What has the last year and a half revealed about you that you didn't know about yourself?
Of course it's a cliché that the pandemic has changed everything -- but just because it's a cliché doesn't make it any less true. Even those of us fortunate enough to have made it through the past 18 months relatively intact and unscathed have had to do some soul-searching -- about our lives, careers, priorities, etc. I'm curious, though, what others here on the Dots might have learned about themselves since, say, March 2020 that they never knew before. (Or never admitted before.)
I'll start: I got tired of my own voice. My writing -- articles, essays, profiles, reviews -- struck me as painfully self-involved. I stopped writing, and started listening. And to quote old Robert Frost, "that has made all the difference."
Anyone else?
Replies4
- I thought I loved chilling at home. That I was a "home bird", until I was inside 24/7! The satisfaction I receive from visiting a coffee shop or the cinema was greatly underestimated. So, now I know I won't take these moments of freedom for granted.
- The last year has revealed unwell ness /dysfunction & generational trauma , but with it came revelation , immense growth & self awareness ! Allowing me too be more present ,own my truth & fulfill my creative potential!
- @Brinda Wachs " ... I put my arms around her, that was all that mattered." I can relate, Brinda. Our little family was crammed into our not-large apartment for days and nights on end, and while we got on each other's nerves, I was often struck by the realization of how lucky we were to be so continually enmeshed in each other's lives -- and yet we still seemed to actually like each other.
- I was reminded that love is the answer. Isolation and disconnectedness had its silver linings- we were each as individuals turned back upon ourselves. Self reflection was inevitable. Yoga, meditation, creative works became a mainstay for me. But when my daughter visited after a year and I put my arms around her, that was all that mattered. This revelation tipped off a creativity and love explosion which carried me all the way through to the now more open environment and the reminder of the importance of travel! But yeah, listening and shifting from Yang (action) to Yin (receptivity) seem to be unexpected pandemic gifts:).
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