5 Lessons Quarantine Taught Me

Most of us have been in some form of quarantine, isolation, shelter-in-place, since the end of March due to Covid-19. It has been a learning experience to say the absolute least. A rollercoaster of emotions filled with a lot of questions. We’ve learned details about ourselves, families, jobs, neighbors, etc. Through all of the uncertainty quarantine 2020 taught me many valuable lessons. Lessons I’m going to carry with me forever.

1. Family Time is Non-Negotiable

Everyday “normal” life for the Jamieson household, like many American households, was a busy schedule jam packed with school, extracurricular activities, work travel, house cleaning, etc. But quarantine has reminded us how important it is to slow down and enjoy each other’s company. Going for walks around the neighborhood, dinner together every evening at the table, game nights, movie nights, etc.

I have rediscovered another level of love for my family during this time together. I’ve learned the house work and blog work can wait because some most days, hide and seek, and blowing bubbles outside is more important. I was reminded how much of a blessing it is to be a stay at home mom. And to remember scheduling family time is as important as scheduling work time.

2. Mental Health is a Priority

Many of us felt a sense of relief when the world slowed down. Even in the midst of many trying to figure out bills and finances, the realization of being overworked hit. The feeling of keeping busy to drown out the very real conversations with ourselves about our mental health.

Whether it be the people currently around us, or past traumas, our mental health hasn’t been cared for adequately. Being alone with our thoughts for so many hours forces us to confront some necessary but uncomfortable conversations. When the world “opens up” again let’s remember to care for our mental health too.

3. Discipline > Motivation:

As a blogger and stay at home mom balancing work with kids has always been my normal. With that being said, the last two months have taught me I lacked discipline despite my motivation. I have done more work in the last 8 weeks than the last 12 months combined. I listened to all the right podcasts and read all the uplifting words, but executing and remaining consistent in my execution was a direct result of my discipline. What an important realization.

This also applies to my fitness journey. I’m a firm believer in discipline will outwork motivation every single time. Some of my favorite influential people have been staying this for years and I understand it more than ever now.

4. Small Details Matter

We’ve spent Riley’s 2nd birthday, Mother’s Day, and soon to be Kris and Jordyn’s birthdays quarantined. We’ve had to get creative every single day, but especially on the special occasions. This is where the smallest of details have mattered.

This was my 5th official Mother’s Day and it was by far one of the most relaxing unforgettable Mother’s Day I’ve ever had. From beginning to end the day was filled with so many details that made my heart beyond happy. We spend so much time on the big extravagant details that we underestimate the tiny important ones. Quarantine has reminded me of the small details.

5. Speak Life Over Your Life

As stated at the beginning, 2020 has been a rollercoaster of emotions. It started off filled with optimism and words of encouragement for ourselves and others. Then the news of Kobe Bryant’s death felt like a gut punch. Even still, many of us adopted the “Mamba Mentality” way of thinking to cherish life.

Then the news of Coronavirus hit major airwaves and once again gut punched us to the reality of its’ seriousness. Not in a million years did we see ourselves quarantined at home due to a viral pandemic. It’s effected the world in so many ways most of us have lost count.

However, through all of this, what we say to ourselves and out loud still holds so much power. Many people have written 2020 off already. Some ask how could things possibly get worse? Others find the lesson and the light at the end of the tunnel to keep going. In all of these scenarios these people are correct, because they’re all speaking and manifesting their futures whether they believe it or not.

What you say and what you tell yourself is how you come to believe and be the words you speak. Speak life over your life. Life over your loved ones. Speak life over this world. So the next time you find yourself speaking about this year, and the future, make sure you’re manifesting a life you want to live today and everyday.

 

What lessons did quarantine teach you this year?