How Do We Come Out Of This Pandemic Stronger?
This pandemic is a traumatic event. We might feel a little weird using the word “trauma” if we haven’t gotten sick or we are not a healthcare professional working on the frontlines.
But what is trauma? It’s when a highly stressful and shocking event occurs and our ability to cope is affected. The spread of the virus was certainly shocking. And it has been a stressful period for almost everyone. Our daily lives have changed. We are managing fears on a daily basis. Dealing with new demands and uncertainty can be stressful.
So how do we make sure we don’t let anxiety overwhelm us?
A decade ago, Australian hospice worker Bronnie Ware published an article: Regrets of the Dying. In it she shared the 5 most common regrets that she heard over and over again from her patients:
✨ I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me
✨ I wish I hadn’t worked so hard
✨ I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings
✨ I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends
✨ I wish I had let myself be happier
Trauma can have a severe impact on people. Yet there are people who come out from traumatic events who are experiencing post-traumatic 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡. They experience ups and downs as they struggle with highly challenging life events, but it actually allows them to unleash their best qualities and eventually lead to happier lives. 🙂
And the statements they make, are the opposite of the regrets of the dying:
🌺 I’m better able to focus on my goals and dreams
🌺 I have a new sense of meaning and purpose in my life
🌺 I understand myself better. I understand who I really am now
🌺 I feel closer to my friends and family
🌺 My priorities have changed. I’m not afraid to do what makes me happy
What if we came out of the pandemic, no longer living a life where we feel those regrets? What if we began to change, one statement at a time?
Which statement would you like to be true for yourself?
(Sources: Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware, Superbetter by Jane McGonigal)
Manuela helps heart-centered professionals create a career and life they love. Contact her for a free 45 minute Career and Life Strategy session. Get more information on Manuela’s Website.
Originally published at https://www.pauercoaching.com on May 1, 2020.
