We have now lived through one full year of pandemic restrictions. This one year anniversary of living with COVID-19 feels heavy – the suffering continues and the end date is not clear. I imagine that many of you have been reflecting on what you were doing last March before the shut down of schools, businesses, parks, cultural institutions, and modes of travel took place.
I have reflected on many “lasts” – the last time I hosted people in my home, hugged many of my dear friends and relatives, walked my youngest child to the bus stop, went to a restaurant or big event… the list goes on.
Beyond the pandemic…
We have also been through a year of long overdue reckoning with our history as a country and world. Wider cross-sections of people have acknowledged and taken action to start lessening the racial injustice in this country as well as the injustice expressed through educational, economic, environmental and health arenas, among others. We’ve lived through climate disasters, political strife and anxiety, and general uncertainty about the health and future of our world. It’s a lot to bear psychically along with the everyday stresses of parenting, working, and being part of a family and community.
And yet, there have been many beautiful moments of connection, awakening, exploration, tinkering, and having fun in new ways. We have needed those moments to feel joy and variety.
In light of this one year anniversary, I’d like to offer a dozen reflection questions for you to ponder and share with others. As those of you who work with me know, I’m a big believer in the power of reflection for insight and awareness.
Photo by Kelly Neil on Unsplash
12 Months – 12 Questions ~ Taking Stock of this Past Year
Ponder these questions on your own. Share with your family or friends.
Questions about New Awareness:
What am I most proud of myself for this past year?
How would I describe the new pleasures I have enjoyed, alone or with family or friends?
Which parts of my home or neighborhood have I discovered and appreciated in new ways?
How have I been enjoying the outdoors more?
Questions about Pain, Loss and “Grit”
Which losses have been hardest for me this year? How have I survived those losses?
What have I struggled with most this year? How have I asked for help?
Which aspects of the shutdown have been hardest on me? How have I responded?
What has kept me up at night worrying? How have I learned to regain a sense of calm?
Questions about Growth:
What am I learning about myself in terms of my relationship to risk and restriction? How has this worked with others?
If I could go back in time and give myself some wise advice for how to best deal with the pandemic experience, what would I tell myself?
What new things have I started doing? Any new habits formed?
How have I helped others these past 12 months?
Baker’s Dozen Bonus Question: Title of the Month
If I were to give a title to each of the past 12 months, what would they be? What would capture each month’s big moments?
Please share your reflections with me! I’d love to hear from you.
Choose your favorite question and share your answer in the comment section or email me at am*@********ns.com. I’ll curate your answers to share next time. I will keep them anonymous or share your name as you wish.
Connecting with each other helps us make sense of this past year and enter a new season. I look forward to hearing from you.
Need help figuring out spring transitions or rebalancing family relationships? Schedule a call with the link below.
Related Resources:
Want to hear from teens? Check out this article from the NYTimes: Teens on a Year that Changed Everything
Need some mindfulness? Check out my blog from last year at this time:
3 Ways to Lift Your Spirits in Uncertain Times
Focus on Self-Care: Excellent ideas from the City of Boston
