A lot has changed in the world as isolation has been implemented throughout much of the world. With this change we have heard talk of the long term change we might see in response. We have already seen some of the short-term change come to places like Venice where the water has gone clear again thanks to the reduction of traffic on its canals. Wildlife has also been spotted across a number of cities as the reduction in high speed metallic objects has occurred. These are promising signs that hopefully will inspire the world to realise that we can turn the world around and reconnect with the nature.But when the world returns to normal, will the people of the world set a new standard and send the world on a new and better trajectory?
In this post I want to talk about what I think people should do now, in isolation to set themselves on a better track.
There has been a lot of talk about making our time in isolation productive. With all this time stuck inside all day, why shouldn’t you be writing that book or starting your side hustle? Along with this there has also been the message of don’t worry this is a scary time, feel free to do nothing and focus on what makes you happy. I’m somewhere in-between the two views. While I don’t think you have to be uber productive, I also don’t think you should just numb life through binge watching television and eating poorly.Instead I think we should focus on our mental health through proper reflection and analysis.
Health which is the foundation of everything and is made up of physical, social and mental. Starting with the analysis of my mental health is something I have implemented while in isolation. Looking into my life to uncover what events have shaped who I am today and taking time to think about what I actual want in life and not what we are told to want.
Upon the recommendation from Jordan Shanks the first task is to write your autobiography. Starting from when you were born, write down every memory you can think of right up until the present. If you do this for 30 minutes every day you will soon have a strong understanding of all the situations that have affected you and developed you into who you are. Make sure you don’t censor anything and write how you felt in each situation. Some early memories will be just from stories you have been told but include it all.
This should help to give you perspective on why you react the way you do to situations. It has definitely unraveled some truths about me that I hadn’t ever thought about.
Next I think it’s worth contemplating the quote “He is richest who is content with the least,for content is the wealth of nature.” This is how I am training myself to think. Our world is built around consumerism but does it make you happy?Take some real time to analyse your thoughts on this. Living by this quote also makes me believe that everything you decide to do has come from a true place. One that wants to improve the world for others because you are already happy with what you have. I am far from perfect and there is always things I feel would add to my life but end up not.
Becoming content with what you have in our day and age can be difficult. Social media like Instagram is constantly showing us the best bits of everyone’s lives and this makes it very easy to look at your own life as a failure. No matter what cool stuff you have or are doing there is always someone cooler. To initially get out of this frame of thinking you will most likely have to stop using social media for period of time. I know I used to feel annoyed because I would watch vloggers on YouTube like Logan Paul who seemingly have everything. But recently I did something interesting. I analysed the actual things he did that I felt envious of and realised I had everything he has. Because everything really came down to good company and having adventures together. So now when I watch his videos, I don’t feel sad because I feel like I’m missing out. I’m instead inspired to do interesting activities with my friends.
So, to use isolation in a healthy but productive way. Start by looking inward. Analyse your past to better understand who you are as a person and why you are like you are. Then work to develop a content mindset that doesn’t get affected by other people’s success but instead wants to see improvement in the areas of your life that matter.