me and hopefully to you too.