How Covid Has Made Us Reflect on Adulthood
It’s a strange time. It’s only normal for us to rethink and appreciate certain things.
When March 2020, no one would have expected to be in a global pandemic, let alone one that would last over a year. When life has an unexpected drastic change like this, it makes sense that it would force us to rethink certain aspects of our life.
For many of us, we had to change living spaces, make career and financial adjustments and adapt to being more lonely than we are used to. On the other hand these changes could make us reshape our mindset for a better future and be more proactive to achieve the life we want.
Here are some common themes that have us shifting our mindset:
- Family — If you had no choice but to move back with your family, you might be looking at your parents or siblings differently. This was the most amount of time I had spent with my family before leaving for college. As much as I want to think my parents are perfect, living with them as an adult has made me see their flaws, but also accept them. This time might make us appreciate our family more. So many people have lost loved ones to a deadly virus and couldn’t even say goodbye in person. As much as we might not have wanted to move back home, we should appreciate the family we have living and also the ability to be with loved ones at this time.
- Self — what other time for self-reflection than now? This is a time where our everyday lives have changed. Maybe no more commuting or hanging out with friends and this has caused us to spend time with ourselves maybe more than we want. Maybe we realize that we didn’t like our lives pre-covid or maybe even ourselves. What can we do to change that and how to we want to live post covid?
- Hobbies — With an increase of down-time, I hope you got the chance to tap into a hobby you never had time for. This could be as simple as making new recipes or taking that online fitness class. Maybe you got the chance explore multiple hobbies and finally found one that stick. Either way, I am a believer that if more people had hobbies we would not have so much chaos and hate in the world. Find a hobby and mind your business!
- Loneliness — Being lonely isn’t a great feeling but sometimes it is necessary. As much as we try to hide away from our emotions we need to just feel them. If you are feeling normal it is normal. Take this time to journal why you are feeling lonely and if there are any necessary steps you need to make. Or just cry and feel the emotion! You will have more clarity and relief after.
- Career — Whether you got laid off or if you are feeling undervalued at your current job, maybe it’s time to reflect what you want from a company and what you are willing to put up with. Our time is too valuable to be underpaid and not appreciated. We spend on average 8 hours a day at work. There is no way we should allocate that amount of time doing something with hate or working for a company who does not value your time.
- Finances — It has been a tough year. Millions of Americans experienced unemployment and the aid from our government is highlighting many issues of income inequality. If you have the privilege, you may have been able to save or invest at this time. Maybe this time has showed you that you need to step up your emergency fund and adjust your budget. I hope if you need assistance that there are systems or people that can help during this time and if you are not experiencing financial restraint, take this moment to be grateful and reflect if you need to make any changes so you can avoid a financial disaster.
- Relationships — We you are literally forced apart from the people you know, you have to make an effort. I hope that you checked in on the people you love and that they did the same. I hope your relationships grow stronger at this time and that you appreciate the people around you more. I hope this energy and love is reciprocated, and if it isn’t, I hope that you realize your worth and cut out relationships that no longer serve you even if it hurts.
- Ethical Action and Activism — With the protests after George Floyd, it seems like many have been wanting to take the steps to be better allies and change the racist systems and ideas we have in place. Maybe this looks like speaking up more, donating or buying from minority-owned businesses. Whichever you choose, make sure you continue the work. Racism isn’t going to go away overnight.
- Slowing Down — If you’re in New York City you are probably accustomed to the “go, go, go” culture. Every second of your day is filled and you feel like you never have time. But now that a pandemic has literally made us stop in our tracks, maybe it’s a wake up call that if we slow down its okay. And when we slow down lets appreciate whats in front of us instead of always looking ahead.
In this episode, the So-Called Oreos discuss their relationships with family and finding out that parents are not perfect. Rachel explains how she has coped with living full time with a romantic partner, Kia’s situation makes her realize she has to live alone and Amari gets personal about losing her aunt during Covid. The topic of being unemployed highlights the way the Oreos’ career goals have shifted before they discuss what they have gained and how they have matured during these tough times.
The So-Called Oreos Podcast is available on all podcast platforms! Please support by rating, following and leaving a review!
Join us on Discord!: discord.gg/d3RrepdTdQ
So-Called Oreos Club: www.joinclubhouse.com/club/so-called-oreos
Email: socalledoreos@gmail.com
Twitter: @socalledoreos
Instagram: @socalledoreos
Facebook: www.facebook.com/socalledoreos/
YouTube: bit.ly/3nutxC2
Audience Survey: bit.ly/2vOYtH9
