The World Health Organisation recently declared the Covid-19 crisis to be the biggest event to affect the world since World War II.
History shows us that we often emerge from times of great crisis changed, both as individuals and as a society. As we sit at home during lockdown, we have an opportunity to reflect and consider what we might learn from the pandemic.
There is no doubt that people are feeling a bit scared. We have little control over what is happening to us, and we don’t really know what the future will hold.
But the other thing that keeps cropping up when I talk to family and friends is that they are feeling thankful and being forced to live in the present is making them more aware of their environment.
Block out the noise
One of the truisms of Financial wellbeing is that more money doesn’t bring more happiness. Following the principle of Maslow‘s hierarchy of needs, once our physiological and safety needs have been satisfied, more money doesn’t generally increase our wellbeing or indeed our happiness.
However, we live in a society where we tend to equate wealth with success. The media and advertising people want us to think that we need to buy more stuff and to earn more money. This noise of daily life often prevents us from realising what really does make us happy.
Now that we are locked down at home, now that the noise has been turned off (or at least down), we have time to reflect and think about what influences us and what are we truly thankful for.
The important stuff.
Perhaps the idea that nature has taken over and made us all pause for a moment is a bit romantic, but nevertheless, when before have we had the space and time to consider what is really important?
In order to maintain our wellbeing, we can stop listening to the incessant noise of daily life and focus on what matters. When we do this, we remind ourselves of the importance of social relationships; being healthy and having a purpose in life.
Everyone is equal in the eyes of a virus which is why we will always talk to you about your wellbeing and what makes you happy, rather than just about your money.
If you want to talk about more important stuff, do call us for a friendly chat.
With thanks to Financial Wellbeing Guru Chris Budd for the inspiration and some of the words for this piece.