Doctors use a radiological method to identify what is hidden in our body. With a harmless fluid to the body and an X-ray test they can recognize tumors or cysts that would otherwise be difficult to discover. The contrast test, as it is called, would be a good metaphor to explain what we have achieved thanks to confinement. These two months at home have allowed us to identify how much we were hiding. We would not have discovered it in other circumstances.This has served to strain personal relationships. We have faced problems that were latent, but that we did not want to see. For example, we have reflected on whether the work we do is what really fulfills us, as long as we are lucky enough to continue working. With our children we have checked our patience thermometer. And, except for some lucky ones who have spent the months of confinement in really beneficial situations, most of us haven't gotten along.
In the United States, Qualtrics and SAP consulted 2,700 employees from more than 10 industries during March and April. Since the start of the pandemic , 75% of those surveyed say they feel more socially isolated. 67% admit to suffering more stress, while 57% feel greater anxiety. Another 53% say they are more emotionally drained , according to an article published by the Harvard Business Review. It has not been a pleasant month. However, bad times offer a unique learning opportunity. These circumstances push us to face the test of contrast between what we are and our reality, both of what we like and what bothers us. Let's see some experiences that we have been able to extract:
- Learn to live with less and focus on what's important. During confinement we have had to cope with what we had. Possibly, we have realized that you can live with fewer things than we imagined. Others that seemed very important have disappeared in one fell swoop. Confinement has helped us change our priorities. “When all this happens, I want to have time for mine; reconcile my personal life more with work ”or“ I realize how little I need to be well ”are some of the expressions that I have heard repeatedly during the last weeks. This forced stop has allowed us to realize what we are like when we are without the gas pedal and to value family, friendship and small moments, which previously went unnoticed.
- Get to know each other with emotionality. Tempers have twitched during confinement. We have seen all kinds of reactions. Some have decided to stay in constant anger, as observed on social networks, which are on fire. But there are also those who have used it to connect with their vulnerability. In the first case, learning will be more difficult because little is learned from anger. It is worth looking at what path we have taken and how it has affected our personal relationships during these months.
- Dust off old dreams. Many people have reconsidered recovering past projects. Some people realize that what they really want is to study again that opposition whose notes he kept in a drawer or who, due to circumstances, has to reinvent himself. Others question where to live, if they will continue to telework when all this ends or they think about recovering a hobby that they had parked. The pandemic has confronted us with the notion of time. It is the perfect time to recover many simple dreams that we leave behind.
Read more blogging topics and follow us on Flipboard.
