how will your life be different post-quarantine?

How will your life look different post-quarantine? Leave your answer below and read on for how this time has changed my perspective.

Before anything else, let’s start here.

The racism, injustice, and brutality that are currently very public, but have been going on for centuries, are weighing heavy on my heart today. It’s having me ask myself hard questions (and not always liking the answers). It’s compelling me to learn and listen and grow.

This is not just a political issue, but a human issue; it’s not just one race’s issue to deal with and problem to solve, it’s everyone’s issue to deal with and problem to solve.

And it’s a spiritual issue. How can we claim to love God if our brothers and sisters are crying out, but we’re not responding? Or marginalizing their pain? My friends of color have been speaking out at a volume like never before about the racism and pain they experience daily. I should have been listening and asking and educating myself all along. I’m sorry I haven’t, and I’m committed to changing.

I’m still working on blog posts on the topic, and do address some in this post, but you can read more about my stance (to be clear: AGAINST all three) on my recent Instagram and Facebook posts.

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How will your life look different post-quarantine?

Notice I didn’t say post-pandemic – I don’t think anything in the world will be quite the same after that. (Whenever it’s actually over, that is.)

No, I mean after all this time we’re spending at home. Maybe you’re already “phasing out” and able to interact with others again, meet up with a few friends. Or maybe you’re still mostly limited to home.

This time is challenging in so many ways, and it’s teaching me so much.

It’s teaching me about myself, including the resilience I’m growing in, and the creativity I didn’t know I had. I’m learning about the way I take care of myself in times of stress, and also who I rely on to help me through.

It’s opening my eyes to my little family and my children’s characters and how we communicate. It’s helping me deal with my anxiety on this journey that doesn’t end, but seems to get a little easier as I learn to manage it.

And I’m taking a good, hard look at how I view other people, how I interact with them, and how I show compassion.

How will I be different post-quarantine?

I will be more confident.

Social anxiety shakes me hard sometimes, and I’m often quiet in social circles unless I know people there very well.

But that doesn’t represent me very well. I’m actually very friendly, supportive, and kind. I have a lot to say that is valuable (even though I don’t always believe it). And I’ve even felt beautiful and confident about myself in this season.

Life is just too short to be self-doubtful and insecure. When I go back out into the world, I want to do it with confidence.

I will really see the people around me.

That means making eye contact, smiling at people I don’t know, interacting, engaging, being vulnerable, and having compassion. It means engaging in conversations that might be uncomfortable, self-examining to see where I put up barriers between myself and others, and actively seeking justice, unity, and peace.

This season has shown me friends who are hurting, who don’t always feel heard by me. It’s shown me how far our differences can divide us, and how much pain fear and ignorance can cause.

I want to unite instead of divide, make people feel heard and safe around me, and be purposeful and intentional about my compassion and speaking up. Again, especially confronting the issues as mentioned in my opening paragraph.

I will be more patient and invested with my kids.

Quarantine has brought about close quarters and hair-pulling. (Mine.) I’ve lost my temper, fussed, even felt lost completely and emotionless. My kids have been patient with me. And even more – they always want to play, to get my attention and to be close.

Plus this time has been so full of anxiety and stress. Life is too short, again. I want to make every moment count if I can.

I’m learning their characters and how to interact with them, instead of getting frustrated that they don’t respond the way I want them to. It’s an imperfect journey, but I’m working on change here.

I will shop small.

In the past, I’ve been a deal hound. Wherever I can get the best deal, that’s where I shop. Occasionally I go out of my comfort zone to purchase elsewhere.

But seeing the closures of small businesses, the ones people have put their hearts, souls, hopes, energy, time, and money into – I want to support and put my money where my mouth is.