So, the pandemic is being declared over (depending on who you speak with that is). But the pandemic created lots of destruction beyond just health. It shifted major markets and major supply chains worldwide, how we think, how we work, and where we work…just to name some.
Many people are ready to restart and are looking to thrive. But many people don’t have the experience of assessing their basics first and making sure their most basic needs are met. Why? Well, most of us grew up in a system where the basics were already handled by family, culture, tradition, or just the way the world works and how things go. The pandemic ended up being a great “status quo” buster.
To give you a better opportunity to thrive in the future, here are five of the most important basic needs that you should take into account as you transition out of the pandemic:
Physical Health: We just went through 2 and a half years of stress where many physical well-being routines were compromised. Now your physical body is 2 and a half years older, went through stress, and during some stages had limited access to well-being. Therefore, it’s highly likely that your body has suffered. Not to mention whatever long-term effects of Covid and its vaccines.
This isn’t something to ignore. Schedule a visit with your physicians and get checked out to deal with whatever your new physical health reality is. You are not going to be able to thrive ongoing by ignoring your physical health.
Mental Health: Just as our bodies went through immense physical strain, so did our mental health. I get it, my generation has gone through some traumatizing things (9-11, war, shootings), but all the aspects of Covid was something we mutually experienced. I think over time, people getting post- pandemic coaching and/or therapy will be normalized, but that’s probably years away. Don’t wait for it to be normalized or a fad, get the coaching and therapy you need now!
Spiritual: Major tragedy tends to corner people into their own spiritual beliefs. Because most of us believe in a higher power, we have to deal with “why is the awesome higher power doing this awful thing to us right now?” As you move forward, it’s hard to carry those feelings forward. Focus on accessing where you are spiritually, get supported and move forward powerfully.
Financial: The pandemic rocked many people financially and it disrupted many who aren’t used to being rocked financially. Adding insult to injury, many of the normal ways of recovering financially have also been upended. The response that I’ve seen is people being unnecessarily, overly aggressive. That is usually ok when you have your financial basic needs met. But swinging for the fences while not having basic financials in place is obviously super risky.
Get the support to be able to assess, and most importantly DEAL WITH the reality of your financial situation and work from there logically.
Friends/Family: The pandemic had an interesting effect on friends and family because it was so varied for everyone. For some it brought people together, while it split others apart. Many people relocated and office relationships became virtual or just stopped. For me, I moved to a new city months before the pandemic. And the pandemic forced me to meet a “pod” and we did everything together. And of course, the circumstances of the pandemic eased and many people in the pod went a new way or back to their old way. Either way, the pandemic may have created a grand shuffling of people in and out of your life. It’s important to assess where you are and make sure to at least to make sure your basics of family and friend interaction is being met.
