When you think of the past year, many images from the pandemic come to mind. For example, people wearing masks, deserted city streets, and violent political clashes come to mind. However, there were also much-needed moments of inspiration throughout these difficult times.
As most of us isolated more at home, front-line workers, postal carriers, and health care professionals saved us. Over the past year, we realized how essential they truly are as we confronted the coronavirus pandemic. Our thanks can never be enough.
Thus, we look back at some of the inspirational quotes shared during the pandemic. Importantly, these words of encouragement helped us endure as we look forward to a brighter future.
Hashtag #QuarantineLife
Social media was invaluable for connecting with others as we faced isolation together. Although we often felt lonely and anxious, we could see how so many others felt the same. Thus, we could at least know we’re never truly alone.
Shared with the hashtag, #QuarantineLife, these posts helped during some very dark days. We share a few that we found, like treasures adrift on the web.
Nurturing Life During the Pandemic
For example, writer Maheen Humayun shared a simple but inspirational story with the #QuarantineLife hashtag.
For her, caring for a tiny plant helped remind her of the beauty and fragility of life. Even as she felt drained, she could focus energy on seeing its life flourish.
“I bought a tiny plant to remind myself of the way things bloom with life.
Every day, I routinely water it- trying not to give it too much, or too little.
I’ve never been good with plants, never been able to keep them alive or see them in all their beautiful blossomed glory—maybe a metaphor for the depression that wrecks me on the daily.
So I bought this tiny plant to remind myself that even on the days I don’t flourish, at least she will.”
Caring for the plant each day became a relieving ritual.
“Routine I once loathed and rebelled against becomes my high, and the simple act of giving life to this tiny plant becomes my little liberation,” she wrote.
Just focusing on simple, ordinary tasks helped us stay calm and feel less overwhelmed. It was strange to realize how seemingly mundane things could take on elevated importance and meaning.
For us, we realized how much we took for granted before the pandemic.
A Reminder to Reward Yourself
As the world continues to face the pandemic, it’s an inescapable reminder that life is fleeting. Each day, we felt gratitude if we managed to stay healthy and get by.
Often, we had urges to reward ourselves in at least small ways. For us, even small grocery purchases could suddenly give us great satisfaction. For example, a pint of ice cream or a fresh bunch of herbs became treasures with higher appreciation.
For social strategist Angela Brown, she encouraged everyone to treat themselves well. Notably, that includes simple things like reaching out to a friend or taking some time to rest.
“Apply for the job. DM the person. Buy the crab legs. Reserve your energy. Ask questions before you say yes. Invest in the bag or the shoes. If the tragedies of this year have taught us anything, it’s that this life is VERY temporary & you deserve good things. Do it,” she tweeted.
Related: Quotes from 3 of the Best Films that Helped Us Get Through the Year
Being Social While Social Distancing
For many people, socially distancing was a real challenge during the pandemic. Even the most introverted people became stir crazy with that “cooped up” feeling. Confronting the day left many with “pandemic fatigue.”
Fortunately, we could vent talking with friends and family, frequently on awkward video calls. Although the technology isn’t perfect, getting a glimpse of a loved one and hearing their voices is invaluable. Nevertheless, we sometimes needed a reminder to reach out.
Thus, the Wisdom Room, a UK-based holistic therapy practice, shared the following quote:
“Don’t let ‘social distancing’ lead to ’emotional distancing.’ Sometimes simply talking to our best friend is the best therapy…”
Founder Jane Eggleton shared another quote that really inspires, as we find ourselves stuck at home.
“Find peace inside your home and inside your heart. If we need to stay in, let’s embrace this as a time to not only find peace ‘inside’ our homes but to find peace ‘inside’ ourselves too. Then the magic can really happen.”
Always, finding peace requires inner reflection, a skill to empower us no matter what the future may bring.
Related: What the Pantone Color of the Year Says About the Last Five Years
Lighter Moments
Even while the pandemic news has often been depressing, we managed to find many lighter moments. Sharing those moments were healing and gave us a sense of camaraderie and solidarity.
As always, laughter remains the best medicine.
For one American mom, Twitter became an outlet to share lighter moments amid the pandemic. For example, she tweeted about how it’s getting harder to remember life before the pandemic.
“I’m starting to have a hard time remembering life pre-pandemic Like did I really keep my pants buttoned the whole day?? Wild,” she tweeted.
In another case, music publicist Eric Alper can’t recall when shaving was a daily habit.
Certainly, the casual dress code is a bonus for those fortunate enough to work from home. As we begin to get back to normal after the pandemic, “dressing for success” might need to be toned down a bit, at least for a while. Don’t you think?
Featured image: Image by HVesna via Pixabay, Pixabay License