As we round the turn of the world’s second Christmas spent in the psychological and physical confines of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus tends to be on what we can buy for loved ones (and ourselves) to distract ourselves from the weariness of further restrictions and booster shots. We feel an even stronger need than previous years to fill the void caused by the monotony and discouraging world news. We do so by giving and receiving the latest gadgets, clothes, toys, and other consumer items to those on our Christmas list, all bought through the convenience of e-commerce and home delivery.

But it would help us to take a step back and evaluate what the last two years have gifted us in terms of things that don’t take the form of… Stuff. What could we have gained as far as the mindsets, habits, personal development, and inner qualities that will last us much longer than the latest air fryer or matching lounge-wear set? (Both great gift items, I will admit.)

I started to make a list of the things that I consider lifelong gifts from the pandemic that have boosted my personal growth and the growth of those closest to me. I describe these as the pandemic’s intangible gains.

TEN UNEXPECTED LESSONS FROM THE PANDEMIC

• How to enjoy repetition

In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell says that repetition is the primary skill required to perfect a craft, whether that craft is writing, a sport, an instrument, or any creative endeavor. Being made to stay inside has given us that ability by forcing us to repeat the same indoor activities since March 2020, whether it’s a workout, work routine, or hobby. It would be interesting to see what we could create if we made repetition work for us and used it to better ourselves even in a small way.

• How to make our relationships work

Regardless of if you have been locked inside with your significant other, kids, siblings, parents, or in-laws, seeing and conversing with the same people every day can erode anyone’s positivity. If this hasn’t already destroyed your relationships, it’s undoubtedly strengthened them. Studying and improving our relationship patterns by taking accountability can enrich our lives forever.

• Unleashing our creativity

Whether it’s bread-making, designing effective home workouts, discovering your hidden passion for cross-stitching or creative writing, being left alone with ourselves has made us dig VERY deep when it comes to keeping ourselves happily occupied. Not only does this lead to creating new things, but it also develops creative problem-solving skills that we can apply to all realms of life.

• Re-evaluating the WHY of our jobs and careers

It’s funny to think about how much the social aspect of our jobs made doing our jobs easier. Not engaging with your favorite colleagues or mingling at after work cocktail events can make you re-evaluate if you even enjoy doing the job that pays your bills or if it ONLY pays your bills. Next time you reassess your current career choice, think about how you would feel if you had to do it alone at a desk in your house for another two years or more. If that image makes you feel content, you are in the right field. If not, it might be time for a change.

• Global empathy

Pre-pandemic, when was the last time you regularly thought about citizens’ health and living systems in countries like India, Africa, or Italy? Of course, we all partake in our annual charitable donations and local volunteering days, but the global nature of this pandemic has opened our eyes to the fragility of life everywhere and how we are all interconnected. The silent but deadly nature of the coronavirus has forced us to band together to care and fight for the health of humanity everywhere rather than offer thoughts and prayers for isolated world disasters.

• Increased value for our health

As much as the pandemic has taught us about global health on a macro level, it’s equally reinforced the importance of taking care of ourselves on a micro level. Valuing our healthy immune systems or taking steps to improve weak ones has been a high priority for the last two years. Whether you are pro vaccines or not, this is more relevant if you would instead take an organic and preventative approach to your healthcare.

• Being more intentional about how much we let the media influence us

It took disabling my Twitter notifications, deactivating my Instagram account, and turning off network news to finally feel some peace and control over my pandemic psychological state. I’m not saying that we have to have a “head in the sand attitude” about it, but it certainly helps to be more discerning about where we can get unbiased, calm, and factual information. It’s the job of traditional media outlets to keep us in an eternal state of caution about the future, but that state is not sustainable for too long. Critically thinking about what the media is feeding us will always help us in the long run.

• Grounding ourselves in the present moment

An alarming but equally liberating realization from this pandemic is that there is no real future to plan. All we have is now.  All we can currently predict about our lives in the present moment, and maybe the next few months. This mindset can drastically reduce anxiety (if it’s harnessed the right way) by focusing on our day-to-day wellbeing rather than getting caught up in complex and drawn-out plans for the future.

• Valuing quality people and connections that may come our way

The sheer scarcity of people we cross paths with these days can make us appreciate the ones that make an impression. Gone are the days when we take meaningful conversations for granted, assuming that there will always be another one on its way. This attitude can be applied to friendships, dating, or our work life and can improve the depth of our connections and how we approach relationships significantly.

• How to transform boredom to peace

The first few months of the coronavirus pandemic were simultaneously the months of a chronic boredom epidemic. Not being able to attend live events, partake in group workouts, or escape on a quick trip for a change of scene wreaked havoc on what we considered our sources of leisure or fun. But changing the paradigm on this bleak outlook and looking for and valuing seeds of inner peace within the boredom can elevate our life. Meditation, reading, rest, and quality human connection (even with just one person) can do wonders for our minds and souls.