From ‘P-Word Pivoting’ to Thriving: My 2022 reset commitments to myself (and my family)

The pandemic has radically changed the world as we know it. For many (if not all of us!), the ‘p-word’ has become all-consuming and constantly present in every conversation about work, home and relationships. I don’t think many of us will be mourning the end of 2021 and I recall feeling exactly the same way this time last year. Naively, I’d hoped that heading into 2022 we’d be through things and coming out the other side. But only yesterday my partner and I found ourselves once again pivoting our lives overnight due to CV19-restrictions and loss of our childcare support.

It’s the first working week of the new year, and I’m writing this note to myself (and anyone else who might find my musings helpful) to move away from my ‘pandemic pivoting’ stress-reaction and into a more thriving mindset. I’ve never been big on New Year resolutions, but life right now could do with some improving and more moments of joy. So, here are my 2022 reset commitments to myself (and my family)…

Things I will leave behind in 2021

• Don’t over-schedule my day. Use the flexibility I have to preserve time and protect important things like playing with my children and doing exercise.
• Don’t look at my phone first thing. Block out 30 minutes every morning for emails and enjoy scanning them with some chilled acoustic beats to set me up positively for the day.
• Don’t save things for ‘best’. Wear them – enjoy them. Sit at my home office rocking some killer heels just to strut round the kitchen if the mood takes me!
• Stop doom-scrolling. Set time limits on my social media apps. Mute or leave WhatsApp group chats without fear of missing out (goodbye FOMO). Keep a book in my bag.
• Drink less coffee and alcohol. These are not survival techniques! Eat a more vegan diet and ‘meat for a treat’ only.

Things I will take forward into 2022

• Use more instant messaging and voice notes to connect with people (versus defaulting to email). It’s more personal and creates stronger connections when working virtually.
• Embrace the pomodoro technique to help my concentration and stave-off mental fatigue: 25 minutes on, 5 minute break, repeat.
• Approach every interaction with positive intent. Ask questions, listen to others and share wisdom. Try to ‘pay forward’ a kindness whenever possible.
• Be polite to rude strangers and smile – it can be fun to positively offset others and knock them out of their funk.
• Always book an extra day off after family holidays to keep-up with life admin, honour reset commitments and make time for self-care.

If you’ve read to the end please leave a comment. Let me know your thoughts, any ideas you have or things that are working well for you!