Making the Most of Unexpected
COVID-19 Life Changes
by
Jennifer Scott
The whole world is in a state of transition and upheaval. We are all figuring out how to socialize while far apart; navigate the world while keeping others safe; and stay flexible amid the ever-changing guidelines that allow our communities to cope. However, some of us are facing additional challenges right now, big and small. We’re here to help you figure out how to manage these changes, from dealing with job loss to fixing the haircut you gave yourself. Here are some ways to make the most of this time:
Switching Careers
Losing your job due to COVID-19 restrictions is obviously a stressful and unwelcome change. However, it’s important to find the silver linings you can in times like these, and this could be your chance to look into starting a new career. For example, anyone with strong writing skills and a head for marketing can look into finding freelance work. Businesses are always on the lookout for people who can manage Twitter marketing, bloggers, and other skilled marketers who can help boost their business. Digital marketing has particularly big potential in the current climate.
Take some time to go over your resume and think about how your skills could carry over to different industries. Try to consider which industries might be good for your mental health as well as your pocketbook. When you apply, make sure to mention in cover letters that you’re changing industries, and use it as a chance to defend how your skills overlap. Hiring managers will be impressed by the fact that you’ve thought critically about how you’d fit into the role— something many more traditional candidates may not have managed to prove.
Working Out at Home
Does it feel like the universe has banished you back to the couch? Don’t let gym closures rob you of your progress toward your health goals. There are tons of ways you can still work out at home and maintain your fitness level during lockdown. For example, you can start doing a regular bodyweight routine. This is a great option for anyone since you don’t need any equipment and can do it with relatively little space.
You can also hit your cardio goals without the gym. If the weather is nice, you can go for runs or brisk walks outside, which are social-distancing approved activities. If you have to stay indoors, check out cardio routines on Youtube. There are tons of really fun options ranging from dance fitness to kickboxing to high-intensity interval training. Try a few out and save the ones you like the most to come back to another day.
The Quarantine Haircut
With no access to barbershops and beauty salons, many people have picked up the clippers or scissors themselves during quarantine. Although there have been success stories, there are also a ton of people who have discovered why stylists have to go through vigorous training to cut hair. Turns out it’s hard to do right and ridiculously easy to mess up.
If you’re dealing with a bad self-haircut, don’t panic. The first and most important thing to keep in mind is that hair grows back, so all hairstyles are temporary. You will eventually be able to get to a stylist who can fix your style and turn it into something flattering. You may wind up having to live a while with a look you wouldn’t normally pick, but that doesn’t mean you’ll look bad. Besides, trying out a fresh look is a great way to get out of your comfort zone and see if you don’t wind up discovering something you actually love! In the meantime, resist the urge to try and fix the cut itself— once a self-haircut goes south, more trimming usually just makes things worse.
There are plenty of transitions we’re all experiencing due to COVID-19, and some of them are easier to face than others. Fortunately, there are ways to maximize even the most difficult changes this time brings. Focus on finding ways to move forward and make tomorrow brighter. You might just look back on this time as the catalyst for some of your very best decisions.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
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