There’s no question that these are uncertain times for us all. COVID-19 and the economic crisis have shaken many of us to the core.
It’s times like these when life can seem not simply uncertain, but downright scary. However, despite the gravity of the situation, it can still be possible for you to dig deep, find meaning, and do more than just survive.
In fact, you might find this time as an opportunity to discover your true purpose in life. A crisis tends to bring things into focus and helps us to truly understand our place in the world.
Here’s how to take advantage of these uncertain times for your own personal growth.
Take a Moment to Slow Down
Depending on your situation, these days you might feel that you have almost too much time on your hands. Or, like many, there seem to be too few hours in the day at all! Taking care of the family at home while still trying to squeeze in your work has not been easy.
However, despite these challenges, it can help to slow down and pause for a moment. This time isn’t meant for relaxation per se. It’s time to reflect on yourself. You can multi-task by combining reflection with being in the shower, washing dishes, or other tasks.
Think of What Inspires You
Next, what or who inspires you? Is there a person in your life you have known or who you look up to? What about a philosophy or belief system that resonates with you? The idea is that, in uncertain times, what are the things that resonate for you at the core of your being?
Also, if you don’t have an answer to that question, it’s okay! Oftentimes in our face-paced world, it’s easy to lose sight of such things. However, with times like these, those attribute that we care about become more obvious.
Finding Meaning in Uncertain Times
Much has been written about finding meaning in uncertain times. But you don’t need a playbook for change to occur. In fact, perhaps it’s best to ignore all of that noise. Rather, focus on yourself and your experience. We each are facing this crisis in our own way. Are there things that you would rather be doing differently? Do the things that you enjoy in life bring you meaning, or don’t they? If they don’t, then perhaps it’s time to start reevaluating those aspects of your life.
Dig Deep, Finding Meaning, and Discover Your Purpose
Ultimately, there comes a moment when you have to dig deep, tap into an inner core of strength, and see what happens. This crisis might be the catalyst for taking a new turn in your life that you never realized. Suddenly, what matters to you is apparent. Everything else falls by the wayside.
This can be empowering. Instead of spending each day flailing, you may now have a new direction and focus that you never realized before.
Still, it’s perfectly fine if this realization doesn’t come to you immediately. Be kind to yourself! After all, this a pandemic. It’s not like by the end of this experience you should have everything figured out. However, if in these uncertain times you learn something new that you didn’t realize before, then that will be all the more meaningful.
Finally, living through uncertain times is certainly stressful. Yet, it can also be an opportunity to learn more about yourself. You can unlock doors that you didn’t realize were closed, and tap into your true potential. Following the tips above can help, but so can talking to a therapist as well. Consider whether individual counseling can help you discover your purpose. Reach out to today to find out how anxiety therapy can help you.
