Disclaimer: We are not dismissing the severity of COVID — 19 nor the severity of the effects it is having on people all over the globe. Small business owners, certain service job employees, the elderly, children who rely on their meals from school… the list goes on. And of course, those who are hospitalized and those who have passed away — words can’t describe our sorrow. Fortunately, altruism is alive and well, which we can see from those who are donating their time and money to help those in need. With that being said, we’ve put together a list of positives we’re seeing coming out of these stressful and anxiety-inducing times. Remember, while we’ve lost control of what is happening around us, we can still control how we respond.

Our compiled list of positives from the Coronavirus Pandemic:

1. Connection (even if it means digitally). We may be stuck in our homes for the foreseeable future, but this doesn’t mean we cannot reach out to our loved ones via Facetime, Skype, Zoom, or any other digital communication app. We recently discovered an app called Marco Polo, which essentially lets us communicate with friends or family walkie talkie style, but with video.
2. Certain parts of the world, like China, are experiencing clean air quality for the first time in ages due to people staying home and not commuting.
3. Children have the opportunity to be more creative and free to express themselves while they take a break from conventional learning styles.
4. We unite as humanity, no matter your gender or ethnicity, rich or poor — everyone is equally affected.
5. We are eating healthier due to the fact that we are cooking for ourselves more than ever.
6. The lockdown may result in fewer deaths due to air pollution.
7. Respect for the elderly is being restored: grocery stores are holding specific hours only for the elderly to shop without anxious and greedy customers getting in their way.
8. We are spending less money on things we really don’t need.
9. We are spending more time in nature, as we are allowed to go on walks or jogs with members of our household. The notion of being ‘locked up’ gives us more motivation to go outside daily.
10. Never has there been a better time to extend our skill set, pick up a hobby, or crack open that book we have been dying to start.
11. We are getting more in touch with ourselves, as we have more time to reflect and meditate on what we truly value.

We hope this list has sparked a little positivity in these trying times. Remember, this time will soon pass and we will hug our friends and family with a new appreciation and love, we will spend weekends in nature with a new light in our eyes, and we will not forget that taking a pause from everyday life can actually be quite beautiful. ❤