I realised that before rushing back into the joy of “normal life” following the great pause that is the pandemic, we should be asking ourselves: How have I changed over these past 2 years?
Around this time 2 years ago, together, in every corner of the world, we witnessed our lives take a significant shift. The pandemic changed the world almost overnight…a curveball beyond our imagination, something most of us weren’t prepared for. How could we prepare for something like “the great pause,” a major unexpected event that would turn our lives upside down?
As we're seeing the world beginning to open up again slowly, with restrictions being lifted in many countries and things starting to “go back to normal,” I keep coming back to the question: How can we possibly go back to “normal” when so much has changed?
But as much as I am thrilled, I’ve realised and even accepted that with all that’s happened, there’s no “going back to normal” for me. I’m not the same Ruthie I was before the pandemic.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement when jumping back to the life we knew pre-pandemic… a life we had and felt was somehow “robbed” from us almost instantly. But as much as I am thrilled, I’ve realised and even accepted that with all that’s happened, there’s no “going back to normal” for me. I’m not the same Ruthie I was before the pandemic. I’ve seen how much I’ve changed over these past 2 years, and I’ve discovered so much about myself which has without a doubt changed me deeply. The past 2 years have given me a chance to experience myself on a deeper level without any external distractions.
Here’s what I’ve learned about myself during the “great pause” …
I’m a lot more introverted than I thought I was. I’ve always considered myself an ambivert, and that’s still true. But in this chapter of my life, I've realised that I need a lot more space for my introverted side.
Moving slow is medicine. When I move slow in my life and in my business, I feel better, I make better decisions and I feel more present in my life and in my body.
I’ve come to learn and understand the difference between friends and acquaintances. This has helped me clear up a lot of my mental and emotional space, feelings of guilt, as well as actual time.
I enjoy having A LOT of space in my daily life, work, calendar, and in my relationships. This gives me a lot of time to just be and to meditate on my purpose and personal goals.
This new version of me is a lot more choosy about social interactions, relationships, business collaborations, and that’s okay. If something isn’t truly aligned with where I'm at, my frequency, my priorities, and my goals…I choose to let it go, without judgement.
It's ok to be out of the loop. I enjoy not knowing what's going on all the time or what people are up to, I like being in my own loop a lot.
My personal goals are a non-negotiable for me. After a lifetime of people pleasing, self-sacrificing and putting others first, I'm at a stage in my life where I'm laser focused on my goals. The pandemic and time alone without distractions helped me commit to myself in a deeper way.
Having enough time with yourself can help you get clear on what your goals and priorities are.
It can also show you where you've previously gotten stuck in people pleasing, overthinking, overwhelm, and feeling burdened by the weight of so many different expectations.
Here are some clarifying questions to get you thinking about your own growth over these past two years:
What have I learned/discovered about myself over these past 2 years?
What is my next big step/next chapter in my life?
What's holding me back from taking action towards my goals?
Now that you’ve started being curious about how you’ve changed over these past 2 years, big or small…I want to remind you that you owe it to yourself to embody your learnings and insights about yourself into actions. Commit to finally putting yourself first and to taking the necessary actions so you can take your next big step in your life. It all starts with making that unwavering commitment to yourself.
In my work, I offer my clients support and accountability on how to achieve their next big goal, teaching them how to prioritise themselves without overthinking, overwhelm, and burnout.
My goal through the Self-Leadership 1.0 Group Coaching Program is to provide a dynamic and safe space for women of colour, daughters of immigrants, and first generation achievers so they can now start taking powerful action towards the next chapter of their lives.
I offer FREE discovery calls for those who are interested and looking to see if we’re a good fit. If this is something you or anyone you know might be interested, click here to book your call with me today.
What changes have you learned about yourself? Comment down below or leave a message over on my Instagram page.
Big love,
Ruthie