During the start of the pandemic, and right at its peak when the most deaths occurred, it felt like the world as we knew it was ending.
The situation was dire and it was escalating too quickly for people to get a handle on it. It led people to re-examine whether what they spent their time doing was really worth it. For instance, employees questioned whether their time was best spent working in jobs that were not fulfilling. They questioned their priorities. They quit their jobs, saw their businesses go bankrupt, or set up new ones. People hunkered down and stayed in quarantine.
The crisis of a world that was ending
During the crisis, there was uncertainty, and the feeling of not knowing whether there would be a tomorrow. No one was prepared for a world thrown in turmoil when the death count started to rise rapidly.
It felt like the apocalypse, and everyone was stressed out, waking up everyday in a life or death situation. Days were unpredictable. Doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers were burnt out, as well as most other people who had families to take care of and jobs to juggle (if they were lucky enough to have a job).
Just like any catastrophe that rocks the world unexpectedly, many predicted that doomsday was near. There was widespread panic as people stockpiled supplies and food, not knowing whether there would be enough for everyone to survive. Businesses that shut down had to lay off masses of employees.
We had to keep hope alive and trust that it would get better.
So if it’s the end of the world, what did people try to do?
They stocked up on supplies.
They stayed in touch with family and their loved ones.
They didn’t give up on hope.
People prepared for doomsday. It was chaos. There was panic buying as people stocked up on essentials and emptied the shelves at some grocery stores. If they imagined that the world was about to end, for several moments, it was a not-so-distant reality. School boards shuttered their schools to stop the spread of the virus and almost all travel halted. Many were unable to see their loved ones because the travel ban shut down major airports.
The post-pandemic era
Now that it’s been four long years since the start of the pandemic, the world has undergone a seismic shift and it hasn’t been the same ever since.
At the fourth anniversary of the start of the pandemic, many are reflecting and looking back at the lessons learned.
For instance, the pandemic brought to light many inequalities that plague society, such as the inequality for access to vaccines. There were efforts to make access to healthcare more equitable.
There were many deaths, but also many instances where people went beyond what was expected of them, to help out others in need. If there was ever a situation where people needed to work together, it was the pandemic.
Keep calm and carry on was advice you’d hear but didn’t pay close attention to. If there was ever a time to keep calm, it was during the height of the pandemic. It was a close call. Without people working together, the fear and the crisis could’ve been much worse.
How has work changed since the start of the pandemic?
During the pandemic, if they were lucky enough to keep their business going, employers are pressured to pay employees more, with better benefits and better work-life balance. The more unfortunate ones had to close their business.
Employees embraced remote work and a more flexible lifestyle. It allowed them to be more present with their young children, and for caregivers to look after elderly parents.
Lessons learned from the pandemic
People thought about what they regret, and what they wished they would’ve done when they still had the time.
The pandemic taught us to re-evaluate your priorities. What matters the most to you? What is most important? Are you more satisfied with your work life? Personal life? If not, it’s time to change things around.
Don’t wait for a disaster for you to realize that you have to live life to its fullest. Tell the most important people in your life that you love them. Make the most out of your short time on earth. There’s nothing like a major disaster to make you question your priorities. The things you thought were important suddenly don’t matter anymore.
The pandemic transformed the world in the space of a few days, and it could just as easily change again. Something unpredictable could happen that no one was prepared for.
It’s possible that after the pandemic, everything would go back to the way that it was. But don’t let yourself settle into complacency again. Take action and do every little thing you keep putting off. You’re alive, and it’s something to be tremendously grateful for.