Today we have a guest blog from Jennifer Scott who writes about how Covid 19 has changed our lives.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed all of our lives in one way or another. Some changes have been by choice, others by circumstance. For many of us, these alterations have been difficult, and we’re glad they’re short-lived. For others, the pandemic has created new ways to live, work, and communicate that may have lasting long-term benefits that enrich our lives for the better! If you’re ready to explore what comes next, here are some tips to help guide you on your journey.

Communicating

While once a little-known platform, it’s hard to find anyone today who isn’t familiar with the go-to virtual meeting room known as Zoom. Social distancing and health guidelines have created numerous new ways to communicate, not only individually, but in large groups, both for work and for pleasure. People are dating online like never before; receiving virtual healthcare via tele-med services (which the Associated Press reports will actually make care better); and even joining online exercise groups, book clubs, and hosting online dinner parties. While the advent of the smartphone and other devices has been increasing screen time for many years, the more personal elements of using technology to connect have been heightened by the pandemic.

Working

In addition to remote working tools, project planning and management software, and programs to keep workplaces connected, the pandemic has forever changed how we interact across space and time. People and companies that typically work in office environments are realizing we are able to effectively work from just about anywhere on the planet and be productive without around-the-clock supervision. This has led to discussions around flexible work schedules, remote work, telecommuting options, and staggered work shifts to reduce commute times. While working from home has been difficult and isolating for some, others are finding they have a greater work-life balance than ever before.

Opportunity

While there’s no denying the pandemic has been incredibly difficult for many people on personal and financial levels, it has also opened the door to opportunities, as well. Some people displaced by job loss have opted to launch their own ventures and are finding they’re now living their most fulfilling lives!

If you’re someone who is struggling with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and are working to get your life back on track, reach out for help when you need it and give extra care to your emotional and mental health. If you’re out of work and searching for the next step, consider the benefits of becoming an entrepreneur. You might opt to monetize a hobby or parlay your professional skills into a consulting role. Put some thought into what might be your best path forward and research viable business options. And make sure to work with performance coach and business psychologist Sue Firth to develop the resilience and confidence you’ll need to succeed.

Shopping

While online shopping is nothing new, the uptick in online commerce has burgeoned exponentially during the pandemic. Many people shop almost exclusively online, buying everything from bathroom tissue to dog food, wine, and even big-ticket items like furniture and automobiles. The ease with which transactions can now take place has made it simple to shop and pay for what you need at the touch of a button without ever leaving your home. Even traditional brick-and-mortar stores are recognizing the potential longevity of this trend and are now offering a range of new products for sale online.

Entertainment

While binging television series was not brought on exclusively by the pandemic, access to virtual entertainment has expanded significantly to serve large populations isolating at home. New platforms and interactive features have emerged to keep viewers engaged, entertainers have found new ways to reach audiences in a socially distanced fashion, and the latest lines of soundbars and speakers provide theater-quality sound. Podcasts, drive-in movie theater performances, and outdoor events have grown in popularity. We’re also going outside more — hiking, biking, walking, and enjoying nature as a way to escape the confines of our homes while still remaining diligent and safe.

Food

According to Shape, even people who never liked to cook before have become amateur bakers and chefs during the pandemic — experimenting with new recipes, watching cooking shows and videos, and using meal preparation as a form of entertainment and family bonding. Others have planted gardens, nurtured windowsill herb boxes, and learned to process and store foods like sauces, jams, jellies and produce. Food has been elevated from nourishment to a way to connect, comfort, and sustain people through what many have perceived as one of the most trying times in history.

Authenticity

The pandemic has made everyone rethink what we consider to be living our authentic lives. Many people went without hairstylists and found they were able to embrace the grey hairs, the scruffy beard, and the home manicures, and realized they were perfectly happy living in stretchy, comfy clothing rather than three-piece suits, ties, and heels.  Dogs have been walked more, many kids have had an abundance of parental attention, and families have reconnected — sometimes in ways that feel “too much” but ultimately, in mostly positive ways.