12 Invaluable Lessons Learned in 1 Year

This a blog post that I did not imagine I would write in my life. Below you will find 12 invaluable lessons I learned from March 2020 to March 2021. Of course, I learned other lessons, but these are a few that I think many of us can relate to and hopefully take into the next 12 months being wiser. Let’s learn from the past so we can move forward into the next level of our future by reflecting on these invaluable lessons that can apply at any time.

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Invaluable Lessons:

1. Children grow quickly.

I was able to discover this through looking at my extended family members and friends. Since I am with my children all the time, it was harder for me to see their changes until I looked back at pictures. 

One year is such a long time in the life of a child especially when they are 2 years old when the pandemic begins or they are transitioning between growth stages. Interests change. Dislikes change.

2. Everyone’s mental health is paramount.

When you are in a house with people for a prolonged period of time, mental health is so important. It doesn’t matter what age the person is. Finding out how a person is feeling about the changes that are occurring in life is helpful, but also reaching out to professionals when needed is so important. We can’t do it alone. 

I was so thankful to be able to access virtual professionals when needed.

3. You can cook some really good meals.

I utilized the internet for inspiration at times. I made some really good meals. Following recipes is easy and needed when you are having to make so many meals. I did meal planning, meal prep, and crock-pot meals to assist me. Making sure variety is present with proteins, vegetables, starches, fruits. You can only eat so much blackened chicken- let’s get some variety in there. Delish website also has quick, easy meals that I used sometimes. An actual cookbook is a wonderful addition to any kitchen as well.

4. It’s going to take some time to get back into a regular schedule. 

When we started to go back to the store, back to work, back to the post office, I started to realize I would have a long way to go to tolerating how my weeks used to be filled. I tolerate my own company well. I think I am an introvert and a home body. I think it is going to take my children some time as well. Even though they may not readily admit it, they have enjoyed the home schooling ways for about 1 year now. They have been able to sleep in some during the week, eat what they want for lunch, have free time in between Math and Science for a brain break, wear pajamas until lunch. We learned that bed time is fluid. Yes, we have a schedule because I am a planner, but we were able to shift the whole daily schedule up or down depending on motivation.

5. You can read several books a month.

I used to think this was a lofty goal since having 3 children. I now realize it can be done with proper PLANNING, just like any other activity. You will make time for what you want to do. Reading became my escape during the pandemic. I read faith based books, non-fiction books, fiction books.

6. Don’t take things for granted.

I really miss sports, children’s schools performances, eating out with family and friends, and traveling. I have always enjoyed all these activities. And I realized how much when they were taken away. All of them. At the same time. I didn’t realize how much of my life was spent living through school performances. And marking days with countdown to vacation. Markers change when there is a pandemic. How many days have we been at this? How much longer will it last? I believe everyone bonded over the cancellations of so many events. So now we know, even more than before, don’t take things for granted and be thankful for what you have.

7. You can be hard to live with.

No comment.

8. Family time is the best time.

There are no other individuals who will love you in spite of yourself. Your family will do this. And during this past year, they had no choice. We spent so much time together. We were already were a family that had our weekly family events. We also tried to have individual time with the children by themselves. Sometimes this was harder to do, but we made it happen. With the family time overload, we were able to find new things to do together that were not our usual thing. But they soon became out thing like a neighborhood walk every day before lunch, playing basketball.

9. Working with children at home is a challenge.

This is one of those lessons I already knew which is why I sent my youngest “to school” before I had sent any of my other children in the past. You can be successful at your profession with your children at home, but it takes work and focus. Check out a post I made on this very topic. Use it for some ideas today!

10. Having a dance party can check off many boxes on your To-Do List.

Keeping up your work out routine when practicing social distancing can be hard. Also not going to the park when you have children that like to run around can also be a challenge. We did a lot of dance parties using the . They were good for a fun for everyone. They provided an outlet for the kids to work off extra energy. They also gave me some cardiovascular activity that I needed. 

11. Your children could be ready for a pet.

So I have had a tortoise since I was in college. My husband accepted the tortoise when we got married. Because he did not have a choice. I also had a chihuahua at that time as well. Again acceptance by default. My dog passed away when my oldest was under 1 years old. So it has been quite awhile since we had anything besides the tortoise as a pet. 

My children have been asking for a pet for awhile. Really a dog. 

So there was a family discussion about responsibilities and the care a pet other than a reptile takes. There was a lot of searching, deciding, looking. We wanted to adopt a rescue dog and I filled out numerous applications. We finally were matched in September 2020 with Coco. She has been fun for us all. Even my husband. Coco won our hearts.

12. Creativity can serve you well. 

We had to use our creativity for all areas of our life: learning, work, playing, date night, getting together with friends virtually, planning birthday parties virtually.

Yes, there were slower days but there were also days that we made the greatest memories. 

Your Invaluable Lessons

What invaluable lessons did you learn over the past year? Are any of them similar to mine? How will you use them in the future as we move through this year? Let me know in the comments below.

Remember to be you, be focused, and be well!

Find Your Flourish!

|Shanna|

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