It seems like just yesterday we were all looking forward to the start of a new year with hopes of a fresh start and a bit more calm in our lives. But as usual, life had other plans for us. Well, what happened in the mean time, I mean, seriously, … the world was hit by an unprecedented pandemic, and our daily routines have been upended in ways we never could have imagined, and we’re raising a son who has way more energy that you can imagine.
Yet, amidst all this chaos that the lives of young parents have in them, there’s something strangely exhilarating about the unpredictability of life. I mean I like planning ahead but I think Paulo Coelho said it best: “if you think adventure is dangerous, try routine; it is lethal.” And that adventure? It is there knocking, just when you think you have everything figured out, something unexpected comes along and shakes things up.
It might be scary at first, but it can also be liberating. When the pandemic, or pandy as our son called it, hit we were scared for our loved ones, for ourselves, and it didn’t seem like it was going to get better.
There were ups to those downs though.
For instance, take the sudden shift to remote work that many of us experienced in those years. It was daunting at first – learning how to navigate new technology and figuring out how to balance work and home life without any physical boundaries – but it also opened up new possibilities. I know a lot of people who previously thought they couldn’t work from home discovered that they could actually be even more productive in their own space. And parents who were used to rushing through their mornings found themselves with extra time to spend with their families. And it helped us grow closer together as a family.
As a parent myself, I’ve had the opportunity to witness firsthand how my four-year-old son has adapted to these changes in his own way. He went from attending preschool every day to suddenly being at home with me all day long while I worked from my computer. At first, it was challenging for both of us as we adjusted to this new routine. But over time, we found ways to make the most of our time together – from going on nature walks around our neighborhood to doing art projects or by continuing our cooking sessions together.
Or consider the way that people have rallied together during this time. We’ve saw countless acts of kindness from neighbors helping each other out with groceries or simply checking in on one another. We’ve found new ways to connect with loved ones through virtual hangouts and creative social distancing measures. Now I am not going to say that the those years were in anyway easy or enjoyable for everyone – far from it. Many people lost loved ones or struggled with financial hardship or mental health challenges due to COVID-19. But even amidst such darkness, there were moments of lightness and joy that remind us of what’s truly important in life.
During that time I thought about making a post, updating and connecting, but even as challenging as that time was, the mundane aspect of life was still there eating into the day. And at the end of it? I was too tired. But it helped me put the all the craziness going on around me, then and now, into order. It taught me to try and embrace the unexpected instead of fighting it. Who knows what new opportunities or connections might come your way as a result? Life is unpredictable, but that’s also what makes it so exciting. It is the adventure that we all try so hard to find.
Now I know what you are asking yourself – is Hannah back? I don’t know – but I would like to think that she is.