I finally got to the movies last weekend as there was one film I was curious about. Ironically, it was called Locked Down. It was only a matter of time before someone made a movie about 2020. But it also got me thinking about the different coping mechanisms each person employed to handle the situation of being locked down; either with family or on their own.
As more and more countries emerge from the year that was 2020, things may look and feel a little different in the short term as the world readjusts. While many people and organisations have focused on the negatives that year brought, there are many more positives we can learn from being locked down.
You may feel like you have lost a lot in the past year and a half, but when you think about it – have you really? You may have come to realise that the things, obligations and people you have been holding onto were really not that key to your happiness after all. Those obligations may have contributed to your distress.
As we move through 2021, it is important first acknowledge and accept the year that was. The past year set the scene for understanding yourself, your values and what really does not add value to your happiness anymore and have been held you back.
The following questions will help you to assess what is important in your life to move forward. Most importantly, these questions will allow you to decide the things, people and obligations which you need to let go of to be truly happy and live your best life.
🧡. What have you lost this year that you cannot get back?
🧡. What did you lose that you feel excited to get back?
🧡 What did you lose that you do not ever want to get back?
🧡 What has been an unexpected blessing?
🧡 What is possible now that was not possible a year ago?
🧡 What has changed in you over the past year?
Quite often the things which hold you back are obligations expected of you by family or friends. Yet it is those vey obligations which can stop you living your best life.
If removing that thing, person or obligation from your life is not completely possible, for example it may be a work colleague who continually drains your energy, work on a strategy to minimise your exposure or learn how to manage that relationship.
The year 2020, whichever way you look at it, may have turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It gave us the opportunity to stop, slow down and think about our priorities in life. The opportunity to think about what is really important in life.
As it turns out, most people have established that time with family, loved ones and friends are key to their happiness and wellbeing.