We are three years out of the pandemic, and it seems we are still working overtime to get 'back to normal'. Take a breath and don't judge me, but there are some things that I miss about the time of the COVID19 pandemic. Some are:
The ability to sit quietly without distractions and evaluate what's happening in your world.
Families walking or riding bicycles together on quiet deserted streets.
The work and childcare structures we [painfully] created, that allowed our home, work and family to finally blend together in some sense of harmony.
In the last couple of months, I’ve noticed that quite a few of my clients are showing up less for themselves and for what matters most to them. In my work as a coach, it appears that 'getting back to normal' is getting back to the normalcy of self-neglect in favor of work or other systems. As painful as the pandemic time was, there were some important lessons we learned that will help us live better, if we are courageous enough to stick to them.
Remember:
The work got done. There were lots of distractions at first, but we figured out how to work, be a school, and manage our household's needs.
Community and connection mattered more. We found ways to connect with each other when we couldn't physically be together. Whether through online games, family Zooms or virtual workplace happy hours, we valued ways to connect.
Attention to both our physical and mental health came to the forefront. Through the advent of online therapy, coaching and connection opportunities, we established new ways of dealing with our mental and emotional states. While most of the gyms were closed during part of the pandemic, we experienced the creativity of online workouts and dance parties where we could exercise and enjoy music together while apart (an introvert's dream).
Today, many organizations are phasing out remote or hybrid work, despite the proven benefits of productivity and employee satisfaction. Some employers may even insist on full-time office attendance, citing a desire for more face-to-face collaboration, which could negatively impact work-life balance and flexibility. And don't forget about the commute. As travel and office schedules dominate again, people may feel that their personal time is being consumed by commuting, leaving less time for family, hobbies, and rest.
As life returns to "normal" the familiar pattern of individuals becoming more self-focused and less attuned to the broader needs of their communities has returned. The heightened sense of care and solidarity we saw during the pandemic is fading in some areas.
Finally, as we return to busy work schedules and pre-pandemic norms, some of the emphasis on mental health and self-care is being minimized. The 'back to normal' fast pace of life, along with pressure to meet deadlines and resume social activities, can push mental health considerations to the background. Some of us are once again working longer hours, and throwing ourselves into a flurry of other activities, often at the expense of personal time. This outward emphasis can lead to burnout, pushing those hard-fought mental and emotional gains to the rear view mirror.
Yes, it is Q4. Yes, KPIs are on everyone's mind. Yes, the holiday season is upon us. But with all that's happening, how do we solve the issue of being too busy for ourselves? By remembering the hard lessons about self-care we learned during the COVID19 pandemic, and being courageous enough to re-implement them.
Michele Aikens is CEO & Lead Coach of Clear Sight Coaching & Consulting. You can connect with her here.
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