5 positive lockdown lessons for personal development

If 2020 has taught us anything it’s that life doesn’t always go according to plan. The unprecedented levels of change we have been experiencing on a global scale over the last few months have been an emotional rollercoaster on a personal level too.

Lockdown in particular has had the effect of making many of us review and reassess our priorities. Against the backdrop of anxiety experienced due to the pandemic ‘out there’, we have had to slow down at home which has given us more time to reflect on life choices past, present and future.

Life Coaching can be useful in helping you address many areas of your life. With professional guidance to clear away blockages that stop you from realising your full potential, you can move forward towards as happier, more fulfilled life. At KlearMinds, our highly trained and experienced life coaches can help you gain clarity, build confidence, overcome blocks to success, achieve your goals and improve your quality of life. Why not visit our contact page and send us an enquiry?

During this year’s lockdowns, many people have reported personal insights that have shaped the way they want their future to unfold that is different from before. Keep an open mind and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves for personal growth.

1 – Embracing change

Whether you like it or not, the world as we know it is changing. Behaviours are shifting, thought patterns are taking new turns and our daily routines are getting an overhaul. While change is always unsettling, there are opportunities in the ‘new normal’ that are worth exploring. Ask yourself:

• What would you like more/less of in your life?
• What makes you happy and what should you let go of?
• Whose company lifts you up; who stresses you out?
• Which activities bring you pleasure; which are energy drains?
• What have you been ignoring over the last few years and need to focus on now?
• What will you do to implement changes for each of the above?

2 – The new world of work

The way we work has experienced a huge shift in recent months. Whether you are working from home, are on furlough, have been made redundant or seen your business profits plummet, it’s been an uncomfortable change that has compromised many people’s financial security. Ask yourself how your work life could look in the future:

• How would you be able to achieve a better work/life balance?
• Would flexible working practices improve your life and mental wellbeing?
• Is it time to redesign your career and how you work?
• Could you use the opportunity to explore launching your own business?
• What practical steps can you take to get closer to your ideal job/career?

3 – Healthy habits and routines

Daily routines establish a sense of control and security over how life unfolds. Many studies attest to the fact that people who stick to set daily routines experience significantly lower levels of stress and anxiety. Committing to a simple 30-minute morning routine will impact your mindset and how you experience the day ahead. Here are some simple ideas of what you could include:

• Getting up at the same time each day
• Hot lemon water or herbal tea to aid hydration and digestion
• 5 minutes of silent meditation or breathing exercises
• A short stretching or yoga practice
• Journaling to clear your mind and aid creativity

4 – Hobbies and creativity

With extra time at home, and less opportunity for socialising, now is a great time to rediscover old hobbies or explore new creative ways of expression. According to neuroscientists, creative hobbies increase brain activity and harness the power of neuroplasticity – the ability of the brain to change itself.  This, in turn, will help you think more creatively about other areas of your life too, allowing you to design a future you can feel good about.

Do you have a favourite pastime or hobby you could rediscover? Is there a new activity you’ve always wanted to try? From cooking and baking to painting or playing an instrument, crafting or gardening and much more besides, these activities provide joy and release from negative thought patterns.

5 – Your money or your life?

With a less financially secure future on the horizon, many people are rethinking their priorities regarding expenditure, shifting away from material purchases and towards investment in the self, in new experiences and ideas. Ask yourself:

• Would your money be better spent on a high street purchase or investing in learning a new skill?
• Would you be happier paying a decorator or doing the work yourself, with money left over to spend on a new business venture?

At KlearMinds, we provide a safe space in which you are gently encouraged to explore new directions, challenging previously held perceptions with support and feedback to help you move towards a more positive and authentic future.

If lockdown has given you the impetus to make real changes in your life, then take the next step and get in touch.