...and how to thrive during the 2nd year of a pandemic.
Notice I said "thrive" and not "survive".
The media will have you think that everyone, but everyone is struggling, emotionally, mentally, and physically. It's not true.
This pandemic has been inconvenient, even when we ourselves were sick, but we haven't struggled. If anything it's made us kick into high gear and become more self sufficient.
I haven't decided whether other people are truly struggling or if they've been immobilized by the shock of not being able to do the things they normally do. I think it's the latter for many, particularly young people.
It's been sort of an adventure--for me, at least. Not that it hasn't been a nuisance at times. I've come down with more sinus infections and skin allergies in the past 12 months than is normal for me. Most of the time I've sucked it up, though a couple of times I've had to get medical intervention. Thank heaven for tele-medicine.
For someone who hates to go to the doctor in a normal year, I really dread it during pandemic season. While I'm not afraid to be out and about, I don't go looking for trouble either. A doctor's office is a breeding ground for all sorts of transient bugs. That's where we picked up the virus in the first place.
My doctor asked me if I wanted to get my mammogram, colonoscopy, and bone density tests, but I flat out told her I don't plan on going to any medical facilities unless it's an emergency. She understood completely and didn't press the issue again.
As for thriving in an uncertain world, I think it's a matter of perspective. I don't like things as they are, but I know how to rise above uncertainty.
The answer is simple. Self sufficiency.
I don't mean stocking up on canned goods and bullets, though that never hurts.
I mean being able to handle a crisis without government intervention. My personal opinion is when the government gets involved a lot more palms get greased than the ones who really need it.
Every time I think about Pakistan getting $25 million for democracy/gender studies just so US citizens can get a measly $600 it makes me furious. And that's just the tip of the 5600 page stimulus bill for items OTHER than covid relief. How do these politicians even sleep at night? And who do you think is paying for this?
I'm tired of giving money to other countries. But it's all part of the system, one hand scratching another's back instead of focusing on its own citizens.
That's government for you. Spare me their BS.
Here's what I do need:
I need a doctor on occasion, but I don't necessarily have to see one in person. (knock on wood)
In a normal year, I might need a mechanic, a repairman, a grocer, and a butcher, but in a pinch we can handle all those jobs on our own.
I'm not particularly mechanical, but I'm exceptionally good at following directions. If Greg can't show me how to fix something, YouTube can.
The more you can do for yourself, the less you need from others. It's self sufficiency at its finest.
The other part of self sufficiency is getting out of debt. Back when we had a mortgage and a car note, I was constantly plotting ways and means for paying down our debt. My mission was to owe no one. It was the happiest day of my life when we became completely debt free.
The same went for when we wanted to buy a new house. In the 80s, we saved every spare penny for an entire year so we could put down a substantial down payment on a house with enough left over to start repairs and renovations. We paid that house off in nine years.
It was part of a plan. A long term plan to be sure, but one we adhered to with determination because it liberated us from debt.
That brings me to the third piece of thriving instead of surviving.
Steadfastness. When we're subjected to micro-reads, sound bites, and capsule news, we are groomed to be impatient and expect instant gratification. It's a slippery slope because it also trains us not to stay the course when things get tough (or boring).
If you want to thrive, you can't just give up when things become inconvenient. This is probably the toughest thing to do because we've been softened up by society. Someone is always there to pick you up, be it a government program, a loan, help from family, and even Go Fund Me pages.
For the record, I'm not against charity as long as the person in question is truly in need. If I read on social media that they then had a mani/pedi or drinks with the girls, they're abusing the kindness of good people and that makes them jerks in my book. This is why we generally only donate to people with sick pets. I know what it is to spend your last dollar on a sick dog and I'll gladly help if I can.
I didn't mean to get off topic but it's a sore point with me when people have their hands out before they've really worked their butts off. With social media it's easy to ferret the fakers.
I've worked hard all my life and I know what it is to go without. But guess what? It was no big deal (though I'll admit to being tired of eating rice and pasta for 3 years back in the 70s). Deprivation only made me that much more grateful when I did climb out of that hole.
Bonus Tip: Build your emergency fund. If you don't have an emergency fund, start saving for one this very minute. This is the cornerstone of self sufficiency.
***
We've been given a great gift with this virus. This is your chance to show what you're made of.
The first year was fraught with a lot of fumbling and putting the right infrastructure into place, but this year there's no excuse not to make it your best year ever.
Issac Newton invented calculus and developed his theories for gravity, motion, and optics. He was 24 years old and in seclusion for 18 months during his era's pandemic.
What can you accomplish in the same amount of time?
Have goals. Write that book, build that house, learn to cook, garden, or homeschool your kids. Learn a trade or teach one. You may never get this opportunity again in your lifetime.
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