The past two or three years have felt like something of a blur -- a weird dream of sorts that we can't seem to wake up from. We'd never before experienced a pandemic in our lifetimes, and neither had our parents or likely even our grandparents. Between lockdowns and social distancing/mask mandates, COVID-19 seemed the perfect recipe for isolation and all of the adverse outcomes that spring from it, including anxiety and depression.
Now, this isn't to say that we've all felt helplessly lonely during these rather unusual times. Introverts -- those like me who recharge through solitude -- have welcomed with open arms some of the changes brought on by the pandemic. Among them are wider acceptance of staying home rather than partying out, people settling for WhatsApp video conversations vs. face-to-face encounters, and, at last, companies giving employees the flexibility to work from home regularly.
Still, the more extroverted folks among us who relish in-person connections have been left reeling after a prolonged period of never-ending GIFS, emojis, and memes. The good thing is that the world has largely opened up again, with COVID beginning to fade in the rear-view mirror. What's more, the hybrid working model, by all accounts, is here to stay, which is a plus for those seeking to retain the flexibility to work from home.
But you might find that the pandemic has caused the relationships in your life to lose their shine quite a bit. Perhaps you've let yourself go, your apartment is a hot mess, or your career has stagnated. It can be hard to know what to do in order to snap out of this funk.
My advice to my readers: Start by losing yourself in the pursuit of flow.
Flow is a state of mind in which a person becomes fully immersed in an activity. For you, that might involve writing, reading, painting, fishing, solving crossword puzzles, or communing with nature. I've found that by getting the juices flowing in one particular activity -- one about which you're passionate -- it broadens your horizons when it comes to the areas where you feel stuck and utterly deflated.
For example, your penchant for stargazing might inspire you to launch a blog devoted to space that attracts a huge following. Your interest in learning a new language may prompt you take classes at a local college, where you end up making lifelong friends or meeting the love of your life.
Mind you, inducing a state of flow is certainly not a panacea for all of the problems we face, but it's a start. Think of it as the hub of a wheel, with the spokes representing the different areas in our lives that can be ameliorated. And once you feel you've mastered this pastime, increase the level of difficulty so as to keep you engaged and challenged.
While no substitute for treatment, a state of flow can take your mind off of the things and people that cast a cloud over your life, if temporarily. It also opens you up to new ideas and possibilities, whether in your career or relationships. In the process, you build self-confidence and form a stronger, happier version of yourself.
Our passions make life worth living. Whatever it is that lits your soul ablaze, throw yourself into it wholeheartedly. You don't want to look back and lament that you spent too much time on things that did little to enhance your life.
You deserve to be happy, but it's important you focus on the things that will put you on the pathway to a fulfilling life.
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