Part II.
Wake up with a purpose: know that each day you wake up alive, you are one day closer to end of this quarantine. Everyone is sharing one self-less purpose of slowing down the outbreak. Each of our action and decision directly contributes to the length and outcome of this situation.
This situation we are in is not so much social distancing but more of physical distancing. We are fortunate to be able to stay connected with all the families and friends more than ever. How lucky are we to be able to still continue to be productive and work from home during this crisis?
Don’t let the drawbacks and negativity blind you from your biggest purpose. We are capable of distinguishing the right from the wrong actions. It is essential for us more than ever to not allow ourselves to be stuck in a negative mindset while we are already physically constrained. Use this time to slow down (not only the spread, but also) your fast pace lifestyle. For the first time in months or years, we are allowed and given the time to slow down.
Think about your other purposes and reasons in life. What are some things you wish you had the time to learn? Are there friends or family members who you’ve been meaning to reach out to but never had time to do so? Are there things you know about yourself that you want to work on or improve but did not give yourself time to prioritize those things over your daily responsibilities?
I had been biting my left cheek in my sleep for the past six months… I asked my dentist friend for a resolution but the response I got was to not stress. I thought to myself that’s much easier said than done. I didn’t know how to overcome stress.
Believe it or not, I’m not biting my cheek anymore. Given how much uncertainty there is and how much I’ve had to adapt to this situation, I could only imagine that my cheek biting habit would worsen. The past two weeks alone, I’ve come to terms with my flaws… I am aware of those who love and care about me, understanding their true intentions, accepting them as they are. I’ve found time to cook every single lunch (sometimes brunch) and dinner since I’ve been home, even with so many takeout and delivery options available. I’ve had time to plant and grow things with my boyfriend because we have been pushing it off for so long or just never wanted to find time to do it. I have found joy and calmness in small activities throughout the day — with the biggest joy of being healthy in my own home.
I remember the year when I was working remotely for the DC office. I would wake up to tons of emails and projects but everyone would be signed off by the time I signed on. So, each working day felt like a peaceful, quiet day even though I would be working on so many projects simultaneously. DC was getting ready to sleep when I was getting ready to start my work day. I was able to allocate a time during the day to exercise and get my second wind after my workout. I had my balance.
I have about two to three extra hours a day because I no longer need to commute to the office. These two hours have given me so much relief to not feel rushed to get to the office or to get home. I feel I get enough rest, have time to cook breakfast/brunch, and no longer feel overly exhausted after a work day that I’m able to cook dinner. I am happy and no longer feel guilty for the times I feel too drained to exercise after work or too tired to get up earlier for a morning work out. Honestly, it feels pretty good to be able to take care of the home. By home, I mean the wellbeing and lifestyle of myself, my boyfriend, and the physical space of our home. It feels pretty good to be flexible and adaptive enough so I’m able to complete tasks and projects reactively and proactively. It feels pretty good being able to bring income to cover monthly residential payments and have groceries to nourish and protect my health. It feels pretty good to feel like a human and being able to understand what it’s like to take care of home.
Personally, I have to come the realization of these three purposes:
- Bigger purpose — complying to physical distancing for the good of the society.
- Inner purpose — allocating time to understand myself and get in touch with what I value and the direct of my life.
- Outer purpose — the energy and perspective (from actions to words) I share with others and the impact I make on them that will in turn affect others.
Being aware of these purposes helps me look at each of my actions and words truthfully. I am in no position to comment on others when I know that there are areas in my life that I need to work on, while there is the biggest purpose I’m working toward everyday.
It is finally a time of purpose so you can get in touch with yourself, understand the impact of your actions, and be reminded of the importance of yourself and your contribution to the society.
It’s finally time to define your purpose, be well, and feel balanced again.
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