Everyone talks about the negatives associated with the pandemic. Yet, I haven’t seen so many people talk positively about what changed for the better during this time. Of course, I can only speak from experience, but from January 2020 until now, as I wrote in the last post, I can only really describe the previous two years with one word: unapologetic.
Why Unapologetic?
Seems like an odd choice, but I couldn’t think of any other better way to describe what has happened the last two years other than me learning not to apologize for my decisions. I’m no longer the kind of person who will apologize for choosing to do something that helps me.
Of course, I’m also not the kind of person to apologize for requesting the price I’m worth as a freelancer, but that’s an entirely different post by itself. So let’s just focus on one thing at a time: changing priorities.
Family > Everything Else
Many friends of mine are like family, and they are also counted in this. Family is the most important thing. If there’s anything that the pandemic opened my eyes up to, it’s the importance of spending time with loved ones.
It’s part of why I chose to go remote, work for myself, choose my hours. I honestly (even with the pandemic) took like 4 vacations last year that allowed me to see family more than I saw them in years prior. Before, I thought I had to put my “business first.” Excuse me while I laugh due to the idiocy of that perspective.
Family is my main priority. That means whatever I do, my family is at the forefront of my mind. That includes my siblings, parents, future kids, and of course, my husband and the fur babies. If you mess with any of them, you’ll be hearing from me, and that’s a promise, not a threat.
Focus on What You Can Control
I’ve written about this a lot before, but I have also really had to learn this–the hard way. The last year-to-date was pretty testy, to say the least. But, with the pandemic and everything else, I learned to let things go. Pretty quickly now, within reason.
Someone cuts me off on the road? Curse to myself, keep driving and count my blessings that I wasn’t hit.
Someone involves me in something I don’t want to be involved in? Tell them (again) no and hope they listen.
Someone blatantly treats me like crap for nothing, regardless of the length of time I know them for? They just made my decision easy: *snip snip*. Permanently. No second chances anymore.
Long story short: I try my best not to focus on what I can’t control. I find I’m happier that way, but I have moments where I have to recenter myself anyways. As a matter of fact, people can do what they wish, and I’ll always do my best to stay in my lane.
You Only Live Once
We are returning to Florida because it is useless to be in a place where we are unhappy, have no friends, and just spend all our time working just to pay more in taxes. People can say what they want about our decisions, but here’s the beautiful thing: they are our decisions!
We all make our choices, but we only live once. I want to live boldly, feel the sun on my skin, explore tropical destinations, vacation with my family, save money, visit the county fair, and make memories to last a lifetime.
We can’t do that here. Nuh-uh. No way. Florida allows us to have the life of our dreams and spend it with the people that we love, and I couldn’t be happier for it.
So it’s time for a shift in scenery, and thank goodness for that.
Thank You, COVID (Mostly)
The pandemic was sh*t for a lot, but many things really turned a beautiful corner. I can’t wait for what the future brings, but I know for myself the pandemic opened my eyes to so much.
The importance of family, faith, and freedom (in several areas of my life). Working for myself has changed my perception of how the world works and allowed me to dream bigger.
Most importantly, it allows me to prioritize what matters most: family, faith, and living our best lives without any regrets. Unapologetically, for as long as we are granted precious time on this beautiful planet.
The pandemic has changed me thus far, and for that, I am grateful for all that I have learned and all that I have yet to master and explore.
