Something that we can all agree on is that COVID-19 will forever change us and the world around us. For some, it is a time to realize their goals and for others, it is a time to start anew. Self-improvement may seem like an impossible feat right now because of the situation.
However, you make the necessary preparations in order to create a better life for yourself after the pandemic has passed.
Go back to school
If there is one thing that the pandemic has taught us, it is that you can lose your job at a moment’s glance. Millions of Americans unexpectedly lost their jobs in the past two years. What’s even worse than losing your job is finding out that many companies are either on a hiring freeze or have an influx of applicants. Studies found that there are ten million fewer jobs now since the start of the pandemic.
While it is not impossible, finding a new job in this economy is extremely difficult. You are competing with many others that could have more experience or have a better resume. If you previously worked in a low-wage job, then you likely want to find a better career that pays more. However, this can be difficult if you came with a position that had low requirements. To help get yourself out of your current situation, you can consider getting a better education.
Many companies still look at educational requirements despite years of experience. You don’t necessarily have to take a four-year degree. One or two-year diploma programs and trade schools can be just as good. To land in a better-paid career, try looking into tech and business school programs. These are often short and more specialized than a bachelor’s degree.
Adopt healthy practices
Another way that you can improve yourself is your health. You don’t actually need fancy things like a gym or a personal chef to become healthy. Studies say that it can take as little as one day to create or break a habit. That means if you do something consistently for over two weeks, then your body starts getting used to doing it. It makes adjustments to your lifestyle easier and easier.
It doesn’t have to be anything major. Since it may be hard to find motivation with the current situation, you can start by making small changes. You can do short exercises every day. Body weight exercises require no equipment and can be easily done at home. Repeating a few reps every day can make a difference for someone who is rarely active.
Changing your diet is another way to improve your health. If you are someone who eats a lot of junk food, then you can gradually reduce the number of chips and candy that you take. What some people do is stop eating a certain food for a few weeks. After that time, they find that they no longer have the same cravings as they did before.
For those with vices like smoking and drinking, this can also be a time for you to take steps to quit. One of the hardest things about quitting these habits is the fact that you see other people doing it. Since most of us are social distancing at home, it is easier to resist the urge if you don’t see other people drinking or smoking.
Meditate on yourself
Are you someone who always feels insecure or anxious? Improvement isn’t just about doing something new, but it can also be reflecting on yourself. You can use this time to meditate and find your confidence again.
A lot of times, it is our own thoughts that are telling us we are not good enough. Meditation can help you change that mindset. You have to take an active effort to say positive things about yourself every day. It can be something small like how your clothes fit that day or something. Another thing you can do is to try to discover all the good qualities about yourself.
Social media plays a big role in our insecurities because we often compare ourselves to the highlights of others. During the pandemic, you can try to distance yourself from those websites that make you feel bad. Fill your time doing something else that makes you feel better about yourself. It also gives you time to reassess your priorities in life.
The pandemic may be just what you need to restart your life and find something better for yourself. It will be a difficult task, but the rewards will be worth it later on.
