Has your sense of purpose changed since the beginning of the pandemic? For some of us, being away from the hustle and bustle of daily life has made it easier to pinpoint what we liked and didn’t like from our pre-pandemic lives. Have you found something about your job, social interactions, or hobbies that you wanted to change when you had some time to slow down? Many people have gotten the chance to reflect on what really gives life meaning, and how to ensure that we re-enter the world better positioned to keep our lives full of purpose.
Work Life
The changes that quarantine brought to our professional lives certainly presented us with new options on how to work, and raised questions about what setup works the best for each of us.
For some people, connecting with others at the office was sorely missed, while for others who enjoy working independently, the work from home setup was a step in a positive direction. Those who were laid off from corporate positions got a chance to evaluate if the high-powered life was for them, and how to move forward. People who stayed in those corporate jobs needed to figure out how to stay connected and productive while working remotely. Some companies are offering the chance to decide whether or not to return to full-time office work as the world reopens, and deciding if that path works for you is a big decision.
Many corporate workers also have been considering the values of the companies for which they work — are their employer’s values in alignment with their own personal values? Workers may want to move to a different department where they believe they can have more impact, or perhaps move to another company that better fits what they feel is important.
There were others who realized that they wanted to try an entirely different path, and have been exploring new avenues. For those people, leaving the corporate world may have been quite a shock, but pursuing a new path that has more meaning can be worth the upheaval. Realizing that some jobs were just filling time and serving as a safety net has led some Americans to start anew with small business ideas or nonprofit endeavors. The sense of purpose found in those new ventures can bring new meaning to everyday life. While many people have found a continuing sense of enjoyment in their company’s purpose and have reaffirmed the fit they felt at their current job, it is also valuable to consider what might be a betterfit.
Social Life
Living a purpose-filled social life is very important to our mental health. As we re-enter our social circles, notice which people make you feel the best when you spend time with them. Which friends did you miss the most during the pandemic, and who did you keep in touch with the most during quarantine? When you are finally free to reunite with everyone, who do you call first? Make sure those important people know how much you care, and keep up the effort in those friendships. So much purpose is found in deep personal connections that truly have meaning to both people.
On the other hand, were there any relationships in your life that came to a natural end as a result of being apart due to Covid? Perhaps those people just weren’t the right fit for you at this point in your life, or perhaps you didn’t find a deeper purpose in your interactions. Sometimes letting a friendship go can make more room for those who do fill your life with meaning.
Volunteering for a great cause
Finding a renewed sense of purpose is one way to avoid the harmful effects of loneliness, anxiety, and depression, which have been significant problems for so many during the pandemic. Feeling isolated and unsure of what to do next has caused mental as well as physical ailments to increase, and one way to combat those issues is by working toward a fresh reason to be inspired. Finding a cause that you support and feel passionate about is a great way to bring fresh purpose into your daily life, as well as meet new similar-minded friends! What inspires you or makes you want to make a difference?
Let us know how you’re bringing purpose into your post-pandemic life in the comments!
