Change is inevitable, that’s what we learn as we go through life. But how much have we changed over the past 18-24 months? I have read and heard multiple sources about the effects of lockdown on people; both physically and mentally, and as I’m still figuring out my own experience, I can say there are a little bit of positive as well as negative repercussions.

I asked a question on social media “Who feels like they are starting over at work or life after the COVID storm?” and while some agreed one response truly hit me “It’s funny that you’re saying ‘after’”, commented one of my friends. And she’s right, it’s not over yet, but the fact is most of us are choosing and trying to keep moving forward because simply life must go on even with a pandemic lurking in the background. We tend to want to go back to what is familiar and comfortable hence the term “get back to normal”, but the reality is so much has changed and while this situation is neither familiar nor comfortable for now, it is a path to a new normal…whatever that is. We are all maneuvering and sailing through unchartered waters here.

An unexpected event like the pandemic followed by the lockdown, something many of us are experiencing for the first time in our lives, is bound to have an impact and a significant one I may add. I know people, myself included, who are currently dealing with physical illness due to reduced level of activity and others suffering from mental and emotional trauma caused by lockdown, loss, and uncertainty to say the least. Behavior has changed; some have become less tolerant, others more aggressive, with the occasional rudeness, but some have become kinder and softer.

We are on a rollercoaster people, and some of us are screaming, others are laughing, crying, and sometimes peeing our pants (hopefully not literally 😅). But as the saying goes, what comes up must come down. One day all this will be over and the sun will come up brighter than before. That’s my belief and I choose to adopt an optimistic outlook whenever I can.

How about you? Have you given this some thought? Are you aware of how you feel? Did you explore why you feel this way? If you are unable to figure this out on your own, talk to a loved one or ask for help. It’s ok not to be ok, but you definitely don’t have to do this alone 🤍