The year 2020 was for many people a disaster. People lost their income and a large part of the year restaurants and cafes could not open their doors to the public. Kids changed to home schooling and university students had no choice than to study online. You could not travel unless it was essential. Several countries closed their borders, and many citizens are on waiting lists to return.
We stopped hugging and kissing, started wearing masks and dozens of people got ill. For some getting Covid was a breeze while others are still fighting the aftereffects. The year 2020 – a year that many wish to forget and instead set our hopes for 2021.
So far the year 2021 is not proving to be any better. Where I live, we are still wearing masks and all cafes and restaurants seem eternally shut. Non-essential shops are closed, re-open and are forced to close again. Certain parts of big shops are a no-go area.
The year 2020 seems to go on
We may think the pandemic is more or less over, but the little corona critter is a champion at mutating. More contagious corona strains are looming and are waiting to spread as soon as borders loosen their restrictions. Some countries keep their borders closed but in Europe it seems that travel, albeit under certain conditions will be easier for the summer months to come.
It is understandable as for instance South European countries are close to bankrupt. They need tourist income, and the hospitality industry all over needs a huge boost. Certain age groups have been vaccinated while others are still waiting. Test labs will continue churning out the PCR test results as many countries require that as a condition of entry.
The fact that travel will be easier is an attractive thing but also very worrying. The Indian virus is only one flight away from entering Europe. In fact, supposedly it is already in a few European countries. So if travel is allowed it may reach other countries and it will start all over again.
It must be very hard to be a leader nowadays because whatever they do, it could be the wrong decision. The bottom line is that many people have had enough and are ignoring the restrictive rules more and more. Yet the danger of corona spreading further is not a thing of the past.
It is also interesting to see how Europa suddenly has become a continent with individual countries again. Every country seems to have different rules and criteria. Restaurants are open in one country while others are still in lockdown.
How to adapt your lifestyle
Despite all what happened in the year 2020 and seems to continue in 2021, we can still make the most of it. When you can’t sit on a terrace, you can have a picnic outside or with bad weather inside your own house. If there is a curfew, do things during the day. If the travel limit is 10 km, find a nice hike within that distance.
There are always options although you may have to be flexible and resourceful to see them. The issue is whether you are willing and capable of doing this. If you are struggling to find a way to adapt to the unexpected and ‘forced upon us’ circumstances, it may help to reach out and seek advice.
If you, as a result of the pandemic find yourself stuck professionally, emotionally or in any other way, get guidance and let us help you find a way out.
Easy Done Change can help you to deal with change.
If you want to discuss this further, contact us to schedule a 30 minutes FREE call
I would be thrilled if you take the effort to leave me a comment or even better share my article!
So true, Marijke, we must frame our thoughts in a positive way, focusing on what we can do, not what we can’t do! This is the only way to find inner peace.
You hit the nail right on its head and yet many people seem find it hard to do this!
I think change is always hard…we get into a routine and when we are told we can’t do something, it’s a hardship. Yet finding the good in everything is truly much better for us.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
We got and maybe still get some good lessons during the pandemic. Thank you for your comment, Jodie.
It does indeed feel like 2020 is dragging on! Great post Marijke, the message I’m taking is that we are not going back to normal soon, we have to build our resilience, practice gratitude and, even though it’s incredibly annoying, keep being COVID safe.
Thank you Yasmin! To be honest I hope we are not going back to normal. I honestly feel that the pandemic is nature talking to us and that we need to make changes to how we treat our world.
Great article! It’s been so important to remain flexible and creative during all of this.
You are right. I feel so blessed to be able to have the right mindset to deal with the consequences of the pandemic.
It’s so frightening-what we’ve gone through and what could be next, but we have to try and remain positive. I was blessed that we all remained healthy and two of my children even came home for extended periods. We never would have had this time with them so for me it was a wonderful treat. Honestly, some of the changes made during this time should remain in effect -we need to be cautious both with our world and with one another.
It must have been nice and also hard to have your kids at home. I agree with you that certain changes would be for the best if permanently.
2020 has definitely adjusted my priorities but it also gave me a new appreciation of what I hold so dearly in my life.
Finding the silver lining in 2020 was what I thought about every day.
That is so true and it was the same for me. It made us realise how to be happy with and make the most out of what we did have or could do. It was a year of reflection and seeing the positive. I like the silver lining!